Watch how an abandoned teahouse is transformed into a stunning space in just one year. From demolition to final finishes, this full renovation journey captures every step, including design, construction, and creative problem-solving. Perfect for fans of home makeovers, DIY, and architecture. See the before and after, get inspired, and follow the process from start to finish.
I left my job and cycled across the Silk Road from Beijing to Rome. What began as curiosity became connection, through moments, kindness, and people who opened their worlds to me. The world isn't as distant as it seems. Connection brings it closer.
Growing up visiting remote Himalayan villages in Nepal, I witnessed women and girls lacking access to basic menstrual health education and resources. I started a Women Empowerment Project in Gorkha, reaching 1,500+ women across 15 villages. Through workshops and distribution of reusable sanitary kits, we've improved health, built confidence, and broken stigma — creating lasting change.
Our school's manually-operated panel heaters for room heating have low fuel efficiency because they have no algorithm regulating their heat output and stay on even when nobody is around. Project H-RACS provides an IoT solution to automating these radiators. This efficiently uses fuel, not only decreasing heating cost, but also maintaining a temperature that is just-right for the classroom. By using our resources more efficiently, project H-RACS is creating a more sustainable school.
In rural Peru, students face systemic barriers to quality education. After studying in Japan, I returned to Churcampa and founded a low-cost community academy. In less than a year, we've reached over 50 students, providing daily classes in math, English, and language, expanding access to learning and helping close the rural-urban education gap.
I am Lola, a proud South African who refused to let distance silence my activism against the GBV crisis in SA. I hosted an educational talk and fundraiser to support victims back home and promote awareness. I want to inspire support for the fight against GBV in SA, which many students have done by connecting our global communities. As UWC students, we are catalysts for the future, and so I hope this story inspires others to take that step towards positive change in their own worlds.
When the Taliban banned girls from learning, these students didn't stop. They went underground.The Evening School partnered with Afghanistan Education Action to bring computer science education to hidden classrooms in Herat, growing from 16 students to 48. But their impact doesn't stop at the classroom door. They're also taking Afghan students' voices to the United Nations, advocating for children's right to learn in conflict zones around the world.Education is resistance. Education is hope.
Nagano Harvest is a student-led CAS initiative at UWC ISAK Japan focused on sustainable agriculture and community learning. Through hands-on farming experiences in Nagano, students explored practical methods of more sustainable food production while building a deeper understanding of the relationship between people, land, and food systems.The project aimed to bring this learning back to the ISAK community by helping students better understand where their food comes from and why responsible farming practices matter. By growing food, working with local agricultural knowledge, and sharing their experiences, the team encouraged the community to think more carefully about food consumption and sustainability.Nagano Harvest highlights how small, practical actions can strengthen connections between students and the local community of Karuizawa while promoting more thoughtful and sustainable approaches to agriculture.
A glimpse into my design journey from early curiosity to building systems and visuals, turning ideas into real, meaningful experiences. Now working with Wahid and Grace to launch Hop Art House, dedicated to democratizing art and honoring the artist's hand, creative process, and emotional presence in a world increasingly dominated by AI. www.hoparthouse.com
Restoring Hope supports 36 displaced girls in Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia, who were affected by the Tigray War. Combining psychological rehabilitation with educational reintegration, the project helps them rebuild confidence, emotional wellbeing, and motivation to return to school in a safe and supportive environment.
Our mission is to make ISAK a place where taking action becomes the norm, and where every student has the courage to turn "zero into one." We hosted Entrepreneur Weekend twice during our Grade 10 year, bringing together ISAK students and middle and high school students from across Japan to develop startup ideas over three days, with mentorship from professional entrepreneurs. As we moved into Grade 11, we began sending Grade 10 students to Startup Weekend events in Tokyo and Nagoya, creating a cycle where students pass down the mindset of leadership to future cohorts.
When Dean noticed students craving both competition and connection, he didn't wait for a complex solution. He reached out to a local rink and started something that grew far beyond what anyone expected. The curling program at ISAK is proof that identifying a genuine need and acting on it directly is all it takes to create lasting impact.
Maybe it's just a routine. Maybe it's just another spot in the timetable, but maybe, there's more to our usual Stop and Clean. Being nominated for the Impact Award recognizes how small, consistent actions can create meaningful change on how we view communal spaces. Stop and Clean in the KAC Entrance represents an opportunity to practice responsibility, mindfulness, and respect for the community environment.
Hi, I'm Sabi-chan.
How can I help you?
