Service

Bal Mela is an event where children from various schools visit ours for a day of fun activities. As a volunteer, I was initially assigned to the Sports section, but due to some last-minute changes, I was moved to Arts and Crafts an hour before the event. My activity was “Newspaper Flower Making”, which I did not know how to conduct since my activity had been changed to this just a while ago.

LO1 – Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

I have never been particularly skilled in arts and crafts, so leading an activity like Newspaper Flower Making was a challenge. However, I focused on learning quickly and adapting to the situation. While I initially struggled, I realized that my strength was guiding and encouraging the children, which helped make the activity engaging for them. A lot of the children that visited were comfortable only communicating in Gujarati, which is a language that I do not speak fluently. However, I tried my best to guide the children through signs, certain phrases in Gujarati that I was aware of, or with the help of support staff and peers. This experience showed me that even when I lack expertise in a skill, I can still contribute by creating a positive learning environment.

LO2 – Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

Since I hadn’t practiced making newspaper flowers before, I had to quickly learn and adapt to teach the children properly. I observed others, tried it out myself, and simplified the steps to make them easier to follow. By the end of the activity, I had not only successfully guided the children but also learned a new skill myself. This experience reinforced the importance of problem-solving and adaptability when faced with unexpected challenges.

LO4 – Show perseverance and commitment in CAS experience

The event was on a Saturday, so I came to school specifically for the event. The last-minute switch to Arts and Crafts was unexpected, and it would have been easy to feel unprepared. However, I remained committed to making the activity a success by learning on the spot and staying engaged throughout. Even when I struggled at first, I ensured that the children received proper guidance and had an enjoyable experience. Pushing through the challenge and staying dedicated to my role helped make the event successful.

LO5 – Demonstrate skills and benefits of working collaboratively

Bal Mela required teamwork and coordination between volunteers. I had to work with other volunteers and observe how they handled their activities before adapting my own approach. I also coordinated with fellow volunteers to ensure all the materials were available and the children were guided properly. Through collaboration, I was able to overcome initial challenges and deliver a smoother experience for the visiting children.

Conclusion

This experience helped me understand the importance of adaptability, teamwork, and perseverance. Even though I was placed in an unfamiliar situation, I managed to learn quickly and turn it into a good experience for both myself and the children. I also realized that working collaboratively and staying committed can help overcome challenges, like even when things don’t go as planned.

Evidence: