LO 4, 5, 6, 7

In my CAS experience, “Donate Food,” I not only contributed to providing food for underprivileged children but also played a part in their education. I found myself connecting with these children through unconventional methods, particularly using numbers as a universal language to bridge the communication gap caused by a language barrier. Despite the challenges, I collaborated with my peers to support their learning, demonstrating several CAS learning outcomes.

LO4 – Show perseverance and commitment in CAS experience

This experience demanded regular commitment, especially as it took place over multiple weekends. Attending consistently, despite the challenges of waking up early on weekends, required perseverance. Additionally, teaching the children through math, despite not sharing a common language, tested my patience and resolve. It was rewarding to see small breakthroughs when the children understood concepts through non-verbal cues and the universal language of numbers.

LO5 – Demonstrate skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

Throughout this experience, collaboration was essential. Due to the language barrier, I often sought help from peers who could communicate better with the children or shared strategies for engaging them. Working together, we created fun activities around basic math concepts, making learning enjoyable. This collaboration allowed us to teach effectively while also serving nutritious food to the children at the end of each session. It highlighted the importance of teamwork in achieving a common goal.

LO6 – Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance

This activity touched on two global issues: hunger and quality education. By donating food, we ensured the children had access to nutritious meals, while simultaneously, by teaching them mathematics and supporting their education striving for equal education. This experience gave me a deeper understanding of how hunger and lack of education often go hand-in-hand, perpetuating cycles of poverty. Addressing both at once made the impact of our efforts more meaningful.

LO7 – Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions

During this experience, the difference between my own privileged background and the children’s situation was absolute. This led me to reflect on my own actions—wasting food, taking education for granted—and the ethical responsibility to use my resources wisely. We were mindful to treat the children with respect and dignity, ensuring that our actions had a positive impact on their well-being.

Conclusion

This CAS experience not only allowed me to contribute to the well-being of underprivileged children but also taught me valuable lessons in communication, collaboration, and empathy. The challenges I faced, such as the language barrier, pushed me to find creative solutions and seek help from others. This experience left a lasting impact on me, reinforcing the importance of perseverance, collaboration, and ethical responsibility in addressing global issues like hunger and education inequality.