From Medan to Belawan:
DP Students Put CAS Into Action at ISCO (Kampung Kurnia)
by Mr. Karl Sloane, DP Coordinator
On Wednesday 28 January 2026, our Diploma Programme (DP) students travelled to ISCO in Belawan (Kampung Kurnia) for a day of service, learning and connection. Supervised by Mr Karl Sloane and Ms Imeda Hutabarat, the trip was designed to help students meet IB DP Core (CAS) requirements while practising the skills that matter most beyond school: collaboration, communication, creativity, leadership and reflection.
ISCO Foundation (Yayasan Anak Jalanan Indonesia) is a non-profit that supports street and marginalised children and families through community learning centres (“sanggar”). It works with local staff, volunteers and partners to provide safe spaces, tutoring and educational support, character building, and practical assistance that helps children break the cycle of poverty. In Greater Medan, ISCO runs centres in Bagan Deli, Belawan, Kampung Kurnia and Polonia, reaching hundreds of children. These centres act as after-school hubs, offering mentoring, structured activities, and support to help children stay engaged in learning and community life.
A day built around partnership
The group departed Medan Independent School by bus at 8:00am and arrived in Belawan ready to learn from the local community and contribute in practical ways. Our first experience was an eye-opening look at salted fish processing (9:15am). Students observed the drying racks and spoke with community members about how small enterprises operate, the challenges of sustaining income, and the pride that comes with skilled, honest work. Starting the day here grounded the visit in local realities and reminded students that behind every product is a story of people and place.
After a short break (10:15am), the focus shifted to student-led learning. At 10:30am, DP students facilitated fun educational sessions with the Kampung Kurnia children (Kindergarten and PYP age). Working in small teams, our students ran games, simple literacy and numeracy activities, and creative tasks that encouraged participation and confidence. They quickly learned the real craft of teaching: giving clear instructions, adjusting activities on the spot, and making sure every child felt included.
At 11:45am, the Kampung Kurnia children shared a performance for our students. It was joyful, energetic and deeply moving—an important reminder that CAS is not a one-way act.
The performance was followed by a photo session (12:15pm) and lunch (12:45pm), offering time for conversation and relationship-building. The group then departed at 2:30pm and returned to MIS at 4:00pm.
Why CAS trips matter
CAS is often described as “learning beyond the classroom,” but trips like this show its deeper purpose: learning with and from others. For DP students, the Belawan visit strengthened three key dimensions of CAS.
Student agency. Our students were not passive participants. They planned activities, managed groups, and took responsibility for outcomes. When an activity did not work as expected, they adapted—simplifying, re-explaining, and trying again. That resilience is a genuine life skill.
Empathy and intercultural understanding. Meeting children in Kampung Kurnia and seeing their learning environment makes “community” tangible. Students are challenged to approach others with humility and respect, to listen before acting, and to recognise how context shapes opportunity.
Leadership through service. Organising resources, keeping groups engaged, modelling positive behaviour, and supporting peers require maturity. Students discovered that leadership is not about being the loudest voice; it is about helping others feel safe, capable and valued.
Benefits for the Kampung Kurnia community
The immediate benefit of the visit is enrichment for younger learners: new games, creative experiences and positive role models who bring fresh energy into the day. Just as importantly, the community gains partnership. When schools return consistently, relationships deepen. Children recognise familiar faces; community leaders can share priorities; and support becomes more responsive over time.
CAS visits also reinforce an important message to children: education is worth celebrating. The attention, encouragement and shared laughter help frame learning as something hopeful and empowering, especially in settings where resources are limited.
Benefits for our students
For our DP students, the impact is lasting. They developed practical communication skills—explaining ideas clearly, reading non-verbal cues, and encouraging participation. They strengthened teamwork under authentic pressure, negotiating roles and supporting one another when plans changed. Many returned with a sharper sense of gratitude and a clearer understanding of what “service” means: not charity, but solidarity.
Equally important is reflection. Students leave with questions that deepen future action: What worked well? What did we learn from the children and community? What could we improve next time? This cycle—plan, act, reflect, and grow—is at the heart of CAS and helps transform a single day into long-term learning.
Thank you
We sincerely thank ISCO and the Kampung Kurnia community for welcoming our students so warmly. Trips like this remind us that CAS is not an “extra”; it is part of who we are as an IB community—learning, serving and growing together.
