During my long and rewarding journey with CAS I definitely become more reflective as I started to think about all I was
doing and broader about my actions. For
service I decided to help in the local kindergarten, teach English and become volunteer
in the orphanage house. Activity was the most pleasant from me. I did attending
the gym, take part in school matches and sign up to local handball club. For
sure the most tough part was creativity as I am not that kind of art-making
person. Therefor I have decided to learn
German and later interested in Origami technique.
Most challenging for me was orphanage house. It had the biggest
impact on me. I felt what ‘reality’ means. I felt uncomfortable there firstly as
I did know how to act towards children. They are in a small degree different
than normal children as they experienced a lot. I become more open-minded and carrying
after visiting them. But with the time, in a way I become a member of these
children family. They treated me as a kind of sibling with whom they can always
talk about and I was always helpful. Despite that young age they know a lot
about the life and I tried somehow influence their outlook to be better. I
explain them that there are other ways of doing something and sometimes it is a
better way. I have learnt that family and especially parent are very important
in creating children character and perspective. This allowed me to reflect upon
issue of global importance as well as develop new skills.
The most enjoyable was handball playing in the
club. Sport is the best example of
collaborated work. Every club member is different however they form one
person-team. I learnt how each of the girl in the club play and even was able
to predict where to move to make a great action. It also was reverse that after
time club member knew how I play. Sport is about harmony and non-verbal
communication. As I was older than club members they somehow treated me as a
leader and I had to be aware to not become too bossy, because they were
creating the team and I was only temporary player. Thanks to that I also a bit
developed my leader skills.
Gym exercises let me know more about my
physical state and possibilities that I have or do not have. I am the most
proud of them as I see the progress in my exercises which is that my body
changed a lot. It will definitely bring benefits in my life, because staying in
a good form is important in healthy life. I noticed that I am more about doing
endurance exercises than weight training in which the technique is needed and
apparently I had to learn it, which will be a lot of fun as I love to work out.
In German learning, definitely the new skill I
acquired is knowledge about new language and how to speak in that language. It
was challenging to remember different words and grammar and do not mix it with
English or Polish languages. I used several methods for learning and tape my
room with small cards and words on them appeared to be the most effective one.
After all it wasn’t that hard and I know now that languages are really important
in the self-development process and I want to learn more.
English teaching was a service which I have done at my place,
so I had to plan everything in advance. My school lessons finish quite late, so
I had to consider additionally time for my school learning. I had to prepare
myself for every English lesson as well as materials and choose proper topic. I
have learnt that children are more likely to be effective if they are given
awards. I used that method after several lessons and saw improvements in
quality of lessons and amount
Most rewarding was working with children in the
kindergarten. They were really cute and hug me a lot. I received also a lot of
paintings after my services was about to end. However working with children
require special ethical code which I had to follow. I had to be aware of the
way I speak to them and about how much I can allow them to do. Sometimes I had
to be firm but still kind to somehow not hurt children, find the balance and after
time I learnt that. I had to control each of my action to be professional and
to not cross some teacher-child boundary. Whole experience let me reflect that
education is significant in child development and when I will have my own
children I will spend time for teaching at home.
Most difficult was origami making as it is a
type of work which demand patience and perseverance. Sometimes I had to use a
lot of paper sheets to do a particular origami. I had to be focus and motivated
and do not give up which I did not despite the fact that I replay some videos with certain folding
several times. It was the activity which I have done at home so sometimes I
commit a meeting with my friends in order to finish what I have started and I
did not regret it as I feel fulfilled when I saw that my origami looks like it
should be. I become more creative and like to do some paper art now. I made several
organizers boxes and flowers which decorate my room.
I am really glad that I could experience CAS. I
learnt a lot about my abilities. I know that for sure I could become a teacher
at kindergarten as I like collaboration with kids and showing them the beauty
of living. There is also a lot of things I have to work on. For sure I have to
work on my body appearance more and now I know I can handle this. After service
in the orphanage house I become more aware of the fact that there are more
people who needs our help and basically us. I set up a goal and after my final
exams I will undertake for sure another voluntary service and it will be
hospice or nursing home.
