Every year, Fountainhead School hosts a Bal Mela, a special day dedicated to bringing joy to underprivileged children. We open our doors to kids from government schools and organize a variety of fun activities like face painting, three-legged races, and games like “dog and the bone”. As one of the event coordinators, my responsibility was to ensure everything ran smoothly.

Our team had to arrange volunteers and gather resources for over 30 different activities. Clear communication was key as we shared our expectations with the volunteers and made sure all the necessary supplies were ordered and packed ahead of the big day. It was a rewarding experience seeing the smiles on the children’s faces and knowing we had played a part in creating a memorable day for them.

LO3 : Initiate and plan a CAS experience.

Planning an event like bal mela from scratch was definitely a challenging task. The number of resources me and my team had to gather and the number of people we had to coordinate with were huge. I knew I was good at writing formal emails or communicating with people so that was my main job, apart from that I realized that giving instructions and writing them formally was one of my strengths. Additionally, creating a seamless program flow for the event and effectively communicating expectations to the volunteers were crucial aspects that demanded my attention. Going through this experience, I gained a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of event management and coordination. This knowledge will for sure help me prepare events in the future

LO4: Show perseverance and commitment in CAS experience.

Before the main event, thorough preparation was done. We had effectively communicated with the volunteers and ensured that they comprehended our expectations. Communicating with volunteers was not always easy as they could be obstinate and occasionally unreachable due the large no.of volunteers. I was perseverent while organizing resources and arranging meetings with volunteers. I had given 100% efforts and commitment which helped underprivileged children have fun and enjoy the event. 

LO5: Demonstrate skills and benefits of working collaboratively.

We were a core team of 6 people along with our teacher coordinator who had to take care of the different tasks, such as decoration, resource procurement, and volunteer coordination. By delegating tasks to the teams, we were able to make the process simple and achievable so that everything was taken care of in a timely and efficient manner. We as a team collaborated with each other to ensure that there was cohesion and synchronization between all aspects of the event. It was remarkable to see the level of cooperation and coordination displayed by the US, as we worked tirelessly to make the event a resounding success. The decoration team was responsible for creating an ambiance that was both festive and welcoming, while the resource team ensured that we had all the necessary materials and equipment needed for the event. Finally, participating equally in the volunteer team was crucial to manage the volunteers, ensuring that they were informed and motivated to execute their duties with diligence and enthusiasm.

LO 6: Engagement with issues of global significance.

The issue of inadequate facilities and underdevelopment among children from low-income families was a growing concern on a global scale. In an effort to address this issue, the Bal Mela event provided children from low-income families with opportunities to develop holistically, both mentally and physically, through engaging activities in arts, sports, and games. The volunteers from Fountainhead School played a pivotal role in facilitating this development, as they worked tirelessly to create an environment that was welcoming, inclusive, and educational. By providing a space where children from low-income families could unwind and enjoy themselves, the Bal Mela event played an important role in their overall well-being. Moreover, through these activities, children learned valuable life skills, such as teamwork, communication, and creativity, which could help them succeed in various aspects of their lives.

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

In this situation, it was crucial to uphold core values like fairness, respect, honesty, and accountability, especially when dealing with young individuals and making ethical choices as the event manager. Being mindful of their age, I approached them with caution, understanding they might be more sensitive. Regardless of their background, I ensured they received the same level of respect and care. We made sure to address their needs with compassion and empathy.