Building Belonging Through Shared Stories

At Green City International School in Egypt, two inspiring students — Aisha Amin and Saja Amr; Team: The Threads That Bind Us  — transformed a simple idea into a powerful act of inclusion through their replicable, in-school activity: The Belonging Wall.

As part of the United Voices Movement, their project focused on a simple yet profound question: What makes us feel like we truly belong?

The Belonging Wall: A Space for Every Voice

The Belonging Wall was displayed in a central hallway of the school and invited students from all grade levels to contribute. Using short personal stories, drawings, and meaningful quotes, students shared what makes them feel included in their school community.

Responses ranged from friendships and supportive teachers to memorable activities, achievements, and everyday moments that make school feel like a second home.

What Happened

As students approached the wall, curiosity quickly turned into reflection. Many paused thoughtfully before writing, while others shared memories with friends or proudly read what their peers had written. The wall quickly became a living space of connection — filled with honesty, warmth, and shared experiences.

The Impact

The activity strengthened the school’s sense of unity and inclusion by:

• Giving students a safe space to express themselves

• Encouraging empathy across grade levels

• Highlighting both differences and shared values

• Reinforcing that belonging is built through everyday kindness

For Aisha and Saja, seeing students connect through words and emotions was deeply meaningful. The Belonging Wall became more than a display — it became a reminder that every voice matters and that community grows when we listen.

A Replicable Act of Inclusion

What makes this activity especially powerful is its simplicity and replicability. Any school can create a Belonging Wall — a low-cost, high-impact way to foster tolerance, reflection, and unity.

Through this initiative, Aisha and Saja showed that inclusion doesn’t require grand gestures — sometimes, it starts with a wall, a pen, and the courage to share.

✨ United Voices is proud to celebrate students who turn empathy into action.