LAS students have countless opportunities to give back—through projects on campus, initiatives in the village of Leysin, and international service trips that span the globe. These experiences nurture empathy, leadership, and a deep sense of responsibility. By engaging in meaningful service work, LAS students strengthen their communities, and grow into compassionate, confident, and globally-minded citizens who embody the qualities that define an LAS education.

Here are some of the many opportunities students have to do service work:

Community Service Club
The Community Service activity at LAS focuses on working with our local St. Agnes Refugee Center in Leysin, which hosts refugees from approximately 30 different countries. Students organize games and activities for the children as well as organize clothing distribution and meals with the entire community of the refugee center.

The CAS Project for the IB Diploma Program:
Students pursuing the IB diploma must complete a CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) Project—purposeful activities with significant outcomes developed through thoughtful consideration which allow students to reflect on their process. Self-initiated service projects must be beneficial for the community and provide a meaningful learning opportunity for the student. 

National Honor Society 
The National Honor Society (NHS) at our school recognizes students who exemplify scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Members are also dedicated to making a positive impact on our community such as supporting organizations like Mama Muxima and UNICEF. 

Eco Club
Eco Club promotes sustainable habits on the LAS campus. Students have led awareness campaigns such as reducing single-use plastics and promoting reusable water bottles and installing water refill stations across campus. Through their efforts, LAS has been officially certified as an Eco School by the Eco-Schools Switzerland organization.

SAFE (Students Actively Fostering Equity)
SAFE is a student leadership team dedicated to fostering a sense of belonging, celebrating all forms of identity, combating prejudice, and promoting equity throughout the school. SAFE reps support their fellow students while helping to promote a schoolwide culture that is equitable, inclusive, and respectful of diversity. 

International Service Trips
Students can extend their service efforts globally by conducting fundraising and on-location projects in locations such as Africa and Asia. In Zimbabwe, students have partnered with the Sethule Orphans Trust for more than a decade, fundraising for and helping with construction projects and participating in cultural events which support children orphaned by HIV. Our newest service trip to China enables students to work with children in rural schools and learn about the challenges these communities face. 

Dorm Store Fundraising
Even without joining a service group or club students can give back by patronizing the “dorm stores” that are located in each of our dorms. The profits from purchases of snacks, kitchen supplies and other personal items go directly to both local and international charities which the dorm residents choose. Some examples include:

• Sethule Orphan's Trust (Zimbabwe)
• Olive Tree Learning Center (Zambia)
• Médecins Sans Frontières
• St. Agnes Refugee Center (Leysin)
• St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital
• Protect Our Winters (POW)

Mentoring and Dorm Leadership
Additional opportunities to serve include being a mentor to a younger student as part of the “BIG” program, representing the school and giving campus tours for the admissions department, and serving as a dorm leader who advocates for the needs of their fellow residents. 

With all of these opportunities for doing service work, LAS students can find ways to give back to the community, locally, and globally, in ways that align with their personal viewpoints, learning goals, and values. This is just one of the many ways we help students become compassionate and responsible citizens of the world.