ISA Raises Funds for Room to Read
This article was updated in September 2024:
In memory of our Head of Lower School, Susan Loban, and her unwavering commitment to education and equality, we are proud to announce that the funds raised from the 2024 Room to Read Book Sale have been donated and matched in her name, totalling €17,200. For the past 15 years, Susan wholeheartedly supported Room to Read and she contributed to school events and off-campus initiatives.
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The ISA Room to Read Book Sale was once again a huge success! Together, we managed to raise over €8,700 to support access to education in countries across the world, with over 3000 books being donated and repurchased.
Over the past 12 years, the funds raised by the ISA community have created a significant impact. The proceeds were used to contribute to the education of numerous children, provide essential teacher training and resources, and sponsor the printing of books in the home languages of the countries supported by Room to Read.
With their motto ‘world change starts with educated children’, this global organisation works to ensure that all children receive a quality education. They focus on promoting literacy and gender equality, aligning with ISA’s belief in educating for international understanding.
Grade 2 teacher and Lower School Green Team Coordinator, Marta van der Meer, has nurtured ISA’s relationship with Room to Read over the past twelve years. Reflecting on the impact of the Book Sale, Marta emphasises its ability to transcend age and language barriers within the ISA community and instil empathy and global citizenship in our students.
“The Room-to-Read Book Sale is an event that truly crosses all ages in all parts of our community. It embraces the variety of different languages in our community and it allows us to come together to foster not only a love for reading in our students but also for empathy and for helping. The Book Sale fosters a culture of learning and empathy within the ISA community while directly supporting education and literacy initiatives in developing countries. Each sale makes a meaningful impact on education for those in need.”
Grade 3 student Ellie enjoyed her experience of volunteering every day at the book sale to help everyone have a chance to learn in the future.
“I like to help out because it helps people go to school and I think it is important to learn. If you don’t go to school you don’t have good learning, and if you don’t have good learning, you don’t create a positive impact when you grow up.”
