As part of my CAS experience, I had the opportunity to participate in Bal Mela, one of our school’s most joyful and community-centered events. Organized for students from local municipal schools, Bal Mela is a day dedicated to fun, connection, and inclusivity. It’s designed to give these children a memorable experience through games, food, music, and creative activities—all planned and run by students.
Whether it was helping manage stalls, coordinating activities, or simply being present to make sure the kids had a great time, every role came with a sense of responsibility and purpose. For me, Bal Mela wasn’t just about volunteering—it was about creating moments of joy, building empathy, and realizing the power of shared experiences. The energy was unmatched, and seeing the happiness on the children’s faces made every effort feel truly meaningful.
Through Bal Mela, I contributed to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering joy, inclusion, informal learning, and meaningful community collaboration for children from underserved backgrounds.
LO1 – Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth.
Bal Mela gave me the opportunity to step into a space that required both planning and spontaneous interaction. One strength I noticed was my ability to engage with the children easily and make them feel comfortable during the activities. I found it natural to create a light, fun atmosphere, whether it was helping them navigate a stall or simply talking to them in a way that felt approachable and warm. I also stayed organized and kept track of tasks throughout the day, which helped things run more smoothly at our station.
At the same time, I realized I could work on being more assertive when it comes to taking initiative in a large group. Sometimes I waited to be assigned something instead of stepping forward myself, especially during the more chaotic moments. I also saw that I could improve my ability to multitask under pressure—when things got a bit hectic, I had to consciously remind myself to stay focused and not get overwhelmed.
Overall, Bal Mela helped me better understand my strengths in communication and presence, while showing me areas like initiative and time-pressure management that I can continue to develop.
LO2 – Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills.
Bal Mela was a large-scale, high-energy event, and it definitely came with its share of challenges. One of the biggest was managing the constant flow of children at our stall while keeping the activity engaging, organized, and fair. With so many students excited to participate, things could get chaotic very quickly, and it was up to us to stay calm, keep the energy positive, and make sure everyone had a chance to be included.
This pushed me out of my comfort zone—I had to make quick decisions, think on my feet, and adapt the activity slightly depending on the group in front of me. I also learned how to gently redirect or guide children when they got too excited or distracted, which helped build my communication and crowd management skills.
By the end of the event, I felt more confident in handling unpredictable situations, multitasking under pressure, and staying composed even when things didn’t go exactly to plan. These were skills I hadn’t really had to use in this way before, and developing them through a meaningful event like Bal Mela made the experience even more rewarding.
LO4 – Show perseverance and commitment in CAS experience.
Bal Mela required consistent effort before, during, and even after the event. From helping with the setup to managing the stall throughout the day, I had to stay actively involved and fully present, even when things got tiring or overwhelming. The event demanded a lot of energy physically and mentally as we interacted with hundreds of children, all with different needs, attention spans, and personalities.
There were definitely moments when things got chaotic or repetitive, but I made sure to stay focused and enthusiastic throughout. I didn’t step away or slow down when things became stressful; instead, I reminded myself of the purpose behind the event and why it mattered. I kept showing up with the same energy from start to finish, knowing that even small actions like patiently explaining a game for the tenth time—were contributing to someone else’s joy.
This experience reminded me that perseverance isn’t always about doing something difficult it’s about staying consistent and committed, even in fast-paced, unpredictable situations.
LO5 – Demonstrate skills and benefits of working collaboratively.
Bal Mela was the kind of event that simply wouldn’t have been possible without teamwork. From setting up stalls to managing the constant crowd of students, everything depended on smooth coordination and shared responsibility. Throughout the day, I worked closely with my peers to keep things organized, take turns managing the stall, and make sure every child had a good experience.
One of the most important skills I developed was learning how to adapt my way of working depending on who I was paired with. Some teammates were more energetic, others more methodical—and finding a rhythm that worked between us was key. We had to make quick decisions, support each other when things got overwhelming, and communicate clearly so the flow of the stall wasn’t disrupted.
Working collaboratively also made the event more fun and less stressful. The shared sense of purpose and support made even the most hectic parts of the day feel manageable. It reminded me that teamwork isn’t just about dividing tasks it’s about building trust, being flexible, and showing up for one another in the moment.
LO7 – Recognise and consider the ethics of choices and actions.
Bal Mela wasn’t just about running activities it was about creating an inclusive and respectful environment for every child who attended. Many of the students came from different social and cultural backgrounds, and that made it important for us to be mindful of how we communicated, the kind of language we used, and how we made sure no one felt excluded or left out.
Even small decisions like how to divide time fairly at our stall, how to handle long queues without making kids feel rushed, or how to respond when someone didn’t understand the game had an ethical aspect to them. It reminded me that kindness, patience, and fairness are not just personal values, but choices we have to consciously apply in real-life situations.
Bal Mela made me more aware of the impact of my actions, especially when working with younger children who were trusting us to guide their experience. It taught me that ethical awareness isn’t always about big dilemmas it often shows up in how we treat people in everyday moments.
Bal Mela was one of the most meaningful CAS experiences I’ve been part of. It combined joy, responsibility, and community in a way that few events do. Through managing activities and engaging with children from different backgrounds, I not only developed practical skills like coordination, adaptability, and communication but also grew on a more personal level.
It reminded me that impact doesn’t always have to be complicated; sometimes, creating a space where others feel seen, included, and happy is enough. Working alongside my peers, navigating challenges, and seeing the genuine excitement on the children’s faces made the effort completely worth it. Bal Mela taught me how small actions when done with care and intention can leave a lasting impression.