Sunflower Project Update 5

On the 27th of October, we were planning to spend 1 hour in the swimming pool teaching the children how to swim, but due to the unfavorable conditions and thundering, we changed the plan and spent the time in the IT lab.

Since the thundering wasn’t all that severe, we were waiting by the pool for  a few minutes for the clouds to pass, but because the thundering continued, Avin and I changed the plan and decided to spend time in the IT lab. We showed our  initiative in leading this service project. 

In the IT lab, we got them to practice their typing skills with a software called Tux Typing. Since there were only 9 children today and we had 5 students, we each looked after 2 children. Since language was an issue for me, I collaborated with Ravin and Avin and they helped me to translate into Sinhalese. Although it was a challenge and a frustrating process due to language barrier, I showed my perseverance and commitment by trying to teach them about typing to the best of my ability without giving up. We didn’t simply let them play the games and activities, but we also thought them about the finger positions on the keyboard, which letter should be pressed by which letter and so on, so that they can learn the fundamentals to typing.

The plan for next week is to spend 1 hour in the swimming pool to teach them swimming.

Sunflower Project Update 4

On the 29th of September, we were planning to take the children to the yellow lab and introduce them to computer and typing basics, but because they arrived at school around 3:10 p.m, we were unable to take them to the computer lab, and thus spent time until 3:50 p.m in the swimming pool, teaching them the fundamentals of swimming.

Initially, the plan for the 6th of October was to spend 1 hour in the swimming pool, but since the children were unable to learn the computer basics and typing fundamentals last week, we changed the plan, and spent about 20 minutes in the yellow lab, and the rest in the swimming pool.

In the yellow lab, we got the children to log into an account, and we used a typing software called Tux Typing to teach them the fundamentals to typing. Things that we taught them through the software were:

• using the correct fingers to type each letter
• positions of each letter on the keyboard through simple typing games

Many of them were new to computer, and they seemed to enjoy it a lot.

After about 20 minutes, we went to the swimming pool and continued with the swimming. The main skills we focused were:

• kicking
• swimming across the pool

The children are now getting used to swimming, and I can clearly see that everybody has improved compared to the beginning. I’m hoping that this trend continues, and by the end, everybody can swim without our support.

In terms of the CAS criteria, I feel that most of the things are being covered from this service project. First of all, since we’re now bringing technology lessons too, it requires more planning, talking to Ms. Shameela regarding the booking of the labs etc, and I believe that Avin and I are always on top of that. Teaching them about computers are also a challenge that we haven’t experienced before. This is an area that we can improve on as we spend more time with them. Additionally, teaching them about technology is an issue of global importance, as the world is entering the age where almost everything is digitalized, and the acquiring the knowledge of computers is very essential for future. Although our members are only 5, we have a good collaboration and communication, thus enhancing the time management effectively. The attendance is excellent and everybody is attending every week. There is a perseverance and commitment within our members.

The next time we meet will be on the 27th, and we’ll be spending 1 hour in the pool. We’re hoping to teach them the free-style stroke, as we think that they now have the ability to swim, despite only short distances.

Football evaluation

Initially, the plan was to join the tournament starting at the end of September, but due to some troubles with the time matches start etc, we were unable to participate in the tournament. The football practices just ended this week.

Through nearly 2 months of football practices, I’ve managed to achieve the initial goals which I’ve set.

1. To increase my awareness of the strengths and weaknesses in football. In terms of the main strengths, they were passing, receiving the ball, precision and stamina. In terms of the main weaknesses, they were attacking, techniques and in the situation of 1 vs 1.

2. To develop skills in football. I feel that I’ve managed to really improve my skills. The strengths (which I’ve listed above) were things that developed with the practices, and that was clear to me as I realized that I was able to do more than what I initially could do. I feel that I’ve developed every skills in football from passing to shooting. Even though there are still weaknesses, they’ve also improved over the course of the practices.

3. To work collaboratively with the rest of the team members. I strongly feel that I’ve collaborated well with the members at all time. I’ve listened to the directions that Karl, Bharat and others gave, helping others with specific training like long passes and working together as a team.

4. To show perseverance and commitment in this tournament by attending each practice. I wasn’t able to attend every single practice, and I couldn’t go for 2 practices, mainly due to the stressful Extended Essay. However, I believe that despite the EE deadline and all the other assignments which came up, I consistently attended most practices, and certainly showed my perseverance and commitment (I definitely attended more practices than the majority).

5. To build friendship with new students through football. In terms of this goal, it was very successful, and through practices, I made good friends, such as Dylan, John, Abrai, etc. Making a friendship through activities is an important aspect in life, and through football, I was able to build friendship with the team members.

Apart from achieving these goals, I’ve also challenged myself by trying new things. For example, we often had a penalty shoot-out at the end of each practice, and since our goalie Savinda wasn’t present at times, I chose to be a goalie. It was definitely a challenge for me since I’m not used to being a goalie, but at the same time it was a valuable experience as to increase an awareness of the area for growth.

Overall, this nearly 2 months of football practices has been very successful and I’ve gotten many positive aspects out of  it. Although we weren’t able to take part in the tournament, I managed to develop my football skills, make new friends, challenging new things, and I’ve certainly enjoyed it while gaining new experiences.