Celebrating Community and the Right to Play

Our ISRUNVA Secretariat and AP MUN students from Valle Alto (7th to 9th grade), together with their families, led a heartfelt Christmas celebration for the community of La Gloria. This event beautifully reflected ISR’s commitment to empathy, community, purposeful leadership, and the promotion of children’s rights.

More than 250 children enjoyed a joyful Kermess-style experience with 16 activity stations, each thoughtfully designed and facilitated by our students. Through play, laughter, and shared experiences, the event honored children’s right to play, recognizing play as essential to joy, development, well-being, and meaningful childhood experiences. As the children played, collected stamps, and exchanged them for brand-new toys, the atmosphere was filled with excitement, kindness, and the spirit of giving.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our ISR community and the dedication of the ISRUNVA Secretariat, the New Toys Campaign gathered over 420 toys, ensuring every child left with a gift and a smile. Families also enjoyed traditional treats such as tamales, hot chocolate, piñatas, and letters to Santa, adding warmth and festive joy to a celebration centered on dignity, happiness, and inclusion.

Throughout the event, our students embodied ISR’s Learner Ambitions (Compassionate, Critical, Committed, Curious, Collaborative, and Creative), demonstrating leadership, empathy, and meaningful engagement with the community. Their actions remind us that when young people lead with purpose, they not only serve others but also help create spaces where children feel safe, valued, and free to play.

Thank you to every family, volunteer, and sponsor, including the Sada Family, who made this celebration possible. Together, we continue building a community where service is lived, shared, and celebrated.