I volunteered at Asaadharan Foundation, an NGO that works towards improving foundational education in government schools across Gujarat. During my involvement from June 2024 to August 2025, I contributed to several initiatives such as co-leading a reading campaign, mentoring students who required additional academic support, and assisting in the organisation of the foundation’s Annual Day event. This experience allowed me to actively engage in service by contributing to educational development and supporting young learners in building confidence and academic skills.

This experience aligns with the CAS strand of Service, as it involved meaningful engagement with a community and contributing towards improving access to quality education. It also connects to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education, as the activities were aimed at strengthening foundational learning, encouraging reading habits, and supporting students who required additional guidance. Through this experience, I realized that education plays a crucial role in shaping opportunities for children, and even small contributions such as mentoring or encouraging reading can positively influence a student’s confidence and engagement with learning.

LO3: Initiate and plan a CAS experience.

One of my main roles during my volunteering experience was co-leading a reading campaign alongside other volunteers, which required planning and organisation (LO3). The aim of this campaign was to encourage students to develop an interest in reading and improve their comprehension skills. As part of the initiative, I helped plan reading sessions and interactive activities that would make learning engaging for the students.

While working on the campaign, I had to consider how to structure activities that were both educational and enjoyable. We incorporated storytelling, reading aloud, and discussions that allowed students to actively participate rather than simply listen. Planning these sessions helped me understand the importance of organisation and preparation when working with younger students. This experience also helped me develop leadership skills, as I had to take responsibility in ensuring that activities ran smoothly and that students remained engaged throughout the sessions.

LO2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.

Mentoring a small group of students who required additional attention was one of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of my volunteering experience (LO2). Some students struggled to stay focused during sessions or lacked confidence when participating in reading activities. Initially, I found it difficult to keep them consistently engaged.

To address this, I had to adapt my approach by simplifying explanations, incorporating interactive elements, and encouraging students to express themselves without fear of making mistakes. This process helped me develop patience, communication skills, and adaptability. Over time, I noticed that the students became more comfortable participating in discussions and reading activities, which made the experience particularly fulfilling.

LO5: Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively.

Volunteering at Asaadharan Foundation also required working closely with other volunteers, especially during the reading campaign and the organisation of the Annual Day event (LO5). We collaborated to divide responsibilities, share ideas for activities, and ensure that the sessions were well organised.

Through this experience, I realised that collaboration plays a crucial role in making community initiatives successful. Each volunteer brought different perspectives and strengths, and by working together we were able to create more engaging and effective activities for the students. This experience strengthened my ability to communicate ideas, coordinate with others, and work effectively within a team.

LO6: Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance.

Through my involvement with Asaadharan Foundation, I became more aware of the broader issue of educational inequality, which is a challenge faced by many communities around the world (LO6). Access to quality foundational education is essential for long-term development, yet many students in government schools lack sufficient resources or individual academic support.

By contributing to initiatives such as the reading campaign and mentoring students, I was able to engage with this issue at a local level. This experience helped me understand how grassroots organisations play an important role in addressing educational gaps and empowering young learners. It reinforced my belief that supporting education can have a long-term positive impact on individuals and communities.