The learning in service

If our students graduated in grade eight believing that every other school-aged child in the world lives exactly as they do in their school-home-church universe, we would be missing an opportunity. Similarly, if the only mention of money and fundraising in their elementary years at LCES were efforts to direct funds back toward themselves and/or their school, something would be missing.

One of our goals at LCES is to shape hearts and minds toward future learning and giving when our students become adults. As an expression of thanks to our faithful God and in response to the instruction to be a blessing to “all nations” (Genesis 12:2), students participate in a Student Service Project each year. Each class invests time and effort in some kind of initiative that generates funds that support the chosen project. Examples of this include bake sales, a fun fair, ice cream refreshments at the Shakespeare play in May, and much more.

The actual project is chosen each year after staff deliberation, looking for projects that encourage either a local or international opportunity of giving to become a learning endeavor. Through chapels and classroom activities, students learn about the need, pray for those who will receive the help, and see the results at the end of the project in a chapel. This year we have chosen to partner with Compassion Canada, who links us to “..the developing world to end poverty in the life of a child, in Jesus’ name.” (https://www.compassion.ca) Specifically, safe homes for families in Kenya and water sanitation for children in Tanzania and Uganda are our chosen projects for this year.

It has been our experience that these service projects offer unique opportunities for learning. Students are challenged to meet the brokenness of this world in ways that are not otherwise familiar to
them. They can see themselves as part of returning this world to the way it was intended to be by
God’s design and for His glory. Economic, cultural and geographic differences that become clear in
unique ways and empathy for others and recognizing the call to be of Christian service (see LCES 
Graduate Profile) are valued outcomes.

May our student’s minds, hearts, and hands be changed by this learning opportunity. SJ