Our school organises Bal Mela every year to encourage underprivileged students by aiming to bring a fun-filled day with different activities from various categories, such as arts and crafts, games, and dance. This year I had an opportunity to be a volunteer by helping core-committee members by facilitating one of the workshops, which was bracelet making, in which we needed to help the students make bracelets for them.The students were happy to showcase their creativity and proudly wear the bracelets they made. It was a rewarding experience to see the joy and sense of accomplishment on their faces.

LO1: Identify Own Strengths and Develop Areas for Growth

Volunteering at the Bal Mela was a great opportunity for me to discover my strengths and areas for growth. Facilitating the bracelet-making workshop allowed me to explore my ability to guide and support students through a creative activity. I realized that I am good at being patient and explaining steps clearly,which helped the students stay engaged throughout the session.In spite of that, I also identified areas for improvement, such as managing time better and ensuring that every child got equal attention at the same time, especially when the workshop became very occupied with so many students wanting bracelets. This experience also pushed me to step out of my comfort zone by interacting with younger and underprivileged students, which improved my confidence in working with children.Moving forward I aim to develop my Organisational skills,Time management skills and Attention to detail skills.

LO7: Recognise and Consider the Ethics of Choices and Actions

Facilitating in the bracelet-making workshop also made me reflect on the ethical responsibility of creating an inclusive and respectful environment for the students. Many of the children came from underprivileged backgrounds, so it was essential to make sure they felt welcome and valued throughout the activity and whole experience. I was mindful of encouraging their creativity without being too controlling, allowing them to express themselves freely with their own preferences.Moreover,I made an effort to treat each student equally, ensuring that everyone had access to the materials and attention they needed to make the bracelet. This experience reminded me of the importance of being compassionate and respectful, especially when working with communities that may not have the same privileges we often take for granted. It strengthens my value of small, thoughtful actions in creating a positive experience for others.

To conclude,Volunteering at the Bal Mela was a meaningful experience that helped me discover my strengths, such as patience and clear communication, while also highlighting areas where I could grow, like time management and organisation.It was rewarding to see the students enjoy the bracelet-making workshop and showcase their creativity.