The Boys Leadership Program at WTCS is designed, in part, to provide guidance and leadership to students in the areas of community interaction and personal growth. In this regard, students in the program are given the opportunity to look outside themselves by helping others and organizing and taking part in charitable community events. It is hoped that some insight of the personal benefits of such activities will follow.
The underlying theme of kindness, therefore, is well steeped within the course. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” is now entrenched in student minds. Aristotle himself defined kindness as helpfulness towards some one in need, without expectation of something in return other than personal satisfaction. The idea of “Random acts of Kindness” was discussed in class with the goal of cultivating this activity for the common benefit of the community as well as for the simple personal goal of being able to feel good about oneself...The Kindness Project originated from a desire to demonstrate this learning within a creative context. The idea that combining individually composed squares into a group wall hanging was seen as representative of the importance of both personal good deeds and their compounded benefit within a group effort. Students took their own photographs which they then printed onto fabric. These fabric prints were sewn onto larger coloured squares, stitched and embroidered by the students. As a group, a planning session determined the layout of background colours and image placement within the quilt.
In class, threading a needle, sewing on a button, hemming a pair of jeans became wondrous skills to learn. Enthusiastic about the tasks at hand the boys jumped at the chance to learn to sew. The sewing machine became admired new technology to be learned and several boys became quite adept at the technique.
The benefits of sewing are many. It is perfect for developing hand-eye coordination, hand dexterity and fine motor skills. To the boys this could be brought into play, literally, when doing sports, for example. In addition, put into practice are the use of math skills as well as the ability to understand and follow a process from concept to completion. Studies have proven that sewing is an activity that reduces stress by lowering overall heart and blood rates and promoting relaxation. This overall contribution to good mental and physical health became amplified with the social benefits gained by sitting together while focussed on hand sewing allowing conversation to flow easily in a non-pressured environment.
Working together in earnest and with compassion the boys have produced a beautiful wall hanging and have developed thoughtful personal statements on the subject of Kindness. They are proud of their accomplishment and hope you will be too.
