I had the opportunity to volunteer for Anand Utsav- a day dedicated to celebrating the support staff at Fountainhead School. As part of a team of Grade 11 students, I helped organize the event and helped run various activities designed to strengthen the bonds between our didi’s and bhaiya’s and the students.

Learning Outcome 5: Demonstrate skills and benefits of working collaboratively

From the initial planning stages to the final execution of the event, all the volunteers worked together as a team. We divided tasks among each other to make sure the event would run smoothly. I personally worked on decorating the venues for the event and helped guide different groups of support staff from one venue to the other. This experience clearly demonstrates the skills and benefits of working as a team.

Learning Outcome 6: Engagement with issues of global significance

Although a local event, Anand Utsav touched upon a lot of issues of global significance including the Sustainable Development Goals. The event mainly catered to

• SDG 4: Quality Education- Although the event wasn’t a formal education setting, it provided valuable social and emotional learning experiences for different people of the school community, including the students and support staff. As students, we learned about empathy, teamwork and communication- few of the essential components of quality education. The support staff on the other hand were benefitted as the event built a positive relationship within the school community.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities- Anand Utsav clearly worked towards reducing inequalities by valuing and celebrating the support staff at school. It promoted social inclusion and helped break down barriers between the students and staff.

Learning Outcome 7: Recognizing and considering the ethics of choices and actions

Organizing Anand Utsav helped all the volunteers reflect on the ethics of their choices and actions by emphasizing the importance of respectful interactions- conducting the event in a manner that upheld the dignity of the support staff, responsible resource management, and authentic appreciation and celebration of the staff.

Reflecting on my experience, it was genuinely a day filled with joy and meaningful connections and I’m glad to have been part of this wholesome event.