Service Learning

1. Consider the effectiveness of the project, considering each component and reflecting on your learning experience as well as the impact on the school or community.

 

When creating awareness, learners were told to bring an item, this could be any household item (excluding food) thereafter they would be allowed to wear clothes other than their uniforms. This project educated learners as they were told where their donations were going and why the people in need, needed assistance. Learners throughout gathered to donate for a better course as they all worked together to achieve a goal, to make the life of someone else easier. Parents too could donate items which they feel would benefit, money could also be given. In creating awareness as well, a flyer was provided to the learners to take home. This was placed around the junior section as a reminder to the learners.

 

 

2. How has service learning changed you personally?

 

I believe this has increased empathy and the purpose of this project is to help the less fortunate such as orphans and other individuals facing unfortunate circumstances. This experience not only increases empathy but creates a broader perspective on life. Once you reflect on how fortunate you are, you develop a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by others and how you can help them, and appreciate your privileges. Personal growth is improved as well and one develops a sense of purpose and fulfilment to help others.

 

3. How has service learning developed you professionally? What new knowledge, skills, and/or attitudes have you gained?

 

Leadership skills such as choosing an initiative, delegating, and making decisions.

Teamwork skills include effectively collaborating when deciding when and how the project will follow, and how the day will proceed.

Empathy and reflection as you hear about the hardships other people face, how they can be helped and how we can learn to appreciate what we have.

 

 

4. Describe the benefit of this initiative to the school and comment on its sustainability.

 

The school has been having issues with bullying, specifically in the bigger grades (grades 6 and 7) this initiative allows the learners to see their actions as unacceptable, as they hear about how other learners struggle they may develop a sense of empathy when learning about how they never know what someone is going through, how they may be making others feel. The school, not only deals with bullying, but deals with theft. The learners tended to be especially empathetic when they learnt about the younger orphans.

The teachers may use the same organisation to donate to, to allow them to benefit other kids. The little they donated makes a huge difference to kids who do not have anything or anyone. With this organisation, kids from the school can volunteer and work towards making a difference.