4. Impact of Giving Gala Beyond the festivities and frivolities of the wonderful Gala night in November 2017, there was an undercurrent of serious intent—to raise funds for UWCSEA, to ensure we are not just a great international school but a great United World College. Hope, passion and purpose were on the menu. Whilst enjoying the roast lamb and celeriac mousseline, guests bid on auction items to support UWCSEA scholarships and sustainability initiatives. Over praline and frangipane tarts, guests listened to Sreylin, scholar from Cambodia, share her inspirational story: from the streets of Phnom Penh to UWCSEA, future plans for university, and then a return home to work for positive change in the community.
Gala gifts that go on giving For all the sparkling, glittering magic of that night, the message was substantive and the effects long lasting. Only after the music faded away could the echoes of a deeper beat, be heard, it was the sound of real impact. In the weeks and months that followed the outpouring of generosity of that evening, where over S$350,000 was raised, substantive impact began to be felt. We are extremely grateful for the generosity of the guests. The effects have been transformational—this is the Impact of Giving from our Gala:
Scholarships Funds raised that night contributed towards three new scholarship opportunities— meaning we were able to welcome excited scholars to their new home at UWCSEA in August of this year.
Sustainability • Adopt a Tree: Thanks to Gala donors, in years to come students will be basking in the shade of the spreading branches of the eight new indigenous trees that now grace each campus, and the virtual orchard of papaya trees that were raffled off. • Solar: Funds were raised for eight new solar panels on each campus. • Green Warrior Programme: Nearly S$30,000 was raised for the new Dover Green Heart, the expansion of the Campus Composting scheme, and an exciting Zero Waste project—recyclable Party Packs. None of this would have been possible without the hard work and passion of the Organising Committees, co-chaired by Julianne Martin and Asema Ahmed, with 26 dedicated volunteers, including Foundation Parent Ambassadors from both campuses, and a group of 300 like-minded guests coming together that night to support a cause they all hold dear. “Ours is a very special community, exemplified by Gala guests, who passionately believe in the difference a UWC education can make, and in the difference they can personally make in that education,” said Dave Shepherd, UWCSEA Foundation.
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