Bal Mela was honestly just a fun event where we played with kids and had a good time. Our school set it up for kids from government schools so they could come, play games, and enjoy themselves for a day. I was given the task of handling dodgeball, which sounded easy at first, but once the game started and the heat picking up, I realized it was not as simple as I thought.

LO2 – Demonstrating Challenges and Developing New Skills

Handling the dodgeball game had its challenges. Some kids were excited, but others were unsure or didn’t want to play. Explaining the rules properly was difficult because not everyone paid attention, and some kids just made up their own way of playing. I had to change my way of explaining so they would understand better. Also, keeping the game fair was hard because some kids kept playing extra turns while others didn’t get a chance. I had to step in and manage that. This whole thing made me more patient and better at handling a group.

LO3 – Initiating and Planning a CAS Experience

Even though it was just a game, there was actual planning involved. We had to set up the playing area, decide the teams, and figure out how to keep the game going smoothly. It wasn’t as simple as I thought because new kids kept joining in randomly, and we had to adjust the teams again and again. Also, we had to plan how to give everyone a turn without the game becoming boring or unfair, also giving everyone a fair chance to play.

LO5 – Demonstrating Skills and Benefits of Working Collaboratively

One of the best parts was working with other volunteers. At first, I thought I could handle everything, but when more kids joined, it became too much. Other volunteers helped explain the game, manage the turns, and keep things under control. If one of us got stuck, someone else stepped in without needing to ask. The teamwork made everything run better, and I saw how important it is to have people working together instead of trying to do everything alone.

LO6 – Engagement with Issues of Global Significance

This experience made me think about how not all kids get the same opportunities. For us, playing sports is normal, but for many of these kids, this was a special day. Some of them didn’t even know basic games because they don’t get to play often. It made me realize how unfair things can be—some kids have so many opportunities while others don’t even have a proper playground. It’s a small thing, but it shows how life is different for different people.

LO7 – Recognizing and Considering the Ethics of Choices and Actions

During the event, we had to make sure everyone got a fair chance to play. Some kids were confident and took over the game, while others stayed quiet and didn’t participate. I had to make sure even the shy ones got a turn, so they didn’t feel left out. Also, the way we spoke to the kids mattered because they looked up to us. I realized that even in simple activities, our behavior can make a difference in how others feel.

Conclusion

Bal Mela was a simple but meaningful experience. It wasn’t just about playing games, but also about making sure everyone felt included and had fun. I learned how to manage a group, explain things better, and work with a team. More importantly, it made me think about how small things like a fun event can mean a lot to people who don’t get such chances often.