Service Learning

AISCT believes that as part of our larger mission to enhance students’ global and community awareness, service learning opportunities are an important part of the AISCT program. This is reflected in the AISCT service learning graduation requirement. The AISCT service requirement is ten hours of service in each of Grades 9, 10, and 11 and 20 hours of service in the Grade 12 year with at least half of the hours coming from non-AISCT events. These requirements are pro-rated for students joining after Grade 9.

Students are encouraged to find an organization or cause that they believe in and support the organization through a donation of their time and effort. Students may consult the High School notice board or the Friday News for announcements of organizations looking for volunteers, as well as upcoming service opportunities. Students may also consult with the High School student council service chair Jeremy Mlatac or the service learning coordinator Elizabeth Velez ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

High School StuCo organizes a number of service learning opportunities each term. In recent years these have included

• Sosabenza Fun Day: AISCT has a long-standing relationship with the Sosabenza community center in Mashipumelele. On Sosabenza Fun Day, 30 youth aged 8-16 come to AISCT for an afternoon of games, food and performances. As always, the football game is a highlight with basketball and dodgeball clinics enjoyed by all. AISCT's High School student council organizes this event, with all proceeds from entrance fees and the braai going to the Sosabenza Community Center's ongoing work.
• Hoops for Hope: For three consecutive years, AISCT's High School student council has organized a friendly basketball competition between AISCT students and teachers and two teams from the Hoops for Hope program. Hoops for Hope teaches sports and life skills to youth from several area townships.
• Relay for Life: Each year, students from Grades 4-12 create teams that run laps to earn money for the Sosabenza and the Westlake Community Centers. Great music, energetic running and food is shared by all with the proceeds going to these two great causes.
• Shoebox drive: In November and December AISCT Middle School and High School students put together shoeboxes filled with small gifts for children who might otherwise not receive a Christmas preset.
• Westlake Basketball Clinic: Students from AISCT organized basketball clinics and games at the Westlake Community Center. We hope that this will become a monthly program run by AISCT students.

AISCT also supports a number of local organizations through collections of money, food and supplies. In recent years these have included

• Bread Buddies: Each Monday students contribute sandwiches and fruit which are then given to pre-school students who otherwise would not have lunch.
• Miracle Kidz: A school-wide collection of diapers, baby clothing, formula and other materials for small children was undertaken and donated to Miracle Kidz. Miracle Kidz is located across the street from AISCT and is a home for children who have been removed from their birth parents.
• SPCA: Students donated a variety of materials for the SPCA including animal food, bedding and supplies such as leashes and treats.
• Civvies Days: Money from AISCT civvies days has been donated to several causes including HIV/AIDS orphans, Miracle Kidz, Soil 4 Life, the Sunflower Fund and breast cancer research, to name a few.
• Westlake Pick 'n Pay Drive: From October 2010 to March 2011, students brought in 5 million rand worth of Pick 'n Pay til slips in support of this PAFA-organized fundraiser. In return, Pick 'n Pay donated 50,000 rand to the Westlake Community Center, thanks to this AISCT school-wide effort.

AISCT has an ongoing community service partnership with Ubuntu Soccer, an outreach program based in FishHoek. Our school has been collecting soccer cleats for children who would otherwise play barefoot. In October 2011, 18 High School students participated in the One Valley Festival when they helped organize and referee over 100 township children. The Ubuntu Under 13 team were invited to play a friendly match with our soccer team at International Day on March 17, 2012. They were then treated to delicious food from around the world and fun games. www.ubuntufootball.com/news/international-day-at-aisct