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Empathy to Impact is a podcast designed for educators dedicated to global citizenship education. We explore themes of sustainability, service learning, student leadership, and community engagement, empowering students to create a more just, equitable, and sustainable future.
While educators grasp the “why” and “what” of global citizenship, this podcast delves into the “how”. Through engaging storytelling and student voices, we provide authentic connections to curriculum, and showcase practical tools and frameworks that you can implement in your classroom.
By viewing learning experiences through the lens of Empathy to Impact, we can inspire students to take meaningful steps toward becoming global citizens and transform the culture of education in our schools.
Join us as we amplify the voices and stories of students who take ownership of their learning and make a difference in their communities.
This podcast is brought to you by Inspire Citizens.
Scott Jamieson: Second… Welcome to the Empathy to Impact podcast. We are…
Scott Jamieson: at Shrewsbury International School in Bangkok today, and I am connecting with some Year 9 and Year 10 changemakers.
Scott Jamieson: who were involved in a really cool project, a community project that they've been working on, and I'm really excited to connect with them here at the end of the school year to talk about their work and celebrate some of the things they were able to accomplish this year.
Scott Jamieson: But before we get started, I'm going to pass over to them to say hello, and introduce themselves.
YTL SHR: Hello, my name is Jeannie, I'm in Year 9 at Shrewsbury International School.
YTL SHR: Hello, my name is Pam Tam from Year 10, and I'm also from Shrewsbury International School. Hi, my name is Anya, and I'm also in Year 10, and I also go to Shrewsbury International School. Hi, my name's Kara, I'm in Year 10, and I also go to Shrewsbury International School.
Scott Jamieson: I am so excited to have all of you on the podcast today, and I wonder if we can start just by…
Scott Jamieson: Connecting our audience with the big picture. How did you guys get started with your collaboration with Mercy Center? Maybe share a little bit about what they…
Scott Jamieson: R, in terms of, like, their program, and how you guys came to be collaborating with them.
Scott Jamieson: Go ahead when you're ready.
YTL SHR: Who's my sister? Who's my sister?
YTL SHR: Ginny, do you want to go? So, the HDF Mercy Center is based in Thailand, and they are a charity that supports underprivileged people, such as children, or orphans, or those with HIV and AIDS, and
YTL SHR: They do many projects, including opening kindergartens to support young children when their parents can't be with them.
YTL SHR: And… We've supported them.
YTL SHR: with a variety of initiatives over the many years, which includes gift drops during Christmas, bake sales, non-uniform days, and also our recent run for a Reason.
YTL SHR: which raised 368,000 baht to improve the kindergarten environment there for 120 kids as well as 11 teachers. So, the fund that we raised from non-uniform days as well as relay races, were used for sealing the
YTL SHR: Their classrooms, installing air conditioning, solar panels, and air filter to make the environment better for the children to learn in and for the teachers to teach in.
Scott Jamieson: Thanks for sharing that.
Scott Jamieson: When you guys have been to visit the Mercy Center Kindergarten.
Scott Jamieson: What challenges have you noticed that they have to face that are maybe a little bit different than what you guys have to face when you come to school?
YTL SHR: Well, when we first arrived there, we saw so many things that were different to us. Of course, we know that, like, we are much more, like, privileged than them, so some changes can be… can be seen a lot easier, like, for example, if we just go, like, base… like, for, like, the basic, their classrooms don't really, like, don't have air cons like us.
YTL SHR: They… they mostly go by fans, and some of, like, their tables, or, like, stationery, or just, like, normal school supplies, they…
YTL SHR: It doesn't… it's not as, like, good as our schools.
YTL SHR: as much as that. And some things that surprise me or, like, any other people, is that sometimes
YTL SHR: we… I feel like we take these things for granted, like, the thing we have at our school, and, like, what we see every day. We might just think, oh, maybe all other schools have, like, the same thing as us as that, but when we finally actually go see with, like, myself, when I get to see with, like, with my own eyes what they face, it makes me really think on how, like, actually how lucky we are, and how different, like, these kids
YTL SHR: Based in, like, their daily lives.
Scott Jamieson: Anyone want to add anything to that? Or… do we feel carved… er, sorry.
Scott Jamieson: Do you feel that Anya answered that adequately? You guys good?
Scott Jamieson: All right.
Scott Jamieson: Why did you personally choose to get involved in this project with Mercy Center?
YTL SHR: Well, because, like, I heard about, like, the opportunity through school, and, like, I partly enjoy art, so, like, I thought it would be, like, a meaningful way to, like, use those creativity skills and apply it to the work.
YTL SHR: And also, I've also heard about, like, the challenges the students have, like, endured in, like, like, people in, like, Mercy Center, so I would…
YTL SHR: like, I would like to, like, use those skills to paint on the walls to, like, create a better place for them, because
YTL SHR: Sometimes they have to deal… deal with things that we might not know as a person, so by doing so, it could stimulate, like, the children's, like.
YTL SHR: Imaginative skills, creative skills, and also, for the teachers, it offers, like, a brighter atmosphere for them, which makes, like, their, like, connections, like, stronger.
Scott Jamieson: Anyone else want to share? Why did you guys choose to get involved in this project?
YTL SHR: So, our school has worked for Mercy Center for a long time, and when I heard about this chance to volunteer for this particular project, I immediately wanted to join, because I've always loved art, and I believe that it can make people feel good, so painting a school wall felt like a perfect fit.
YTL SHR: And once I heard about the whole plan, I knew it was a really special project, and I just had to be a part of it.
Scott Jamieson: Jeannie and Anya? Anya? What are you guys thinking?
YTL SHR: Oh, so…
YTL SHR: One of the reasons, as they both said, that they really enjoy art, that includes me as well. Art has been one of my favorite subjects ever since I started, like, the GCSEs, but one of, like, the biggest reasons that I wanted to join in into these projects is to mainly, like, help the children have, like, a better environment for them, maybe?
YTL SHR: what if we just, like, kept… if we didn't, like, paint those walls, and the walls would have, like, just been the same? Maybe… we don't know how big of an impact we have made on them ever since we painted on those walls. Maybe the next day they walked… they walked out, and they saw all these, like, beautiful walls painted, they might immediately feel better about, like, the school, or even themselves, like that. So, like, I wanted… I wanted to create an even better environment
YTL SHR: I meant for, like, the children staying at the Mercy Center.
YTL SHR: I also think that, like, like, doing this project wasn't just about, like, painting on a wall to make it look nicer, but instead, like, it encourages the students there to, like, to think, like, expressively and, like.
YTL SHR: yeah, express their joy.
Scott Jamieson: Jeannie, when did you choose to get involved in this project?
YTL SHR: So…
YTL SHR: I knew about this project through a school newsletter, and it immediately caught my attention, because I feel that community service has always been something I really enjoyed. Like, I enjoy, like, the many aspects, such as getting to know different people.
YTL SHR: Working and collaborating with
YTL SHR: people outside and inside school, and I feel that all these experiences are really rewarding, and I…
YTL SHR: And benefit other people, and…
YTL SHR: I wanted to try to have a more broader impact on, like, the local community. Instead of just, like, helping those inside school, I wanted to try and help those outside school as well.
Scott Jamieson: Well, thank you to all of you for sharing that. I think it's really important that when we think about our own position as students at an amazing school like Shrewsbury International School, I mean, there's a lot of really cool opportunities
Scott Jamieson: to… Help some other people in our community.
Scott Jamieson: In a collaborative way, working together. And when we think about this ongoing collaboration and partnership that your school has with Mercy Center.
Scott Jamieson: Why is it important that the Mercy Center Kindergarten is right in your community? How does that make the collaboration easier than something that might be further away in another country? Why pick… why does it help to pick an organization right in our local community to collaborate with?
Scott Jamieson: How does that make things a little bit easier when we're working together?
YTL SHR: I believe that by having them, like, really near us, it makes it a lot easier, as it is, like, easier to, like, maybe communicate with them. We could, like, ask them about, like, their thoughts on this project, and, like, what impact it has on them. Instead of, like, working in, like, a foreign country, this connection could be, like, connection, and, like, this communication could, like, be much
YTL SHR: Part of us.
YTL SHR: to, like, communicate between one another. So, I think it's… it… it…
YTL SHR: It made us… it has made us do this a lot easier, that the Mercy Center wasn't that far away from our school. And maybe if we start off small, like, in… near our school, maybe one day we could go even further and even bigger, and it would be much easier than just, like, skipping to, like, the furthest step.
Scott Jamieson: Anyone else have anything to add to that? That's a great answer, thank you.
YTL SHR: So, by having them in our local area, since…
YTL SHR: The people we worked with, mostly, like.
YTL SHR: grew up in the same sort of area, and also by doing community service near us, we get to tackle problems in our local area, and help to make the living environment for those, like, near us who have maybe even, like.
YTL SHR: Who understands, like, what… It's light…
YTL SHR: to live, like, in Thailand, and…
YTL SHR: Although they're living situ… Although their situation may be, like.
YTL SHR: less fortunate than us, I feel that they…
YTL SHR: Do share some experiences with us, and…
YTL SHR: This makes us, like, have more empathy, and…
YTL SHR: Helps us understand issues that affect people in our local society.
Scott Jamieson: Yeah, so I'm hearing an opportunity to build empathy, and make connections, and work collaboratively, and have a positive impact rate in our community. I think these are all fantastic reasons, so thank you all for sharing that.
Scott Jamieson: I wonder if we could think about the mural that you guys designed, the big wall that was painted, and it looks… I've seen some pictures, and it looks absolutely amazing.
Scott Jamieson: How did that come together from the very beginning? Was there some conversations with some of those students, or…
Scott Jamieson: This is a big project. It was many, many meters long. I think… I don't know what the area of the wall is, but looking at the pictures, this is a big, big space.
Scott Jamieson: Sorry, pardon me.
Scott Jamieson: So this is a big, big space.
Scott Jamieson: Tell me how you came up with your plan, and then kind of work through the process to go from the beginning with a blank wall to something with a big, beautiful mural on it when you finished.
YTL SHR: like…
YTL SHR: we all collaborate with each other, and, like, we've also, like… I also, like, felt like I have, like, improved my leadership skills, because, like, while, like, working with, like, my team members,
YTL SHR: Everyone, like, had a chance to, like, share their ideas.
YTL SHR: And… Like, every… everyone's voice is heard, and their ideas are, like, all, like, merged into, like.
YTL SHR: Into, like, the results of, like.
YTL SHR: the results, like, of the painting on the wall, which, like, overall, like, I feel like…
YTL SHR: The more, like, people there are, the better the results is.
YTL SHR: Like, that we made.
YTL SHR: Kyra, do you want to explain how the Year 12s were involved?
YTL SHR: Yeah, so basically, it wasn't just us helping with the project, they were, like, many people helping us. The year 12, they were, their task was basically to design
YTL SHR: what we're gonna paint on the wall on their iPads, and when we got the design, our job was basically to just show up on that day and just sketch it out and, like, paint the wall.
YTL SHR: Jane said.
YTL SHR: And along…
YTL SHR: with us, there were junior school kids helping us, and I feel like it's important for them to also, do projects like these, because
YTL SHR: They let us actually show up and make a difference with our own hands, and it's one thing to donate money, but it's a totally different experience to spend your own time physically transforming a space, and also, I feel like this is a good opportunity for the kids to learn
YTL SHR: And make them realize how it's important to give back to the community.
Scott Jamieson: I like that a lot, and I think that you're absolutely right.
Scott Jamieson: a lot of times, when we're thinking about fundraising, and I think that's important, but we don't have that same personal connection compared to when we're involved in direct service, where Kyra, just like you're saying, where we're donating our time and getting personally invested in these projects.
Scott Jamieson: So we talked about how this is a collaboration between you guys in Year 9 and Year 10. We have some input from our Year 12s, as well, as part of the designers of the mural.
Scott Jamieson: And we have some junior school students involved as well.
Scott Jamieson: How did the students at the Mercy Center
Scott Jamieson: How did those students play a role? Did they have a chance to give input, or…
Scott Jamieson: How were they involved in this project?
YTL SHR: So, at first, they… They gave us, like, ideas, and…
YTL SHR: the people there asked, like, the children what sort of theme they maybe wanted, and the children said Disney-themed characters. So, based on that, the Year 12s did their design, and we transferred it onto the wall and painted it in really bright colors.
Scott Jamieson: Yeah, it's absolutely beautiful, the work you guys did.
Scott Jamieson: What challenges did you run into as artists?
Scott Jamieson: when you were there transferring a picture on an iPad, or on a printed piece of paper, and turning that into a scaled-up version on this big wall. What challenges did you guys run into as you were
Scott Jamieson: Working on the mural.
YTL SHR: Oh, we actually went through, actually, a lot of challenges.
YTL SHR: For example, the wall, of course, in the building, it's huge, and, like, the paper is, like, really small, so we had to, like, scale it correctly to be able to, like, transfer it on the wall, and, like, that… and that took us some time. We were assigned to about, like, one wall, two people, two people per wall, and then we had to, sketch… sketch the diagram out.
YTL SHR: So, for example, my job was on, like, the turtle at, like, the far end of the wall, and me and, like, some of my friends, we had to, like, do some grid drawings on its diagram, and then transfer the grid onto the wall to be able to, like, sketch out the exact proportion of the turtle. And, of course, it took me many, many tries. I think, approximately, I rubbed it out and, like, did it again about, like.
YTL SHR: 3 to 4 times before we could get, like, the perfect,
YTL SHR: Love the perfect, turtle drawing. And…
YTL SHR: Some other problems was, of course, it's really hot, and, like, we live in Thailand as well, so heat was one of the problems, but we all, like, the staff over there was, like, actually really nice. They had, like, these umbrellas where they put up for us, so we were in the shade most of the time as well.
YTL SHR: And one more thing we had to, like, put in, like, our control was on the next day when we brought in the junior kids, like, the junior kids, they probably don't have as a steady hand as us, so when they were, like, painting with us, we had to, like, maybe outline it for them at first, and then they could go in with, like, the color.
YTL SHR: And that was one of the things where every single one of us had to put into thought before we told them… before we told them where to come.
Scott Jamieson: Anyone else want to add anything to that? Eridania do a fantastic job.
YTL SHR: Yep.
Scott Jamieson: Any, I think your math teacher, I hope they're listening, using your scale model, like, going from using scale drawings. I think this is a really exciting application of math skills, so I hope your teachers are listening. That's really cool.
Scott Jamieson: You guys talked about this a little bit already, and about… how the…
Scott Jamieson: art aspect of this project really drew you in, and encouraged you to be involved. So, I want to ask kind of a bigger question about that.
Scott Jamieson: How does this project… or why… I'm gonna see if I can rephrase this, and we'll edit this out.
Scott Jamieson: Why do you think it's important to connect your own skills and interests and superpowers as a changemaker when you're thinking about getting involved in a project like this?
Scott Jamieson: So thinking about your own passions and skills and interests, you guys all talked a little bit about being interested in the art aspect of this. Why do you think it's important to connect your own personal superpowers to a project you're involved in when you're working as a changemaker?
YTL SHR: I believe it's really important to, like, apply the skills that we have into, like, the real outside world, because one, I think it could really, like, strengthen our skills even more. By… by making us paint on this huge wall has really, like.
YTL SHR: taught me a lot on, like, art as well, because maybe we think, like, we're really good at something, but when we face the outside and, like, the real world, we actually know we have to learn even more. And this is, like, a vertical surface, not, like.
YTL SHR: Like, on the table, so we also had to, like, fix our, like, hand movements and stuff like that. And secondly, I also think that by having us apply our skills that we're, like, good at to, like, the outside world, it could also help a lot of people. Bringing back to what we just said on how we want to help the kids build a positive environment, by us applying these skills that we have, I feel like it could
YTL SHR: Really help them as well.
YTL SHR: I also think that, like, we could, like, pursue our passion on, like.
YTL SHR: On, like, art only, and, like, also we could, like, build more experiences with that.
Scott Jamieson: No, that's fantastic. I think that's fantastic.
Scott Jamieson: And I think it's important when we're working on being… being a changemaker is difficult.
Scott Jamieson: It's hard work sometimes, and we do have to persevere. We had to persevere through the heat, and the challenges of getting the scale right. And some people might get frustrated and give up, but this is something that really matters to you in your heart.
Scott Jamieson: the work that you're doing, and the impact this is going to have on that community of young learners at Mercy Center allows you to kind of have that resilience to be able to persevere through and get the job done, and come up with such a fantastic product at the end.
Scott Jamieson: Did you hear back from any of the students there on what they think of their new wall?
YTL SHR: Well… I probably haven't done this, guys, but just a general feedback from,
YTL SHR: the Mercy center owners, but not the actual children, but if you want to explain that, because you don't need a voice.
YTL SHR: Kyra, do you want to say that you've heard that from
YTL SHR: That overall, they really… there was the dates that maybe would be great, or if you want to talk about how over the summer, you're going to go on, it would be good to hear about.
Scott Jamieson: Yeah, that'd be cool.
YTL SHR: So, we've heard back from the Mercy Center organization, and they said they're really happy with the fence, and so building onto this project, I…
YTL SHR: I realized that…
YTL SHR: community service shouldn't be just, like, a one-time project that happens once, and then, okay, it's over, we're not going back again. I feel that doesn't really, like…
YTL SHR: help the community that much.
YTL SHR: Instead, we should be consistent and go back, like, periodically. So…
YTL SHR: I had a thought, what if I could go to the Mercy Center during the summer, and maybe
YTL SHR: Because I like music, and…
YTL SHR: What if I could perform, or maybe even teach the children a little bit of music?
YTL SHR: To help brighten their day.
Scott Jamieson: I love that. I think that sounds fantastic.
Scott Jamieson: And Jeannie, I absolutely agree. I think service… we want to avoid it being a one-off experience. We want to have these long-term relationships, like your school does with the Mercy Center.
Scott Jamieson: Where we have lots of opportunities to continue to work together, and we have these reciprocal partnerships where everybody's learning and everybody's benefiting from this.
Scott Jamieson: And I think that's what makes this kind of work really beautiful. And I love that you're inspired to go back, even during your holiday, to go see how you might be able to contribute some more. I think that sounds fantastic.
Scott Jamieson: Thinking from your own perspective, What are the four of you most proud of, looking back at this work?
YTL SHR: Honestly, it really grounded me. It is so easy to get caught up in our own school stress and daily lives.
YTL SHR: But standing in that kindergarten, looking at the finished mural, and seeing how few coats of paint completely transformed, like, a dull wall into something so colorful and cheerful, it changed my perspective.
YTL SHR: It made me feel incredibly grateful, and proved to me that you are never too young to make a real or visible difference. And seeing the direct result of her hard work on those walls.
YTL SHR: Definitely made me want to keep volunteering and find creative ways to help out communities in the future.
Scott Jamieson: Something you're proud of about this experience.
YTL SHR: For me, I mostly agree with, like, Kyra as well, as we've all been really distracted with our school, we forget to sometimes look at, like, the real world outside, and I feel like I'm really proud of on how I was, like, confident enough to, like, step up and, like, help, and, like, help the Mercy Center with this, and
YTL SHR: Was able to make them… was able to, like, make them happy with, like, the result that we gave them as well.
YTL SHR: Yeah.
YTL SHR: Well…
YTL SHR: Because, like, at first, like, before, like, the wall was, like, plain and had no creativity, like, the place is now full of, like, vibrant colors, which shows how, like.
YTL SHR: We have all put, like, our effort in… in the work.
Scott Jamieson: Eini, how about you?
Scott Jamieson: What are you most proud of?
YTL SHR: I feel that the thing I'm most proud of is because
YTL SHR: two of us worked on each wall. Therefore, there were some overlapping parts between the walls, which we had to… we had to work together closely to match them up and make the wall
YTL SHR: like, a long mural, and… and so we had to solve, like, a lot of challenges, like, there to line up, like, the animals that crossed the walls in, like, different places, and I feel that really
YTL SHR: Build our, like, resilience through problem solving.
YTL SHR: And that's one thing I'm really proud of that we were able to overcome.
Scott Jamieson: Thank you all for sharing, that's so inspiring. And I think it really was some amazing work that's gonna have an impact on not just the students who are there now, but many, many students who come through and are out playing in that playground and getting to
Scott Jamieson: see the bright colors and just feel uplifted by your work, I think this is going to have a big impact, and I think that's something really worthy of being proud of.
Scott Jamieson: One more question before we head back to class.
Scott Jamieson: Jeannie mentioned that she just came across this opportunity in a newsletter.
Scott Jamieson: And I wonder, what message would you share with your fellow secondary students at Shrewsbury about the opportunities they have to be changemakers and leaders in your community, and encouraging them to
Scott Jamieson: Try this out, and step up, and be changemakers, and to engage in some of these opportunities at your school. What's a message you would share with your fellow cohort of secondary students?
YTL SHR: Honestly, they should just give it a go. Like, you're not gonna lose anything, it's only gonna make you feel better knowing that you have made a difference. So I feel like you should just, like, go for it and try your best.
YTL SHR: Like, maybe, like, we could also tell them that, like, small difference, like, could create, like, a big difference towards, like,
YTL SHR: The problem those people are dealing with, so that, like.
YTL SHR: By doing so, like, it also helps them, like, overcome their, like, overcome their…
YTL SHR: Their leadership, like, overcome their, like, overall.
YTL SHR: Develop their, like, leadership skills.
Scott Jamieson: Sorry, can you say that last sentence one more time for me? I interrupted you.
Scott Jamieson: Help them…
YTL SHR: Develop their leadership skills.
YTL SHR: So, I felt like the biggest lesson I learned from this project is that, like, even small actions, like just us painting… painting a wall, like.
YTL SHR: I feel like it's a small action, but it really can have a lasting impact on them, because the wall's going to stay there for a long, long time, and they're going to… they're going to see it, and it will have a really lasting impact on their, like, on their day and their emotions.
YTL SHR: And…
YTL SHR: I feel like for people, some people may have, like, may be hesitant to join because they're nervous about, oh, would I do, like.
YTL SHR: do anything, like, wrong. Like, it isn't… it's not my most, like, strong skill, so…
YTL SHR: just give it a try. Like, art may not be, like, my most favorite subject, but I did give it a try, and it was really enjoyable. So, just…
YTL SHR: Have a try, and people around you will help you and support you as well.
Scott Jamieson: Thank you to all of you, Pam Pam, Kyra, Anya, and Jeannie, for the work you're doing in your community to have a positive impact, and to make the day a little bit brighter for some students at your partner school at Mercy Center Kindergarten. So…
Scott Jamieson: I'm feeling so inspired listening to your story, and I'm really grateful to all of you for taking a little bit of time out of your day at the end of the school year to reflect on your project and share and inspire others to get involved in these kind of opportunities at Shrewsbury International School.
Scott Jamieson: And hopefully follow your lead to think about the kind of positive impact
Scott Jamieson: they might be able to have when they engage with their own superpowers and try to make our community just a little bit better. So thank you all so much for being such fabulous guests on the podcast. I'm really grateful for the opportunity to have some time to get to know you a little better, and share your story with our audience. Thank you all very, very much.
YTL SHR: Thank you! Thank you!
Scott Jamieson: Alright, we're gonna stop our recording.
YTL SHR: Thank you, Scott. Thank you, girls.