When most people hear “Back to School,” they think pencils, notebooks, a new backpack, maybe a water bottle.
But at Cheers Global, it means so much more. It’s about restoring hope, easing burdens, and rewriting educational stories one child at a time.
We’ve had several Back to School outreaches over the years, but the very first one happened in 2014.
It began as a simple idea. A few of us were sitting in a church and decided to give toddlers some basic school items, including bags, water bottles and little things to get them excited for learning. We called it Back to School, and just like that, the movement was born.
Since then, it has grown beyond anything we could have imagined.
For us, it’s not just about handing out supplies. It’s about committing to the journey of giving children what they need to thrive, not just in school but in life. It’s about ensuring that every child, especially those from underserved communities, has access to the kind of education that nurtures their minds and hearts.
It means standing in the gap when families are stretched thin. It means providing school bags, books, and sponsorships. It means offering scholarships, learning aids, and sometimes even helping improve the physical spaces where learning happens. Every pencil, every gesture, every scholarship is a seed planted for a stronger tomorrow.
Education is more than curriculum. It’s access. It’s dignity. It’s support. That’s what we show up to give.
People often see the final photos: the bright smiles, the new bags, the moments of joy. But few see what happens behind the scenes.
Every outreach brings its own challenges. We might plan for 100 school bags across selected locations, but the need always exceeds our supply. Some parents hope their children will receive every item, and it’s tough when we have to ration. Sometimes, younger children get water bottles while older ones receive school bags. We do our best to make fair, thoughtful decisions, but it’s never easy.
Before any outreach, we move from place to place, building lists, taking names, speaking with communities, and preparing for the lives we hope to touch. It’s hands-on, detailed work, driven by compassion and deep intention.
Our most recent outreach in 2023 was one for the books!
It was an actual children’s party filled with colour, laughter, and joy. And this time, we hosted an essay competition.
We wanted to hear their voices. We asked them to write and share their thoughts. We wanted them to tell their own stories. Choosing the winners was harder than expected, not because the entries weren’t good, but because many of them didn’t sound like children. It was obvious that some parents had written the essays on their behalf.
That moment made us pause.
Where were the raw thoughts, the unique expressions, the childlike honesty? It highlighted a deeper issue in our educational system. Many children are not being taught to think independently or express themselves confidently. And this problem isn’t limited to public schools; even private institutions are struggling to meet the standard.
It reminded us that our work isn’t just about giving things. It’s about building confidence. It’s about exposure. It’s about helping children find their voice.
Over the years, we’ve seen first-hand what relief looks like for parents when support comes. Some have told us plainly how much of a burden it lifts. A school bag, a paid fee, a bottle for their child: these might seem small, but to them, it’s everything.
We’ve even supported a few students in tertiary institutions. Quietly. Respectfully. Without showcasing their pictures or making it about us. Because for us, dignity matters just as much as impact. And though their faces may never be posted, the transformation is real. It shows in their posture. In their eyes. Sometimes in their grades. Sometimes in a whispered “thank you”.
When a child walks into school with their own backpack or bottle, they’re not just carrying supplies. They’re walking in with pride. With a sense that someone, somewhere, believes in them. That they matter.
We’re not doing this for profit. There’s no transaction involved. The only return we receive is joy. The spark in a child’s eyes. The laughter. The gratitude. The way a parent exhales, knowing someone cared.
Our favourite moment every time is when we hand out the items. Watching a child light up as they hold something brand new, something that belongs to them, is a feeling we never get tired of. It’s pure. It’s humbling. It reminds us why this matters so much.
If this journey has taught us anything, it’s that not everyone values education the way we wish they would. Many parents, overwhelmed by life’s demands, simply do the best they can. Some send their children to school and hope for the best, unaware of the deeper needs, like books, mentorship and emotional support, that shape a child’s learning experience.
We’ve also learned that being intentional is everything. Not just in education, but in how we show up for others. This is why we believe in the rise of more people who care deeply. Social entrepreneurs. Changemakers. People who won’t wait for perfect conditions to make a difference, but will keep showing up with purpose and persistence.
If we could relive one moment in this journey, it would always be that point where we hand over the items. The laughter. The joy. The honest, unscripted gratitude.
Looking back, it’s not about being fulfilled once and for all. It’s about a sense of ongoing fulfilment. This is not a one-time mission. It’s a legacy.
A continuous journey of planting seeds, nurturing them, and watching them bloom across families, schools, and generations.
So we keep showing up. We keep planting. We keep believing in the power of every child, every family, and every future that’s still unfolding.
Cheers!
Your Impact Tour Guide.
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