Service-Learning

Kayla Gillings and I worked on the service-learning initiative as a team. Our service-learning initiative comprised two parts. The first, an Eco-Garden and secondly, The Litter Leaders Society.

The Eco-Garden was put together with the use of cinder blocks, plants, seeds, soil and gravel. With the help of the aftercare learners and grade 3 and grade 7 volunteers, the Eco-Garden was formed after schools. It took three weeks to complete and the end result was stunning. The responsibility of the up keep of the garden falls to the grade R learners as the garden is located in their domain.

Learners were made to pick up litter as punishment. However, other learners showed great enthusiasm to help keep their school clean which thus resulted in the formation of The Litter Leader Society. Volunteers from the grade 3 and grade 7 classes were tasked with ensuring that the school stayed neat and clean. Learners were paired up and given a plastic bag and told to walk around the school picking up litter during break and after school. They also had the authority to tell other learners to pick up litter. At the end of the day the learners reported to their respective teacher (Kayla or me) to then dispose of the litter.

The Litter Leader Society worked perfectly as there were no challenges faced or reported. Learners showed great initiative while performing their duties. The Eco-Garden, on the other hand, presented challenges. The principal kept changing the location of the agreed upon original service-learning initiative (a library for the school), Kayla and I did not have time to find sponsors and thus had to spend our own money to ensure the success of the garden. This initiative was thus costly and very stressful.

Through the service-learning I was able to develop my skills in dealing with younger grades (grade R to grade 3). I became more patient and tolerant of hyperactive young learners. I learnt to interact with my learners outside the classroom which was still professional yet more fun and easy going. After this interaction I noticed a positive change in their behaviour when in the classroom. I thus realised that learners appreciated me showing interested in activities other than lessons.

The service-learning initiative showed me that school does not need to be all about academic results and discipline. Rather that learners need an outlet through which they channel their energy productively as well as learn responsibility in an environment that is relaxed and informal.