CAS Final Reflection

 

My objectives this year were to, overall, make change. I wanted, by the end of the year, to know that I had helped bring the problems in our world one step closer to being solved. I hoped that I would be more worldly - increasingly aware of what is happening in our community today - and gain passion for new issues. This is because I have always been extremely into animal rights, with not much thought for humans. However, seeing disabled children at KCCL and the kids at Shangilia I am definitely more compassionate towards their cause (not losing any of my passion for animals). Regarding the activities specifically, I was eager to be more of a leader, and therefore become less shy and unsure of myself. I feel like I have achieved my objectives this year.

This year in CAS I was part of a number of groups: Save The Rhino, journalism, president's award, Shangilia, ARTSCO, Interact, and Swim team. I also did (these activities are not related to any of these groups) guitar lessons for a while, the family challenge, a sponsored swim, wildlife cleanup, and painted a mural with a friend. All of these activities were very rewarding, and I am happy that I had fun while making a difference.

I am very passionate about animal rights, and so Save The Rhino was the perfect service club for me. It is fairly new, so we didn't carry out many events this year (we had a few bake sale type events at lunch. This group has a really positive goal, and an extremely important one (rhinos are becoming closer and closer to extinction with each day that passes). I also admire the fact that this is a student led group - in some ways, it motivates and inspires us more in what we do. I learnt a lot about the power of people, the terrible situation these creatures are in, and just how necessary it is for our generation to become aware of what is going on. My objectives (like in every other group) were to make a difference - both to myself, and to the community. I was disappointed that I didn't do anything directly related to rhinos this year, which is understandable as the club is just getting to its feet, but next year there will be visits to game parks, etc. This activity meant a lot to me, as it is directly supporting animal rights (which I want to improve immensely (I want to go into wildlife conservation)).

Journalism was one of my creative aspects. We worked on making various newsletters in this group, and produced two during the course of the year. We could choose to write about anything that we wanted, and people were extremely dedicated and hardworking - putting a lot of effort into creating the articles and putting everything together. Stories included events like the intercultural trips, and the GISS conference. I feel that our newsletters were extremely well done, and that the students in the school enjoyed reading them. This club taught me a great deal about what it means to be part of a team, working together to make something wonderful. This group required a lot of commitment, as it was often difficult to be at the scene and take photos when needed. I feel that I put my 'best foot forward', taking various photos for the articles and attending every meeting. However, I could have been more successful in reaching my objectives as I never got the chance to write a piece for journalism - I will definitely change this next year though. The outcome for the team was increased responsibility, writing skills, organisation, and much more. I can apply these skills to my classes, and in outside activities.

President's award included aspects of service, creativity and action. I decided to do swim team (action), guitar lessons (skill/creativity), the biking trip (action), and Shangilia (service). This year I did swim team four times a week, guitar lessons every friday, the biking trip for my intercultural trip, and Shangilia every other week on Wednesday afternoons. Shangilia and guitar needed to be continued for six months, while I chose to do swim team for a year. I have not yet finished this award, for I have a little more time in swim team. This club was not as formal as some of the others for we all needed to be extremely independent and organised in what we did. It was our responsibility to keep up our work, and get our booklets signed, etc. My objectives for this group were to achieve the award as best I could, learning how to manage my time well and let determination drive me to succeed (this was especially necessary on the biking trip!). The outcome was good, I kept up my activities and I look forward to continuing the award once more when I start 11th grade. I think I was successful in meeting my objectives because of the fact that my friends were also doing the award with me (we motivated each other, and reminded each other of deadlines etc), and that I genuinely enjoyed these activities. I bonded with the kids at Shangilia, kept up my fitness levels in swim team, and have vastly improved in my guitar. This activity meant a lot to me, because of the change I caused and the steps I took and perseverance that I summoned in pursuit of my goal. I have developed greater determination, responsibility/independence, confidence in myself, and awareness. I can apply what I've learnt to almost everything that I do.

Playing clapping games at Shangilia

Shangilia occurred every other wednesday afternoon. In this club we visited a local school, and did art, reading, sport, etc with the children. There was also a performance day at ISK, which I attended (ushering and supporting them in their show). My objectives for this activity were to make friends with the children, see things from their point of view, and take on leadership roles. I feel that I was successful, as I talked and played with the children progressively more throughout the year, granted with a chorus of hello's every time I arrived. I was shocked at their ragged clothing and poor living conditions (though they were not as bad as others I have witnessed), but inspired by their hope and aspirations for the future. When I did activities with the kids I was a leader - giving them instructions on what to do and guiding them throughout. I feel like the team and I learned a great deal about how fortunate we all are, the importance of hope in life, and the situation in Kenya regarding children (which is far too easy to lose sight of when we go to ISK every day, and sleep under a roof each night). I didn't encounter any significant difficulties in this activity, though at first I was rather shy and unwilling to interact. This activity meant a lot to me, because of how much it opened my eyes to my privileged life. It motivated me to take further steps to improve the lives of children in this country, and I can apply what I have learned to all of my actions in and out of school.

In ARTSCO this year we had various bake sales, I visited KCCL to paint a mural for the disabled children, there was talent show organised, and there were various ushering opportunities for plays throughout. This club revolved around art, and so I therefore loved it! We met every thursday at lunch for a meeting, and the thing I enjoyed most was the KCCL trip that I attended (I will probably go on more before the end of the year). It was shocking seeing the mentally disabled children, and this (probably even more than Shangilia) made me appreciate what I had. I couldn't believe that these children had the strength to keep moving forward each day, and it moved me considerably. They were all so sweet, and I felt like I was doing something directly to help as I painted the world on their school wall. My objectives in ARTSCO were to be creative and make a difference, discover more about myself through service, and bond with other members involved. I think I was fairly successful in meeting these objectives - I bonded with the other students, but wish that there had been more opportunities for trips (KCCL was the only trip offered). There were no looming difficulties, and it meant a lot to me because I could express myself while still helping in some way or another. I have developed creativity, insight, and strength in myself. I will certainly join this club next year.

I draw with an OVC child at the Christmas Party

Interact club was my biggest service club, providing me with the most chances to make change. We met every monday at lunch, and at least three service trips were needed each semester (as well as one fundraising event). I went to Runda feeding, the OVC trip, and OVC parties which all had immense effects on my world-vie, and helped sell raffle tickets at the international day fair event. My objectives for this activity were to make change (obviously), be a leader, open up my eyes, and learn to be more dedicated to what I do. I feel that the whole team learnt what is really going on in Nairobi (and were motivated to do more by what they saw), and developed a sense of unity as a group. I encountered some difficulties with signing up in time (there are a great deal of people in this group, and spots in Runda feeding are limited), and selling raffle tickets (again, due to the amount of students everybody has already bought tickets, and do not want anymore!). I overcame these by summoning up greater determination and perseverance in myself. This activity meant a lot to me, as I felt like everything we did was extremely effective (the club is very official, and I know that all the money we raise and trips we go on really do have a direct impact on the lives of the less fortunate - after all, interact's message is 'touching lives, one child at a time'). I developed similar values as in other groups - understanding and awareness, diligence, and willpower. These traits will help me in everything that I do.

Me diving

My last group was swim team. This group was action, and I was proud for the amount of dedication that I put into it this year. Last year I slacked off a bit, as schoolwork piled up on top of me. However, this year I went at least 3 times each week (mostly four times, but there were often holidays, etc). In addition, I put a great deal of effort into each session and improved a lot. I was in a slow lane at the beginning, still getting my fitness levels back, and now I train at almost the highest level (with people that were role models to me at the beginning of the year). My objectives were to increase and maintain my fitness levels, and I definitely succeeded. I feel much more healthy and accomplished than last year, and I have made it my priority to keep up this sport for the rest of high school (and hopefully also in the future). The outcomes for the team and I were fitness and good health, and an overall feeling of unity and team-spirit. I know each member of the team well, and I love that we are connected by swimming. There were clearly difficulties throughout the year, as practices are hard and exhausting - but I managed to push myself forward. The coach wanted me to do competition this year, but I didn't feel mentally prepared. Next year I will try to get back into doing meets again. I have developed athleticism, persistence, and mental strength. These values will definitely serve me well in life.

I will provide brief summaries of my individual activities.

I have done guitar lessons this year with Mr. Job (who teaches band at ISK). I started this for president's award, but it became more for enjoyment than anything else. I learnt new chords and songs, etc. I improved a lot, and I am glad that I took this on. It helped me because I have never explored instruments too much, and find it difficult to make time between schoolwork to practice.
I took part in a wildlife cleanup in the nairobi national park. We drove around the area, collecting rubbish at the side of the road that might have been harmful to the animals. I enjoyed this, as I was instantly making a difference for the animals. I learnt about responsibility - the fact that one's time must be sacrificed for the greater good.
I did the family challenge in the first part of the year. This was very fun, and I had a great time with my family and friends participating in it. It was carried out to raise money for mentally disabled people in Nairobi, and it showed me the power that people have when they come together and focus on making change. There were so many dedicated people at this event, and it inspired me. I hope that more of us can summon up this kind of selflessness and kindness for others.
My friend and I did a sponsored swim for an institution called 'Dogstrust' together. This is a group that helps abandoned and abused dogs, finding them homes and caring for them. This is just the kind of thing that I would like to see more of in the world, for animals (in my eyes) are completely innocent, and the fact that humans would even think of hurting them is incomprehensible and horrific to me. I wish that the animals of our world could live in peace, and I was so driven that I suggested to my friend that we do this. We gathered up sponsorships and swam for an hour and a half to raise the money. We ended up making around 66,500 shillings! I loved doing this, it was both fun and rewarding. It taught me that I can make a difference - one person can cause change. This activity made me realise that my dreams of aiding the animals of our world can become true, if I can only be dedicated and committed enough to put myself forward.

My Mural

Finally, I painted a mural with my friend (the same one that I did the sponsored swim with). We came in on a weekend and did a splatter-paint picture, with the large word 'BREATHE' on it. I had fun doing this, as it was both creative and a service event. I learnt about expressing myself and being creative in life.

I learnt a lot about myself throughout the year, realising just how fortunate I am to be going to this school and living in such comfort and luxury. There is so much cruelty and suffering in our world, and I have to play my part to help this planet and all of the people and animals in it.
I developed many important values over the course of 10th grade CAS, which include awareness, determination and creativity. I feel that I am a better person - more responsible, confident, and sure of who I am.
I loved making a difference, and I can't wait to continue this journey next year!

(I will probably go on more trips before the end of the year, and they may not be included in this reflection)