The NIST Development Bank (NDB) is a service project started by a group of

IB Diploma Economics students who wanted to apply what they were

studying in their class for the greater good. These students realized that the
several meaningful service projects at NIST constantly struggled with funding.
By expediting the funding process, service groups could move straight to the
'action' stage, yielding positive results in a time-efficient manner. This also
created a culture of accountability within service, as the process of procuring
appropriate resources is carried out through a transparent loaning and
granting system.
The NIST Development Bank (NDB) is a service project started by a group of
IB Diploma Economics students who wanted to apply what they were
studying in their class for the greater good. The organization has funded
several meaningful service projects here at NIST, which have both directly
and indirectly benefited the lives of thousands. Expediting the funding
process allowed these service groups to move straight to the action stage,
yielding results in a time-efficient manner. The process of procuring
appropriate resources is done through a transparent systematic and
accountable loaning and granting system.
Although the organization was set-up primarily to help those outside of NIST,
NDB membership has been a decidedly meaningful experience. Vishuka
Mathur, a Year 11 student says; "Joining the NIST Development Bank has
opened my eyes to how finances are managed. Ive experienced teamwork
and unity, and it's purpose in service." Furthermore, those who were involved
with the NIST Development bank have used this experience to do other
wonderful things. Chakrapoj Chitwannapa from the Class of 2014 was
awarded the International Student Award by the Council of International
Schools for his amazing work in service, which included leading NDB.
In recent months the bank has supported several meaningful projects. THese have been
small and large, as well as realistic and ambitious. One of its largest grants was awarded
to the Maeramit Development Group, a service group devoted to improving the quality of
life in a village in northern Thailand.
They are currently working to make the areas water secure, and increase the levels of
overall sanitation. While an ambitious project, the team has successfully built eight toilets
and during their most recent trip, started work on water tank that will provide a reliable
source of water for the village during drier months. Over the past two years, the bank
has given a total of THB110,000 in grants to help funds these projects, which will have a
direct impact on the livelihoods of the villagers.