T
he Post Graduate Department of Social Work organized 6 days Educational Rural Camp for I MSW students at Nadumogaru, Sarapadi Grama Panchayat, Bantwal Tq from 02-01-2013 to 07-01-2013.
Rural Camp is an opportunity for the Social Work students to have a better experience of community life & improve their professional skills by organizing need based programs & awareness campaigns with the support of local people. It also provides ample opportunity for students to learn the importance of adjustment & coordination.
The Camp took its structure with the help of local leaders & various organizations through series of discussions and interactions with key persons and community people as well.
The inaugural function was held on 2nd January, 2013, 4.00 P.M at Govt. Primary School, Nadumogaru. Shri Ramanatha Rai, MLA, Bantwal inaugurated the Camp by lighting the lamp & conveyed his best wishes for the success of the camp. Prof.Leo Norohna, Principal of St.Philomena College, presided over the function. Rev. Fr. Gregory Periera, Parish Priest, St. Antony’s Church, Allipade put into words of his good wishes.
The valedictory function was on 7th January at 5 P.M. Shri K.N. Shivaram Shetty, President, Old Students’ Association presided over. Rev. Fr. Gerald D’Souza, Correspondent of St.Philomena College colored the evening by his gracious presence. The guests of the valedictory session applauded and wished the students as well as all the organizers for this successful venture. Local people and our students shared their experience of camp with the audience.
This camp enlightened the local people on various subjects such as Organic Farming, Animal Husbandry, Society and environment, Women’s Rights, Consumer Rights, RTI, Personal Hygiene, Health and Education, etc. Apart from these programmes on moral values, life skills, adolescence as well as its challenges and confidence building activities to the students of different schools were conducted. During the camp days street plays were conducted at different localities of Sarapadi Panchayath, Blood donation and Medical camps were also been organized successfully.
On 3rd January under the guidance of Mr.Mounesh Vishwakarma, a well known theatre Artist & Journalist, a one day session was held for the children of surrounding schools on ‘Capacity Building’ at Nadumogaru School. At the same time Mrs. Manjula, Coordinator, District Support TSC Project,Mangalore delivered an awareness talk on ‘Society & Environment’ at Nelyapalke Janatha Colony for the general public & another programme on ‘Animal Husbandry ‘by Mr. D.S. Hegde, Senior DGM, KMF, Mangalore at Allipade. In the afternoon, the session on ‘Animal Husbandry’ was held at Kuttikala too.
Next day, an awareness talk on “Women’s Rights, Consumer Rights & RTI” was conducted at Nadumogaru School. The resource person of this session was Mr. Nada Maninalkoor, an activist, Samvada NGO, Bangalore. At the same time, another session on “Personal Hygiene, Health & Education” by Mrs. Anila Kumari & Ms. Supreetha, Lecturers, MSW Department, St.Philomena College, Puttur was held At Janatha Colony, Sarapadi.
On following day, ‘A Voluntary Blood Grouping and Blood Donation Camp’ was held in collaboration with Red cross Society of Mangalore, and Rotary – Campco Blood Bank Puttur, along with Local Organizations at Higher primary school, Nadumaogaru. It was on 5-01-2013 and altogether 33 units of blood donated by the local youth.
At the same time, two informatory sessions were organized at Government P.U. College, Maninalkoor on “Problems during Adolescence” & “Career Guidance” by Ms. Supreetha, Lecturer, P.G. Dept.of Social Work, St. Philomena College & Dr. Rajesh Bejjangala, Lecturer, Indus College Puttur, respectively.
Another component of this camp was ‘Free General Health Checkup and Treatment Camp’ in collaboration with KMC Hospital, Attavar Mangalore along with Local Organizations at Higher primary school, Nadumagaru. This successful event was held on 6-01-2013 and local people were the beneficiaries of this venture. 180 people turned up to utilize this rare opportunity.
On 3rd, 4th and 5th of January 2013, 3 street plays were performed by MSW students which reached the onlookers effectively. “Kallavana Kanasu” – a Street play on creating awareness on children’s Disability and facilities available to such children from Education department was enacted at Mulkajamada. “Hosa Baduku” – a street play on ‘Alcoholism and its Consequences’ was played at Mavinakatte and Kakkepadavu, Sarapadi Grama Panchayat. The same shows were staged during cultural evenings.
Every morning the day of the campers began at 5.30 AM, followed by prayer, exercise & shramadan & ended around 11.00 PM with an evaluation hour.
The cooperation & support of local authorities & people were remarkable & heartening. The students had good opportunity to observe, learn & showcase their abilities as a professional social worker with sensitivity towards community needs.