Bal Mela is an annual event organized by our school, dedicated to creating a memorable and joy-filled experience for children from underprivileged backgrounds. For one day, students from various schools visit our campus to participate in games, performances, and interactive sessions designed to engage, entertain, and educate. The event aimed to bring smiles to their faces while also fostering a sense of inclusivity and community. 

For my role, I was stationed at the tattoo-making booth, where I helped children choose and painted tattoos. Although it seemed like a small task, it turned out to be one of the most fulfilling experiences—seeing their excitement and fascination as they picked out designs and proudly showed them off to their friends. It reminded me that even simple gestures can bring happiness and create a lasting impact

LO5: Demonstrating Skills and Benefits of Working Collaboratively

Bal Mela was a team effort, requiring coordination and cooperation to ensure that each station ran smoothly. At the tattoo-making booth, I worked alongside my peers to manage the crowd, engage with the children, and ensure that every participant had a great experience. Effective communication was key—we had to divide responsibilities, ensure that each child was attended to, and adapt to the fast-paced environment.

Working collaboratively allowed us to problem-solve efficiently—whether it was organizing the queue, finding ways to entertain the children while they waited, or ensuring that every child left the booth happy. This experience reinforced the importance of teamwork, as no single person could have managed the event alone. It showed me how collective effort leads to greater impact, making the event a success not just for us, but for the children who came to enjoy it.

LO6: Engagement with Issues of Global Significance

This event highlighted education inequality and social disparity, issues that are prevalent not only locally but worldwide. Many of the children who attended do not have access to extracurricular activities like the ones we take for granted. Seeing their enthusiasm and joy made me reflect on the importance of inclusive opportunities for all children, regardless of their background.

Additionally, Bal Mela emphasized the right of every child to experience joy, creativity, and self-expression. By providing them with a space to learn, play, and connect, we contributed—at least in a small way—to bridging the gapbetween privilege and opportunity. This experience made me more aware of the role I can play in addressing social inequalities, even through small acts of service.

LO7: Recognizing and Considering the Ethics of Choices and Actions

Bal Mela also brought up important ethical considerations—how we interact with and support children from disadvantaged backgrounds matters. It was crucial to ensure that our actions were respectful and empowering, rather than making the children feel like charity recipients. Instead of viewing them through the lens of their hardships, we focused on creating an inclusive environment where they felt valued and celebrated.

Another ethical aspect was ensuring that every child had an equal opportunity to participate. At the tattoo-making booth, we made sure that every child received a tattoo regardless of how long they had to wait. We also took care to engage with them kindly and enthusiastically, making them feel just as important as any other student. This experience reinforced the importance of treating others with dignity and ensuring fairness in any service initiative.

Final takeaways

Bal Mela was an eye-opening and deeply fulfilling experience that reinforced teamwork, social awareness, and ethical responsibility. It aligned with the UNSDG Goals of Quality Education and Reducing Inequality, as it provided children with a safe space to explore, learn, and experience joy—something that every child deserves, regardless of their background.

This experience also helped me embody the Caring learner profile by engaging with the children in a warm and welcoming manner, ensuring they felt valued and included. Additionally, I developed the Open-Minded attribute by interacting with children from different backgrounds, understanding their perspectives, and embracing the diversity of experiences they brought with them. Bal Mela reminded me that service isn’t just about providing for others—it’s about creating shared experiences that uplift and empower everyone involved.