Novice Leaders tested with real-world problem

A camp to sharpen student leadership skills was handed a real-world challenge when devastating floods hit southern China this summer.

Warren Zhang ’18 spent his summer in Beijing, and along with 15 high school students from Great Britain, the United States, and China formed a leadership camp. 

They named the camp GMT + -12 International Leadership Camp – for Greenwich Meridian Time, plus/minus 12 hours. The students designed a logo, created a website, and opened a WeChat public account. Word spread, and their camp soon grew to include 30 people.

Just as their camp was getting started, some of the worst storms in decades caused serious flooding in parts of southern china. Moved by the natural disaster’s effect on the people, the students took action and began a fundraising to help those in need. They focused their efforts on the city of HeFei in the AnHui province, which encompasses six counties and 66 villages.

“If we even reach our hand an inch, it goes a mile toward helping these people regain their homeland, family, and happiness,” stated Warren in an appeal for donations. 

Through hard work and determination, GMT + -12 earned 300,000 Yuan (approximately $60,000 Canadian), which will be donated to the city of HeFei at a special celebration August 15.

Story by Cindy Veitch