Team work bears fruit

The second-semester students of the MSW department of the Oxford College of Arts
went for a rural camp in Karnala, Doddaballapur.

   The 10-day camp was quite an eye-opener for them. They actively participated in many activities such as cultural events, street plays, awareness drives and medical check-up camps.

   But what made the experience truly enriching was the taste of rural lifestyle that every student was exposed to.

Nitusha, a student, says that their team had done their homework well before going to the village.

   “We did a pilot study in the village by asking them questions based on health, sanitation and education after which we visited the village,” says Nitusha.

“We interacted with the village folk and the panchayat, stayed in a school and cooked for
ourselves. We also offered our services to the village,” she explains.

Initial apprehensions gave way to joy and celebration as the students completed
the camp successfully.

   The mornings were marked by free medical camps, fire safety and awareness by the fire and emergency services, awareness programmes on women’s health and
hygiene etc.

    In the evenings, the students presented cultural shows along with the members of the village. They realised the importance of team work and tolerance towards multi-culturalism through the rural camp.

Mhademo, a student from Nagaland, says that it was a unique experience for him.
“I am from a different state and visiting the village was a great experience for me, I was involved in several cultural activities which helped me know the villagers better,” he notes.
Students say though the villagers were hesitant to interact with them initially, they later extended a hand of friendship to them.

“When we arrived at the village, the villagers did not want to talk to us but slowly they started mixing and interacting with us. At the end of 10 days, we made some good friends,” says Swapna, a student.

   “It was enriching for me as I was staying in a village for the first time. It was a good way to experience the life of a villager,” she sums up.