PETALING JAYA: A host of celebrities and prominent personalities have signed up to support the 2020 #StandTogether National Kindness Week movement – and they just might be coming to a school near you.
The Education Ministry-endorsed #StandTogether campaign requires schools to follow a simple programme during National Kindness Week, and schools that create the most impact will win RM1,000 in grant funding, media coverage in The Star, as well as a celebrity school visit.
Major celebrities like Lisa Surihani, Chef Wan, Harith Iskander, Jinnyboy, Arwind Kumar, Ismail Izzani, Jenn Chia, Rabbit Mac, and many more have been inspired by the campaign since 2018, and they can’t wait to get started this year.
“I feel like this campaign has given schools new motivation to tackle an old issue, and I love how the #StandTogether team had a new take on solutions by making it student-led, ” said Lisa.
“The act of teachers and students working together every year to create kindness projects is, to me, a very sustainable goal that can be done annually – and these small actions can and will have a large impact on society.”
Schools that participated in last year’s #StandTogether Kindness Project competition reported massive improvements, with over 90% saying it improved relationships between teachers and students, and 100% reporting a more positive learning environment.
Arwind, who like Lisa has been supporting the campaign since its inception, said he finds himself truly inspired by the experience.
“I love the initiative – even if #StandTogether hadn’t approached me, I would be supporting the campaign on my own, ” said the YouTube personality.
“What I learnt from the school visits is that once we listen to (the students), and they believe someone is there (for them), they will never let go of the values and virtues they learned from the campaign.”
Several new celebrities will be joining the campaign this year, including national gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi.
“I think it’s important all of us to stand together in the face of bullying in order to create a society that helps each other grow instead of pushing others down. Public figures, especially, need to show that bullying is not accepted in any form, ” said Farah.
Being part of the #StandTogether campaign means a lot to Farah who, despite being a SEA Games gold medallist, has faced negative comments on social media throughout her career.
“My experience with online bullying was quite rough. I used to get very upset, but now I think it’s important to stay positive and look towards the supportive people around me, ” she said.
“That’s why I think it’s important to spread the message that we have to stand together and be kind – and that’s why this campaign is so close to my heart.”
Students, teachers, and principals can register for the #StandTogether National Kindness Week campaign today at www.standtogether.my.