For the Global Odyssey event, my team organized a food stall selling cake pops, garlic bread with dip, and iced tea. This experience involved more than just preparing food, it required planning, creativity, adaptability, and teamwork. We aimed to raise funds for a meaningful cause, and this service experience helped us understand the effort behind fundraising and how small actions can contribute to global change.

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

Organizing and managing the stall came with several challenges. Preparing large batches of cake pops and garlic bread, along with enough iced tea to serve a constant flow of customers, tested our time management and organizational skills. We had to troubleshoot problems like equipment failure, maintaining food freshness in the heat, and preparing last-minute batches when items began running out. Through this, we learned how to stay calm under pressure, think quickly, and adapt to changing circumstances. We developed new skills such as efficient multitasking, portion management, and maintaining hygiene while serving food during peak hours.

LO3 – Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

Planning the food stall required extensive coordination and preparation well before the event day. We started by brainstorming what to sell, keeping in mind the target audience, affordability, ease of preparation, and storage. After deciding on cake pops, garlic bread with dip, and iced tea, we distributed responsibilities for recipe testing, ingredient purchasing, budgeting, and creating marketing materials like banners and signs.

We also had to plan the logistics for the day of the event deciding how much quantity to prepare, how to package and serve efficiently, and how to keep food fresh and safe. We even created a pricing strategy that was fair and attractive to buyers while ensuring a decent margin to raise funds for charity.

While planning, we had to consider time constraints, division of work, and sourcing of materials within a budget. We created to-do lists and schedules and continuously updated each other through group discussions and planning sessions. This proactive planning helped us handle the high-pressure environment during the actual event. The entire process helped me grow in my organizational and leadership abilities, as I learned how to turn a concept into a fully executed initiative that not only worked efficiently but had a meaningful purpose behind it.

LO4 – Show perseverance and commitment in CAS experience

From the initial planning to the final donation, this experience required consistent effort and follow-through. There were long hours spent baking, prepping, designing stall posters, and coordinating ingredients. On the day of the event, we had to stay active and energetic, constantly serving customers and restocking items. Despite setbacks like equipment overheating and high customer demand, we remained dedicated and pushed through every challenge. Our commitment to raising funds and delivering a good experience to every customer kept us motivated throughout the journey.

LO5 – Demonstrate skills and benefits of working collaboratively

This event was truly a team effort. We divided roles based on individual strengths—some members focused on baking and garnishing the cake pops and garlic bread, while others took charge of preparing and serving iced tea. A few of us managed customer interaction and handled payments. This division of responsibilities helped us run the stall smoothly and efficiently. Regular communication, mutual support, and trust were essential in ensuring that everyone stayed on track. We learned the value of collaboration and how a well-coordinated team can overcome any challenge.

LO6 – Engagement with issues of global significance

To ensure our project had a broader impact, we chose to donate the earnings from our stall to a charitable organization addressing global issues such as hunger, education, or health access. We researched potential organizations and reflected on how local actions—like running a food stall—can support causes that affect people globally. This experience helped us understand our role as global citizens and how even small-scale fundraising initiatives can contribute to long-term global change.

LO7 – Recognise and consider the ethics of choices and actions

Ethical considerations were important throughout this experience. We made sure our pricing was fair, accessible to students and staff, and reflective of the value of our food without being excessive. We ensured transparency in how we communicated our fundraising goals, making it clear that all proceeds would be donated. Furthermore, we prioritized food safety and hygiene in both preparation and serving, recognizing our responsibility toward customers. We also researched the chosen charity thoroughly to ensure our donations would be used ethically and responsibly.

Conclusion

This CAS experience was deeply rewarding. It allowed us to step into the shoes of small-scale entrepreneurs while working toward a larger cause. We gained skills in planning, teamwork, and customer service, and more importantly, we learned how to persist in the face of real-world challenges. By contributing to a global issue through a local initiative, we felt a strong sense of purpose and fulfilment, knowing that our efforts could make a small but meaningful difference.