Continuing to connect: Grade 10 at the Vatsalya Foundation

While CAS is a part of the IBDP core, at B.D. Somani, CAS kicks off in Grade 5 itself with a completely voluntary program at Step 1 Balwadi where students volunteer once a week, accompanied by teacher volunteers. Students in Grades 6 and 7 engage in community service once a month which increases to once a week for students in Grades 8, 9 and 10.
Since 2010, our students have been volunteering at Vatsalya Foundation and this year was no exception. As with other activities during lockdown our volunteering with Vatsalya also took a digital form this year. However, the impact was no less for this as these reflections from our students and feedback from Vatsalya prove.

I adore the CAS activities. The school's initiative to help the underprivileged children even during this time is so thoughtful. The vatsalya children were very kind and excited to do all the activities we had planned for them. They were overwhelmed by the drawing we had shown them, especially mine. I am waiting for the next time we get to do this.

Our school’s community service activities have always been something I look forward to. I wasn’t sure if the activities were going to be as fun as they used to be, however I was wrong. The children at the Vatsalya foundation were full of energy and always had a smile on their faces which in turn brought a smile to my face. Looking at the amount of fun they were having while drawing the picture, made me enjoy the activity even more. I’m so glad that we got this opportunity. I can't wait to do it again!

Our interaction with the Vatsalya children was very enriching and helped me develop my communication skills as we learnt to interact effectively. I think it was great that we were able to do this even in this difficult situation of COVID-19. It was a lot of fun working with them and I’m looking forward to doing it again.

Since I started community service in grade 5, my experience has just been superb. I loved interacting with the Vatsalya students, and I also seem to connect with them because I have a soft spot for kids who unfortunately don't have privileges like we do. The kids are just so bright, happy and lively that this is an opportunity I'd never want to miss. Virtually,I thought it wouldn't be as good, but it was just so refreshing to see such happy faces after long. I can't wait to do this again, and I absolutely love our interaction with the Vatsalya children!

Our connection with the Vatsalya children was extremely enjoyable and lively. Online community service isn’t the same as interacting with students personally but I’m happy we got the chance to teach them new things as they have a lot of potential and they were really engaging throughout the activities. After the first 15 minutes I could actually feel a bond between the Vatsalya children and us, we just happened to be really surprised by how positive and giggly they were during such a difficult period which resulted in all of us having an amazing time. Can’t wait to see their smiling faces again!

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