Community Service｜Sowing Kindness, Reaping Hope – A Chronicle of Charitable Actions at Harrow Beijing

At Harrow Beijing, we firmly believe that the power of education lies not only in the transmission of knowledge, but also in the shaping of character.

Community service is one of Harrow Beijing’s core educational philosophies. We are proud to carry out this work under the influence of traditional Chinese values and moral teachings, guided by the Harrow values of Courage, Honour, Humility, and Fellowship. Through a wide range of school activities, our students gradually come to understand the true meaning of serving their community and helping others.

As an integral part of Harrow Beijing’s holistic education, we constantly encourage students to pay attention to social issues, actively engage in public service, and contribute with empathy, developing a more compassionate and connected view of the world. Recently, two heartwarming charitable initiatives once again demonstrated the profound implementation of Harrow Beijing’s educational ideals in real life.

The Shoebox Appeal

Bringing Warmth and Hope to the Children of Amnin School

The annual Shoebox Appeal is one of Harrow Beijing’s longstanding charitable traditions. This year, we once again partnered with parents and students to send shoeboxes filled with love—containing toys, school supplies, books, and clothing—to the children of Amnin School. This was not merely a donation drive, but a meaningful educational experience that extended far beyond the classroom.

What made this year unique was that students not only donated items, but also actively participated in sorting and packing the shoeboxes. From categorizing materials and selecting items to packing the boxes, they threw themselves into the process with great enthusiasm, showing exceptional responsibility and teamwork.

Harrow Beijing

Upper School Head of MFL

Ms. Sanaa Rehane Waahibi

“When I saw students carefully discussing what to include in each box, and witnessed their attention to detail and collaboration, I truly felt the deeper meaning of a Harrow education—not just academic excellence, but the shaping of young people with character and a sense of responsibility.”

This project allowed students to step beyond their daily classroom experience and into a wider world. They began to consider the needs of others and understand the value of giving. In preparing these gifts, they learned gratitude, developed empathy, and realized that even small acts of kindness can bring meaningful and heartfelt impact.

In addition, we interviewed Year 6 student India and Year 7 student Rhiannon, who both took part in the project and shared their personal reflections:

What did the Shoebox Appeal mean to you personally?

India：To me, the biggest meaning of this Shoebox Appeal was being able to share some of my own items with other children.
Rhiannon：The feeling of giving made me very happy, and it helped me realize that even our small acts of kindness can make a big difference for someone else.

What stood out to you during the sorting, packing, and donating process?

India：During the process of sorting and packing, I kept thinking—what would it feel like if I were the one receiving this gift? Imagining their smiles as they opened the shoeboxes warmed my heart. What impressed me the most was that we donated not just stationery, but also clothes and small toys—simple things that could mean a lot to them.
Rhiannon：There were many memorable moments, but what surprised me most was how many school supplies people donated! It showed me how much we all value education, and how everyone hopes more children will have the chance and motivation to learn. That spirit of unity and generosity was really touching.

If there’s a similar opportunity in the future, how would you take part or encourage others to join?

India：I will definitely participate again because I truly enjoy the feeling of spreading happiness and gratitude. If I get the chance, I’ll encourage more classmates to join too—so that more people can experience the joy of making someone smile. I believe that if each of us is willing to share just a little, we can make the world a better place.
Rhiannon：If there are similar projects in the future, I’ll encourage more people to take part—not only to help sort the shoeboxes but also to meet new friends and connect with others who share the same ideas. Doing charity work together is not only meaningful, but also a lot of fun!

The Shoebox Appeal is a true reflection of Harrow Beijing’s mission—“Educational Excellence for Life and Leadership.” These small shoeboxes carry not just supplies, but also love, thought, and hope. This is not merely material aid, but experiential education about empathy and responsibility. Every member of the Harrow community is, in their own way, embodying the ultimate goal of education: to become responsible and compassionate global citizens.

Community Book Donations

Let the Seeds of Reading Take Root

In addition to the Shoebox Appeal, the Harrow Beijing Library has quietly carried out a long-running charitable program—donating books to children in the village of Hegeshuang and establishing community reading corners.。

This inspiration originally came from a Wider Learning Day. Ms. Karen Astill, the Learning Resources Manager who has worked at Harrow Beijing for over 17 years, brainstormed together with Year 10 students to propose the idea of building a children’s library in a rural community. Although the original plan encountered many challenges in execution, they quickly adjusted their approach and advanced the project in a more flexible and practical way — through the Book Boxes plan.

In this community book box donation project, Harrow Beijing’s students are not only participants, but also leaders. At the beginning of the project, students took charge of the entire process — from concept development to implementation. They brainstormed ideas, designed plans, created presentation materials, and held student-teacher voting to select the best proposal, turning their creativity into reality with their own hands. This process greatly enhanced their project management abilities and team collaboration skills.

In the library’s community Book Box donation project, students at Harrow Beijing are not only participants but also leaders.

At the initial stage of the project, students took on the entire process from ideation to execution: they brainstormed collectively, designed proposals, and created presentation materials. The best proposal was then selected through a voting process involving both teachers and students, and students brought their creative ideas to life with their own hands. This process significantly enhanced their project management skills and team collaboration abilities.

Every year, the library uses Book Week as a mobilization point to spark a school-wide passion for reading through a range of reading promotion activities. It continuously channels high-quality books to the children in Heguo Zhuang village. As of now, the project has donated more than 3,000 books in total, making it one of the longest-running and most influential charity initiatives at Harrow Beijing.

This project is also organically integrated with the Design and Technology curriculum and students’ co-curricular activities. It not only allows students to build hands-on skills in class but also gives them a chance to experience how knowledge can change the world in real-life contexts. Through the act of service, students gradually realize that learning is not just a tool for personal growth, but a power that can be used to give back to society.

Through this long-term philanthropic practice, Harrow Beijing is cultivating a generation of young people with a sense of social responsibility and a global vision. In the process of “sharing reading,” they use their actions to define what it means to “give back to society through knowledge.”

Whether it’s a lovingly prepared Shoebox for the children at Anmin School, or a traveling Book Box that continues to brighten the reading dreams of Heguo Zhuang village, Harrow Beijing’s students are expressing the Harrow values of Courage, Honour, Humility, and Fellowship through heartfelt actions, time and again. They are not only learners — they are doers and co-creators. In the act of giving, they grow; in the act of service, they discover the vastness of the world and gain a clearer understanding of their own responsibilities and strengths.

At Harrow Beijing, we believe that the true meaning of education lies not only in the transmission of knowledge, but also in the guidance of values and the shaping of character. These charitable projects are vivid embodiments of our holistic education philosophy and inspiring beginnings on the journey to a more meaningful life.