The community service program involves students from various schools around FS, visiting our school on weekends and spending time with us by participating in different activities such as dance, arts and crafts, science projects, and ICT.
As a volunteer for arts and crafts, we were divided into different groups, with a few sets of students assigned to each volunteer. Every weekend, we taught them various crafts such as paper snakes, leaf art, and marble bookmarks. While the first weekend was a bit chaotic as we (FS volunteers) and the guest students were new to one another, the experience soon became more organized. Personally, I was concerned about the communication gap and whether I could teach effectively.
To address this challenge (LOI 2), I practiced the craft-making process multiple times before the session, ensuring I was confident in my approach and could guide students clearly. I communicated with them in Hindi and Gujarati, adjusting my pace to match their understanding and skill levels. I emphasized creating a joyful experience by allowing them creative freedom, such as selecting colors for their bookmarks or deciding on designs for leaf art. This approach helped foster their creativity while keeping them engaged and motivated.
Through this service, I was able to address the global significance of promoting inclusive and equitable education (LOI 6). By engaging with students from different schools and backgrounds, I contributed to reducing inequalities in learning opportunities. These sessions encouraged creativity, collaboration, and the development of skills like patience and problem-solving for both the students and myself.
During the second week, students from my previous group greeted me with bright smiles, eager to learn the new craft. Their enthusiasm energized me and reinforced the joy of service. Despite time constraints caused by varying speeds of work, dividing the students into smaller groups of 2-3 ensured personalized attention. Everyone completed their crafts and left happy, which highlighted the importance of effective planning and adaptability in achieving positive outcomes.
LOI 6- Engagement with issues of global significance
LOI 2- Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills
Strand of CAS: Service
This experience not only enabled me to develop skills like communication, leadership, and adaptability but also allowed me to contribute to a meaningful cause, fostering creativity and inclusivity in education.
Below is the certificate attached for my service.