MY SOCIAL ACTION PROJECT

Firstly let me start off with this very warming quote: “I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver”- Maya Angelou

This sums up my true reflection on my experiences with service learning.

Let's look at some factors that would explain why I feel this way.

Effectiveness

- This was an extremely effective project. Initially, I was a bit worried that there were very little donations being handed in, but one day, they just about flooded the classroom and this brought such an overwhelming feeling upon me because at that moment, I could just picture the reactions we were going to get from the ground staff.

Now, prior to this project, I was told that the ground staff were battling so much, they would even ask the school to buy them bread to feed their families. How heartbreaking? I knew straight away that I wanted to make a difference, even if it meant that it would help them get by for the next couple of months.

I chose to base my project around the ground staff as we often always turn to charity organisations to be part of, but why not start at "home" and take care of those who take care of us.

By including the outside community being the parents really allowed for me to gather as many goods as I possibly could to make a success out of this project. But most importantly, by including my class, my special boys, I knew from the get go, when they chose to help me instead of playing games, I knew in my heart I could count on them to make this a huge success and special for the ground staff. These boys have been incredible, always wanting to lend a helping hand. I was never alone, as there was always one boy that would ask "Ms M, can I please help you".

Successes and Challenges

Overall, this project was a huge success. The only challenge I faced was the worry of not having enough donations to share amongst the staff, however, it worked out just as I had pictured. There was just enough to make full packages for the staff that would last them the next couple of months. These packages included food and toiletry items and packages of baby clothes and care items for those that had just welcomed a new baby into their family.

I am extremely happy in how this project turned out.

The effects of service learning on me personally

Personally, I have always enjoyed giving back to community and helping those in need. This project, specially, has made me realise that there are people around us, that we see on a daily basis, that really need help and we don't realise it. It has changed me in a sense that I am more aware of those people and more aware of the fact that there are many people out there that need our help and support. I will try to help out as much as I possibly could.

The effects of service learning on me professionally

Professionally, I realised that as a teacher I can have a lot of influence in starting these types of projects. The skills that I have gained is communication and organisational skills as well as problem solving, planning and management skills. I have become more aware of the needs of others and want to try help more often.

The benefit of this initiative to the school

This benefits the school in such a way as such a simple gesture has made a massive difference for those that help the school. This will help motivate them to keep going, to keep working hard. This also gives them a sense of belonging and make them aware that there are people that really care about them and that are willing to help out where they possibly could. This also makes the members of the school more appreciative of what they have. This has helped the boys be more willing to help those in need.