Experience Details
Participating in Bal Mela was a truly enriching CAS experience. Bal Mela is all about providing underprivileged children with a day of fun, learning, and sports at our school. My role was to teach them football shooting, ensuring they not only learned a new skill but also felt confident and included. I tried my best to encourage enthusiasm and joy in these children while also developing my own communication and leadership skills. Through this experience, I aimed to create a positive and lasting impact on their lives while understanding the broader issues they face.
Reflection on Learning Outcomes
LO 3: Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience
Planning my session for the children required a structured approach. I had to think of simple, engaging ways to teach football shooting, considering their varying levels of experience. This taught me the importance of preparation, adaptability, and effective time management, as I had to ensure that all children got equal attention and encouragement.
LO 5: Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively
While I was in charge of football shooting, my fellow volunteers and I worked together to ensure a seamless experience. We took turns teaching, goalkeeping, organizing students, and maintaining decorum to create an engaging and structured session. This experience strengthened my teamwork skills and highlighted how collaboration enhances problem-solving, adaptability, and overall effectiveness in achieving a shared goal.
LO 6: Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance
This experience highlighted how there is a such a huge gap in access to recreational and educational opportunities for underprivileged children. Sports anf arts are often inaccessible to many due to financial and social barriers. By engaging with these children, I understood the real-world implications of inequality and the importance of inclusive initiatives like Bal Mela.
LO 7: Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions
Ethical considerations were crucial, as the event was about more than just having fun—it was about making a meaningful impact. Treating the children with respect, ensuring fairness, and fostering a safe environment were key responsibilities. I became more conscious of the privilege I hold and the responsibility to use it for positive change.
IB Learner Profiles
Caring: I demonstrated the learner profile Caring by engaging and interacting with the children. I ensured that they were truly enjoying and were having fun. I spoke to them as they were my friends, and made sure they didn’t feel like an outsider.
Communicator: I demonstrated the learner profile Communicator because I effectively communicated with the little children. Teaching football shooting required me to provide simple but clear explanations to ensure that the children can grab ahold of the information. I repeated my instructions time to time to make sure they stay on track, I also corrected them whenever needed.
Principled – I demonstrated the learner profile Principled because I took responsibility for my actions by ensuring fairness in coaching, treating each child equally, and providing constructive feedback. I maintained integrity by encouraging an inclusive and enthusiastic atmosphere where every child felt valued and motivated to participate.
Balanced: I demonstrated the learner profile Balanced becaused I ensured to integrated both fun and skill-building, I ensured that the children not only enjoyed themselves but also learned valuable techniques. Encouraging them to practice and improve their football shooting skills while fostering teamwork created a well-rounded experience that balanced enjoyment with personal growth.
Reflective: I demonstrated the learner profile Reflective because, after the event, I reflected on the impact of my contribution, realizing how small efforts can create meaningful change. Seeing the children’s excitement and confidence grow throughout the session made me appreciate the importance of encouragement, inclusivity, and patience in fostering a positive learning environment.
Final Takeaway
This experience was fun and rewarding. It showed me how sports can bring people together and give kids a chance to learn and enjoy themselves. I also realized how much I take for granted. Seeing the kids’ excitement and energy made me appreciate the importance of giving back in simple ways. I left Bal Mela feeling happy that I could contribute, even in a small way, to making their day more enjoyable.