Our school had organized a service program in which students from higher grade (8-11) come together with underprivileged children (mainly children from nearby our school area) and teach them something. These sessions were involved in many activities like arts and craft, cooking, sports, ICT skills, and dance too. This program required us to choose any of the activities of our wish and teach these children that activity. I chose to teach frisbee as I’m playing it for a few years and I have good skills and game sense. This service was for about a month and a half for every Saturday’s for two hours.

The curriculum we planned included:

• Introduction of what Ultimate Frisbee is.
• Basic forehand and backhand throws
• Huck drill
• In cuts and out cuts
• Fun games related to frisbee

LO1: Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

Even though there were many activities, I chose to teach frisbee as it is something which I have been playing and enjoying since I have learned about it. It gives me immense joy. I realized that I was able to connect to the students properly as there was no language barrier and I could understand and explain them properly in their language. However, doing this CAS activity seemed a bit difficult at the start as we had to perform it in a group and I did not know everyone’s strengths and weaknesses but gradually as I worked with them I was more comfortable and it made it easier to do the tasks.

Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will give you a better understanding of your own self and how you function as it keeps you ahead in many things like choosing a career. Also, it helps you grow more in person and enables you to accomplish your goals.

LO2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

There were few challenges which we faced as the children were of age group 7-12 and handling them was a difficult task as they were very excited. Some of the kids were very shy due to which it became more difficult to communicate with them as they did not speak much. The very first session of this service was very effective as it helped me to understand my teammates and then divide the tasks according to everyone’s strengths and weaknesses.

Taking the challenges makes me feel like I’m capable of more than what I think, it makes me stronger and also helps me learn to effectively deal with emotions. It provides a great opportunity for growth and a push to see where we belong.

LO3:  Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

The school had organized the service sessions, however, it was our duty to make a plan of the things we are supposed to teach. Though the school had already given us a rough plan of what to do in every session but it did not work all the time, as it took time for the children to grasp new things because of which we had to make a new plan on the spot which included different fun activities, keeping our objective same. For example, we taught them basic forehand and backhand throws in session 1 but then still they were not clear so we had to plan an activity which included forehand and backhand along with other skills like cutting.

I’m usually an organized person but I was a little difficult to fit 2 hours into my schedule as I was already loaded with SAT practice and extra ultimate frisbee practice. But then I feel happy that I took out 2 hours in a good cause.

LO4: Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences

This activity required a lot of dedication as we had to come on the weekends, the only days where we get a little time to rest and being a diploma program student everything is important and thus it became a bit difficult to take out time from our busy schedule. Nevertheless, seeing the energy of these students made it worth coming. In every session, there were children which were not present in the previous class so to make them learn we had to repeat a lot of activities.  Even though the activities were repeated everyone was excited and were taking this as a new opportunity to learn something new.

LO5: Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

I was able to work with others, this task wouldn’t have been possible if all of the members did not collaborate. And it was easy for me to communicate and collaborate with others as we have a better understanding of each other. As there were many students we divided our tasks, we tried to focus on every student by making groups and going around to check if they are learning properly. Though there were small quarrels in the team but that did not created any problem or affected the learning of any children.

LO6: Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance

The children who came for the service session were poor and couldn’t afford a quality education. Around the world, the effects of poverty on children can lead to lifelong exertions especially on young children as they don’t get a complete education. Also, poverty and lack of education cause some to leave education and go to work for money, which leaves them illiterate and lack several skills which they may need in their career. I think this issue can be minimized by people who are willing to go teach these children.

LO7: Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions

These children were from a lower class background, they do not have any high facility or high-quality education like we do, so we the students of Fountainhead school had to be sure that we do not seem very overawe as that would hamper their learning. We had to be sure that we create a comfortable environment for them where they can open up and learn properly. And I’m really happy to say that none of my team members teased or intimidate any of the children.

Finally, the achievement of our task gave me happiness and it made grow more in a person. I also realized that seeing someone else smile because of you is something undefinable.