IGCSE Global Perspectives Team Project
HK005 SOUTH ISLAND SCHOOL
Jadealyn Bryce JANCOSKO-KING 4302
GP03: Reflective Paper
Team: Kitty Alexandra REDDING, Megan Yiu Chi CHAN,
Yan Yan Vivian CHEUNG
Personal reflection
Word Count: 993
PART A
1. To what extent did our outcome achieve the aims we
set for ourselves?
We wanted to make a difference in refugee’s lives. We planned on doing this by helping to
immerse them into Hong Kongs liveliness and culture through sport. My groupmates and I
met with refugee children every friday to assist a sports coach in helping kids (ages 3 to 14)
play games. This was a good way to contribute to our aim. Throughout the course, the
children became more excited to see us every week. By getting them into a schedule we
helped them get used to their new home, we were able to help give them something to look
forward to each week which allowed them to become much happier children.
We achieved our aim by running a toiletry drive. Refugees don’t have enough money for
necessities like soaps, shampoos, conditioners, pads/tampons, etc. The
government gives some of these, but not enough to last a month. On top of
that, the soaps and shampoos given are not made for their skin types and
often lead to dry skin/itching. I met with our schools MaD (make a
difference) counsel
to discuss dates for a donation period to collect toiletries. We set up collection from the 19th
to the 23rd of November. My groupmates went to year 7 classrooms every wednesday to
show our video on the NGO R.U.N. and were able to raise awareness for the charity.
2. In what areas did our outcome fall short of achieving
our aims
We were unable to volunteer for more than 5
sessions as they just happened to be running the
sports program on Fridays. Volunteers work on
tuesdays but as we had school we were unable to
attend. One member in our group failed to make it to
any volunteering sessions which made it difficult to
look after the children. We also did not receive as
many donations as hoped for.
3. How might our outcome have been improved to
better achieve our aims?
I think we would’ve allowed more time for donations because it would have allowed us to
collect in more items. I think we should’ve looked further into more volunteering as they
sometimes hold races on the weekends, unfortunately we were
unaware of this until it was too late to volunteer for any of them.
PART B
What was my contribution to the project, e.g.
1.
research-approach taken, methodology, findings?
I was the one in contact with Virginie (head of R.U.N.), I organized the initial meeting with
her. I attended all assigned volunteering sessions, did a lot of research for our video using
R.U.N.’s website to gather facts and statistics about refugees and their lives("RUN –
REBUILD UNITE NURTURE –
Rehabilitating Refugees through Running
and Beyond."). and made the video with
said compiled facts and statistics, here
is a link to said
video:[Link]
[Link] strengths did I
bring to the project,
e.g. planning, time
management,
organization, as a
team/player?
I brought to the group is that I was motivated to do the project. I think that excitement
rubbed off on the group and helped us to get the project done and work together, which in
turn gave us a positive outlook on the project, rather than it being something we had to do
for school. I think I was quite good at helping with the organizational standpoint because I
organized the meetings with Virginie and MaD counsel to allow us to make our project
possible.
What are my weaknesses and anything could I
3.
have done differently/better?
I was too ambitious and in the long run not able to get everything done. Fortunately it turned
out okay but we were unable to do things we’d originally planned (e.g. running the toiletry
drive for two weeks). If I were able to do this project again, I would’ve planned things out
better. I will further try to get things done with success rather than attempting to balance too
many tasks
PART C
[Link] are the benefits of working as a team?
We were able to balance roles and make sure that, while we all had roles, we also had
breaks and were not too overwhelmed. We were able to make sure things were getting done
and help people when they needed it. We not only provided extra help but also supported
one another and created a foundation to do this project.
2. What are the drawbacks of working as a team?
A drawback was trying to work around everyone’s schedule. We were a group of 4 and were
seldom unable to commit at the same time, leading only two of us go to meetings. We would
at times have disagreements, for example, we were unsure as to whether to focus on
clothing or toiletries for our drive which led to some tension in the group. In the end we were
able to figure out how to work things out among ourselves.
[Link] could we have done better as a team?
2 of my group members were serious about volunteering. It was Kitty’s idea to show our
video to year 7s. Vivian attended assigned volunteering sessions and came to every
meeting. The 4th member of our group did not come to any volunteering sessions nor did
she do her task. Therefore forcing my group to put in extra hours. We could’ve been more
forceful in making sure everyone was doing their work
PART D
[Link] did I learn about different cultural
perspectives and how has this impacted my own
perspective?
We learned the women enjoy the city, it’s busy but in a good way. Their cultures are very
different (e.g. when we asked them what they needed some of them said long sleeved
clothes and skirts down to the knees because that’s what they wore back home.) but they
didn’t want to discuss their countries. The effect this had on my perspective was: it made me
realize that if these can be happy and eager after all the things they’ve been through than I
can be happy too.
Your overall personal learning from this team
2.
project?
I learned a lot about refugee’s, mostly by meeting them. One thing I learned was that my
priorities are very different to theirs. The mothers asked for things like warm blankets, shoes,
school clothes, stationary, towels, soap, etc. to be donated. It was things I take for granted. I
learnt about being grateful for what I have because these people had these things easily
accessible then had it taken away when they had to flee their countries. I learnt about having
a good attitude. The women were cheerful and would greet us with smiles and kind words
when they saw us. to have a good attitude after everything they went through opened my
eyes to many possibilites