Unitree bring together children with down-syndrome and teen volunteers to forge a bond that lasts a lifetime.This is an initiative wherein certain events are arranged in-order to interact with the down-syndrome children.I as volunteer of Unitree I have attended 2 events one is Diwali theme event where we all are supposed to be dressed up in Indian attire and done those celebrations which is normally done on Diwali day.I was the in charge of making them learn how to paint diya and I enjoyed making them learn as well I gained insights on different ways and style of painting diya also learnt communicating with them in different languages at the same time. Garba fest was an opportunity to conserve the Gujarati dance Garba and as volunteer I taught them how to do Garba and ensured about them enjoying and making them comfortable.Volunteering at Unitree is contributing to one of the Sustainable development goal number 10 of reduce inequality.The children with down-syndrome face inequality where they are restricted to learn so the events organized are an opportunity from them to do things they are restricted.
Learning outcome 2 :
- What was so challenging?Why was it challenging? Have you done anything similar before?
The experience was new to me.I have never interacted with kids having down syndrome.
Initially it was difficult to make them comfortable.The communication gap was a challenge
because this was a first time I had been experiencing it so understanding what they are trying
to convey was challenging. - How did you overcome this challenge? If you didn’t overcome it, why not and what will you do differently next time?
Its difficult to say that the challenge is successfully overcomed because in 2 meetings with such
long gap time period its hard to get genial with any new volunteer for them.The next time I’ll meet
I would start by asking my name also I will bring chocolates for them to make it more easy for them
to be comfortable.The last time I met them it was difficult to spend quality time since I was part of
managing team so I had to manage to bring up food and hence the “quality time was not spent “only
limited time was spent. - How do you feel about having undertaken this challenge? Why is it important for you to undertake new challenges?Did you discover any skills you hadn’t known or learned yet? How could this skill be useful to you in the future?
Undertaking new challenges will help develop myself.I will learn new skills such as in this case
I learnt communication skills,management techniques.After accomplishing the feeling of being
proud that I have developed skill and experienced something new.I also feel I am capable of
doing things.Challenges are an opportunity for an individual to try things out and learn hence
its very important to undertake challenges. Additionally the skills i learnt and discovered are very
helpful for me in the future as once I go out for further studies I need to manage things on my own
developing skills will always help me as person to grow as well in life.The more skill more easy in the future. - How does having this new skill make you feel about yourself? Why is it important to learn new skills?
Learning new skills is definitely fun it.Since it increases your area of interest choices due to the
new learnt skills. Skills helps an individual to feel less helpless in situations as you have skills
that can help you with it.Learning new skill makes you equipped and it feels special some times
that yes I know the skills required and the technique to perform
Learning outcome 4 :
- What made this activity difficult where perseverance or commitment was necessary? How did that make you feel?
Taking out time for the activity was difficult. Commitment was necessary.Due to the commitment the
experience is accomplished.Additionally the feeling of kids not liking me was a barrier but the dedication
helped me to complete this experience.Completion after barrier makes me feel that there is something that’s
achieved. - What commitment was required to complete this activity?Is it easy for you to commit to things? To be persistent? Why or why not? Why is showing perseverance and commitment important?
Commitment of being part of Unitree and volunteering it. Committing to things is easy but when it comes to
application it’s difficult for showing commitment.For commitment it requires time and dedication which was
difficult to show but somehow I manage to do the same.Moreover, showing commitment and perseverance
is the key to successful experience/task.The commitment and perseverance are features leading to
completion of an task.
Learning outcome 5 :
- Is working with others generally easy or difficult for you? Why?
Working with others is easy for me since I have friendly nature so hence blending up with other mates is easy
so the group tasks are easy for me to manage and work with them - So, based on your answer to the above question, during this particular activity, was it easy or difficult for you to work with others?
It was easy as all organizers including me were friends so it was easy to work with them where in win-win
situation took place - Did you have to work with anyone difficult? How did you handle it?
As such no difficulty just to make the kids friends was difficult but through numerous number of meets
I am sure the bond will be formed - Why is it important to be able to work collaboratively with others?What was the importance of teamwork or leadership in your activity?
There were multiple task such as decorating,getting foods, managing the kids,collecting money all of
it can not be done by one man hence a team of people will make the work easier and faster
Learning outcome 6 :
- What were the issues? Why are they important globally? How? Where? How did you know?
The kids with down syndrome are discriminated and to increase their social life so we trying to
cheer them up by celebrating festival making them learn things.Such kids are world wide so the
Unitree may gradually expand and help those kids..
- How does knowing about global issues contribute to your personal growth?
- How does it make you feel now that you are aware of this global issue? How does your work in this CAS activity make you feel about that global issue?
I feel I have done something that appreciable and that CAS activity can help in bring change in the society.
I dont feel something for them but when they are discriminated i feel pitty for the ones doing discrimination
because of their mental health .This globally issue should be eradicated the discrimination.
This experience has developed the learner profile of communicator, reflective.This activity benefits others as it help the down-syndrome to celebrate and be happy and feel wanted and it benefits the owner of the pace where events are conducted.The events that took pace had the highlight or the key moment where a kid was crying because his hand came in the door and he cried so when I went there the kid hugged me that was too special.The experience will
initiate others to join also it will help the down syndrome kids to make friends. The activity made me learnt that taking out time for the ones with special needs is always good idea for making your day special.One thing I would change while doing this activity is to not leave early from the place so that I could spend more time with those kids.The activity is achieved but to forge a bond it is left but otherwise the aim of the events were full filled.The sense of accomplishment was there after completion of events.More over managing events is always fun for me so with the activity there was enjoyment as well. In my free time I will go to the old age home or the places where kids with special needs reside and I will try to spend time with them and help them be educated.
Evidences :
