#China #Shanghai #Concordia International #Xiaohusai #International School

Concordia International School Shanghai Wins International School Award 2025

Concordia International School Shanghai has earned the prestigious International School Award 2025, acknowledging its significant contributions through a student-led social enterprise known as Xiaohusai. This recognition places Concordia among just 14 winners selected from nearly 200 submissions worldwide, highlighting the school's commitment to service and community engagement.

The Heart of Xiaohusai

Founded in 2016, Xiaohusai aims to support the local community, specifically in Yunnan province where they source organic tea from local farmers. The initiative provides farmers with fair market prices for their products, helping improve the quality of life in their village. The students involved in Xiaohusai not only market and sell the tea but also ensure that the profits contribute to the education of local children, especially girls.

By fostering a direct trade approach, Xiaohusai allows farmers to bypass conventional middlemen, resulting in better wages and improved living conditions. To date, the initiative has impacted the lives of around 1,000 villagers and has directly aided six families by providing educational scholarships. As one member of the Xiaohusai team beautifully states, “By directly purchasing tea from the farmers, we ensure that their suppliers are paid above-market wages and free from exploitation.”

Learning Through Service

The success of Xiaohusai is not just measured in the tea sold or the funds raised; it’s also about the invaluable experiences that Concordia students gain. Every year, a fresh cohort of high school students joins the initiative, allowing for a continuous influx of new ideas and perspectives while fostering a culture of leadership and responsibility. Students not only engage with the business aspects but also practice critical skills in various domains, including management, marketing, and financial literacy.

The program doesn’t culminate with just managing the enterprise; it extends to annual visits to Yunnan where students assess the community's needs, interact with farmers, and contribute to community projects. These interactions embody Concordia’s mission to shape compassionate and purpose-driven leaders.

A Legacy of Impact

Concordia International School Shanghai, founded in 1998, has always valued meaningful engagement with both local and global issues. The Xiaohusai initiative demonstrates this commitment, showcasing how students can enact change and support important social causes. From fundraising for educational resources for underprivileged children in Shanghai to contributing to the establishment of computer labs in Nepalese schools, community service remains at the forefront of Concordia's educational philosophy.

This year alone, Xiaohusai received further accolades, being named an Excellent Charity Organization Nominee at the Pramerica Fosun Spirit of Community Awards. As the school continues its commitment to combining academic rigors with social responsibility, the legacy of initiatives like Xiaohusai will undoubtedly inspire future generations of students to prioritize community service as a pillar of their educational journey.

Conclusion

As Concordia International School Shanghai celebrates this prestigious award, it serves as a reminder of the potential that lies in the combination of education and social enterprise. Xiaohusai not only enriches the lives of the farmers in Yunnan by enabling them to support their families through education but also empowers the students of Concordia to become leaders who are aware of their social responsibilities. Indeed, this award is a testament to the effect one school, driven by its student community, can have on both local and global scales.