SHANGHAI, Feb. 24,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Concordia International School
Shanghai has been honored with the International School Award 2025
for its student-run social enterprise, Xiaohusai, which has been
making a difference in China's
southwestern Yunnan province. The
school is named one of the 14 winners of the award this year, out
of nearly 200 applications worldwide.
Hosted by ISC Research, the International School Awards
celebrate strategic initiatives at international schools that
showcase great learning, innovation, and community participation.
These initiatives are rooted in central pillars that support
intercultural understanding, diversity, equity, inclusion, and
justice, as well as one or more of the UN SDGs (United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals).
Xiaohusai is a prime example of Concordia's service learning
outcomes. Named after the small village in rural Yunnan, the social enterprise was founded and
has been run by a group of Concordia students since 2016.
Partnering with a local Shanghai
company, they procure organic tea from Yunnan farmers at fair market prices, pack and
sell it. Their goal is to guarantee local farmers receive fair pay
for their tea, in return, allowing them to better support their
children's education and improve life in the village.
Since its conception, Xiaohusai has impacted around 1,000 people
of the village, and directly supported six families through
scholarships especially funding for the local girls' education.
"By directly purchasing tea from the farmers, we ensure that
their suppliers are paid above-market wages and free from the
exploitation of conventional middlemen. The direct-trade approach
is the short-term aspect, while the long-term component is the
impact of education," says the Xiaohusai team. In 2022, Xiaohusai
even brought home the Excellent Charity Organization Nominee Prize
of the Pramerica Fosun Spirit of Community Awards.
Every year, fresh faces from Concordia's high school body join
the Xiaohusai crew, and the student-run organization gets
schoolwide support to tell the story of Xiaohusai village to the
community. Being able to cooperate with the school allows the team
to grow Concordia's service initiative and leave behind a legacy
for years to come.
Every summer, the team visits the village to assess the impact,
chat with the villagers, help pick and roast tea and identify new
infrastructure projects and areas of need. Students have the
opportunity to practice running a real business, gaining skills in
leadership, management, marketing, communication, product design,
economics and financial management, accounting, sales, business
ethics, and any role they may take on within the team.
Since its founding in 1998, Concordia Shanghai intentionally
looks for ways to offer support or raise awareness about local or
global issues by engaging students and the community at large in
meaningful service. From raising funds for gift bags for migrant
children in Shanghai to helping
build computer labs in Nepalese schools, service has been at the
heart of Concordia's mission, reflecting its dedication to shaping
well-rounded individuals who lead with compassion and purpose.
About Concordia International School Shanghai
Concordia International School Shanghai is a leading
international school renowned for its rigorous academic programs,
holistic education approach, and vibrant community spirit. With a
focus on nurturing bright futures, the school offers a wide range
of opportunities for students to grow academically, socially, and
personally, preparing them to thrive in an ever-changing world.
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SOURCE Concordia International School Shanghai
