IB Community Theme: Sharing our humanity

The IB store team has, in a small way, put IB principles into practice through the IB gift items range. An unfortunate result of the IB’s new visual identity was a stock of obsolete IB gift items featuring the old IB logo. Not wishing to waste the opportunity, IB staff looked into whether the unwanted goods could be donated to a worthy cause.

Jennifer Hartley, subject area manager for film and theatre, volunteers in her spare time , training teachers and trainers to work with drama as a form of therapy for dealing with social problems, trauma and other such issues, as well as working with specific groups such as aids orphans, political prisoners etc. Her work has recently taken her to Zimbabwe, where she worked in several orphanages. Many of these orphans have lost their families from Aids related diseases or have been abandoned by their families, who found themselves unable to support them due to the worsening social and economic situation in the country. Jennifer thought that the out-of-date stock would be appreciated by the children and those who work with them.

The IB merchandise was distributed among five orphanages. Those children pictured were residents at a home north of Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital city. Jennifer said that the children were “thrilled and very grateful” when receiving their donations and, as well as the clothes pictured in the photographs, IB clocks and other items were also donated and put to good use in class rooms.

The new IB gift items range features a selection of environmentally friendly items. There is a pencil case made from recycled tyres, pencils from old CD cases, a tote bag made from 100% unbleached natural cotton and pens from wood grown in FSC approved sustainable forests. In fact, the entire merchandise range is sourced from suppliers who support ethical and responsible practice in each product’s manufacture.

If you would like more information, please visit the IB store at http://store.ibo.org or contact the IB store team at sales@ibo.org.

Images

Images