I volunteered at Bal Mela, an event organized by Fountainhead School for underprivileged children from government schools across the city. As a volunteer for the Hula Hoop Race segment, my role involved organizing and managing the activity, ensuring the children had fun while also encouraging them to stay active and engaged.

LO 2 : Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken , developing new skills

Participating in Bal Mela and organizing the Hula Hoop Race for underprivileged children came with its own set of challenges, pushing me to adapt and develop new skills. One of the biggest challenges was ensuring that all the children actively participated and enjoyed the activity. Since many of them had never used a hula hoop before, some struggled initially, while others were hesitant to join in. My friends and I had to find creative ways to keep them engaged, demonstrating the technique ourselves and offering encouragement to those who found it difficult.One of the biggest challenges was dealing with the large number of rambunctious children, being fair during the races and maintaining afun and welcoming environment. This took excellent communication, fast decision-making, and patience. This experience taught me stronger leadership and problem-solving skills and how to adjust instructions according to each child’s comfort level.By the end of the event, it was incredibly rewarding to see the children laughing, enjoying themselves, and gaining confidence as they played.

LO 3 : Initiate and Plan a CAS experience

Conducting games  for many children involved planning and preparation. We all talked among ourselves before the activity about how we would organize the games , that it would be enjoyable, fair, and organized with the available number of kids. We divided the workload between us—some of us talked about the game, others taught them how to play with the hula hoop, and a few of them monitored the race and made sure everyone got their turn. Certain children were slower to understand the activity, and others needed several turns. We needed to make changes on the spot, making space for additional rounds of practice but still ensuring that the race was fair and in order.. It showed me that no matter how well one plans, things do not always work out in real life, and having the ability to think quickly was essential in making the activity a success.

LO 4 : Show perseverance and commitment in CAS experience

Working with a lively bunch of kids for a long time was physically and emotionally draining. Maintaining their attention and making sure each child enjoyed the experience took loads of energy and patience. There were times when things seemed too much , particularly when several kids were eagerly demanding another turn or when others got frustrated and needed extra pep. In spite of these obstacles, I stuck with it to ensure that the experience was enjoyable for all. Even when it became hard to control the sizeable group, I kept reminding myself that my responsibility was to provide a fun and interactive setting for these children, many of whom hardly ever got the chance to be involved in such an experience. This experience taught me the importance of persistence—remaining interested, energetic, and supportive even when things didn’t work out as expected. Ultimately, watching the children smile and be so excited made all the work worth it, reminding me that little moments of happiness can leave a lasting impression.

LO 5 : Demonstrate skills and benefits of working collaboratively

Bal Mela was really a test of coordination. Without coordination, it would have been difficult to handle the children, clarify the activity to them, and conduct the race efficiently. My friends and I had to coordinate among ourselves so that everything went according to plan and no child was left behind. Initially, we had coordination problems, with everyone attempting to deal with something different in the game at the same time, which caused a bit of confusion. But once we identified the problem, we immediately reallocated tasks more efficiently—some of us dealt with interacting with the kids, others took care of the race, and some assisted with the kids who needed help. It made the activity go a lot smoother and more efficiently.I learned the value of trusting others on my team and communicating clearly about responsibilities. I understood that collaboration not only makes the work easier but also enables a more positive and well-structured experience for all parties. 

LO 6 :  Engagement with issues of global significance

Bal Mela highlighted the global issue of educational and social inequality. Many of the children who attended came from disadvantaged backgrounds where they lack access to recreational activities, structured play, and quality education. Seeing their excitement at something as simple as a hula hoop race made me reflect on the privileges I often take for granted.Education is not merely about schoolwork—it’s also about socialization, exercise, and self-improvement. Many kids in underprivilegedcommunities lack these experiences, which can restrict their confidence and overall development. Although our event was a small one, it underscored the value of making such experiences available to all children, regardless of their circumstances.

LO 7 : Recognise and consider the ethics of choices and actions.

As volunteers, we had an ethical responsibility to ensure that all children felt included and comfortable. Some children were shy or hesitant to participate, so it was important to encourage them without forcing them into something they weren’t comfortable with. Creating a safe and supportive atmosphere where participation was voluntary was essential in making the activity enjoyable for everyone.Another ethical issue was ensuring that the races were fair. With so many eager children eager to play, it was important to , ensure that everyone had an equal chance to play. We also needed to be careful about how we treated the children, being respectful and ensuring that they felt important throughout the process.By doing this, I was taught how to balance inclusivity, fairness, and participation in managing a group.

Conclusion

Volunteering for Bal Mela was an extremely enriching experience that forced me out of my comfort zone but enabled me to make a tiny but valuable difference. It made me struggle to be flexible, tolerant, and cooperative and reminded me of social inequalities and moral obligations. Watching the smile and excitement of the children was the most gratifying experience, and it showed me that even the most ordinary things can provide unlimited joy if they are made available to everyone.