“Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.” – Albert Einstein. Participating in The Karuna Club has allowed me to build a passion for animal welfare and address the public health crisis of rabies among street dogs in Surat. The club’s aim is to care for these animals by organising rabies vaccination drives, preparing nutritious food, and collaborating with local institutes to spread awareness. Through fundraisers, bake sales, and community collaboration, we supported the street dogs and promoted a safe relationship between humans and animals. This experience has been a journey of compassion, responsibility, and skill-building.
LO 2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process
One of the greatest challenges was dealing with the dogs as I had never interacted closely with them .Before joining this club , I had a fear of being with dogs and mindset that stray dogs are dangerous . However, I gradually learned to manage my fear by understanding how other volunteers interacted with the dogs calmly and positively. Through hands-on experiences like vaccination drives , visiting shelters and food preparation sessions , I became more comfortable and confident, recognizing that these animals, deserve care, safety, and understanding.
LO 3: Illustrate how to start and organize a CAS experience
Though the club was already formed, I took charge of arranging awareness sessions and logistics for food preparation and vaccination drives. I consulted other members to determine quantities, acquire materials, and split duties. I also contacted local volunteers to provide additional assistance. This planning phase taught me that communication, time management, and working together were crucial in carrying out community-based projects successfully. Taking the initiative made me feel more accountable for the club’s reach and challenged me to be creative about how to extend our reach.
LO 4: Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences
Commitment was essential to sustain The Karuna Club’s efforts, especially when facing setbacks such as limited resources and challenging weather conditions during the vaccination drives. showing commitment in the club made me feel responsible for each dog’s well-being, which motivated me to move foward. Commitment and perseverance are crucial for any impactful project, as they drive us to follow through, even when it’s difficult. Staying focused and workinging with determination has deepened my understanding of responsibility, and this experience showed me how rewarding it feels to persist in something meaningful and make someone feel happy.
LO 5: Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively
Collaborating with others is usually easy for me, but this experience pushed me to communicate clearly and work with diverse personalities. During the club , it was challenging to align everyone’s schedules and ensure they understood safety protocols. I learned to handle differing opinions constructively, and the experience taught me the importance of flexibility and patience Teamwork and shared leadership in this activity with the power of collaboration and empathy allowed us to achieve common goals.
LO 6: Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance
The issues of rabies and animal welfare are globally significant, as rabies poses a threat to people’s health risk and it can be prevented. This experience has made me aware of the larger implications of animal health on society, and addressing this locally is my way of contributing to a global solution. Learning about these issues has expanded my understanding of public health and my responsibility to care for animals. Knowing that I am part of a global effort to create a safer environment makes me feel proud and motivated to continue working toward animal welfare.
LO 7: Identify and reflect on the ethics of decisions and actions
During this journey, I realized more and more the ethical nature of our work—being respectful to animals, keeping them safe throughout the process of vaccination, and encouraging humane treatment in the community. I wondered how our behavior might project upon others dealing with stray animals. Kindness, gentleness, and responsibility were crucial since we were representatives of the values of empathy and respect. This learnt me that ethical decision-making is not merely about not doing wrong but actually doing good for other people and the world.
During the Club , I developed the learner profile attributes of Caring, Balanced, and Reflective. The Karuna Club has shown me the importance of empathy, the value of animal welfare, and how my contribution can benefit my society. I felt proud and happy seeing the dogs we vaccinated healthy and free from rabies risk, a visible sign of our impact. This project allowed me to show my commitment to giving back to my community and supporting public health initiatives. I plan to carry forward these skills and apply them in future projects that promote compassion and health in society.
