Bal Mela is a community event organized by Fountainhead aimed at engaging children from different nearby schools in a variety of fun and educational activities, and I had the opportunity to help them teach how to make a mask mast from waste paper plates. Bal mela was an opportunity to bring joy to kids who might not often have access to such experiences. The event left a lasting impact on the children and community, as we saw how much the kids enjoyed and benefited from the activities. Personally, this experience helped me grow in terms of empathy and organizational skills, and it reinforced my commitment to community service. Bal Mela has been a valuable part of my CAS journey, and I look forward to participating in more events that create positive change.

LO1 – Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth
Participating in Bal Mela was an eye-opening experience. I discovered that my extroverted nature allowed me to connect easily with the children, helping create a fun and engaging environment. However, I also realized I need to improve my group management skills, particularly in high-energy settings. At times, I struggled to keep everyone involved and organized during activities.

LO4 – Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences
Participating in the Bal Mela has been an enriching experience that truly tested my commitment and perseverance. This is because at start it was very difficult for me to manage so many children together and I really felt like leaving that place and run, but their innocent faces and my perseverance and passion towards teaching them kept me committed.

LO6 – Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance
At Bal Mela, we prioritized sustainability by utilizing reusable and recycled materials, such as paper plates, ice cream sticks, wool, and painting colors, significantly reducing our environmental impact. The use of compostable paper plates minimized plastic waste, while craft activities encouraged children to creatively repurpose items, instilling a sense of responsibility toward the environment.

LO7 – Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions
Participating in the Bal Mela emphasized the importance of respecting every child not matter where they came from. We ensured that the event was inclusive and accessible, allowing every child to participate fully and feel welcomed. We focused on environment by ensuring the event was successful by using sustainable practices through eco-friendly resources. This experience highlighted the importance of making ethical decisions that positively impact both individuals and the broader community.