COMMUNITY LIVING CAMP REPORT
ORUMA
Learning to peacefully strive Together
COMMUNITY LIVING CAMPS
Men are born equal in the society, but what makes him different is the values and attitudes he posses. It is necessary for every individual to be a part of the society. Therefore it is an essential component to people to learn and poses values to maintain a cordial relationship with the people of the society and to uphold values of harmonious social living. In order to train the prospective teachers on the values of community living, the B.Ed curriculum has developed a concept of Community Living Camp with an objective of living together peacefully and work effectively to maintain a good relationship among the student, interact well in the society etc.
Community Living camps help the students in understanding the core of rural life, their problems and needs, and help them in preparing a plan for social work practice and community development”. The concept community brings together many elements of solidarity, trust, commitment, mutuality and fellowship. The community always grows on the sense of belongingness among the members. If teachers are able to perceive community in its true sense, the classrooms will transform to integrated social units and the student community will grow towards a peaceful world.
OBJECTIVES OF COMMUNITY LIVING CAMPS:
To make the student teachers understand the rural social system and importance of community living
To promote social accommodation and broaden the mental abilities of the student-teachers, i.e., to help them to develop capacities and attitudes suitable for group living.
To help the students develop their sense of care, compassion and social responsibility.
To assist the students in learning through the experience in group living so as to develop their social responsibility.
To acquire skills in planning, organizing, administration and implementing camp programmes with productive use of time, communication skills, working with team spirit, handling relationships and conflicts, seeking co-operation and coordination whenever required.
To develop critical thinking about various social and educational issues
To inquire in to the cultural, social, scientific, educational and environmental aspects of a community
To develop personal, social, moral and cultural values like benevolence, compassion, commitment, character, co – operative living, fellow feeling,
To promote dignity of labour.
To develop life skills.
FOCUS OF THE CAMP
Awareness Level: the concept of community living, the threats and challenges for community living, the varying nature and inclusion of community
Practical level: living together as a community, Identifying the needs of local community, assuming roles for responsible community living, participating in group initiatives, generating innovative ideas and action, acquiring skills of organizing a camp, managing a group and managing self.
Attitudinal level: Coping with differences, tolerance of ambiguity, patience in difficulties, adjusting with varying situations, acceptance of self and identity of others.
ഒരുമ 2017
LEARNING TO PEACEFULLY STRIVE TOGETHER
THEME OF THE CAMP
Our community is rich with varied traditions and culture. There is always a distinction in the way of living of each individual, as no two men are born equal. We live together with a motto of peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding. A healthy lifestyle is prerequisite for cooperative efforts. This depends on nature and its responses in the environment. Saving the life for sustainable life is significant and ultimately, we aim at achieving peace in and around us. Thus the theme is ORUMA, Learning to peacefully strive together.
PROGRAMMES, AN OVERVIEW
THE PREPORATORY SESSION
The planning session of the camp was conducted on 2nd May 2017. All the teachers and students gathered and had an unofficial discussion about the activities of the camp. In order for students to completely involve themselves in the activities of the camp, they were divided into six different groups. Each group selected their names and leaders as well. The theme, procedures and the upcoming activities were discussed in the session. The names of the group were as follows:
Souhrida
Mithri
Samashti
Dhwani
Aaramam
Sahayathrikar
I was a member of Samashti. A group discussion was initiated by the members and the teacher in charge exhorted the importance of attending the camp. The parents were intimated about the programme schedule so that the students could get the consent of parents to attend the camp. A six day programme was announced where the first part will be held at the college itself and the second at Kuttikanam. Students were given necessary guidelines regarding the codes and conducts.
ORUMA
DAY 1
(7-06-2017)
The day of expectation, the first day of the most awaited community living camp. We a bunch of 94 students were eagerly waiting for the day to come. As already announced the first session was scheduled to be held at the college itself. I am scribbling the events of the first day of community living camp.
The introductory session was inaugurated in the college auditorium by 1:30pm by the prominent orator as well as a dutiful IAS Officer, Dr. B. Ashok. Very Rev. C.O.Joseph Remban, the manager of Mount Tabor Dayara presided the session and has delivered the presidential address. College Principal Dr. Sunny Skaria made the introductory remarks. One among the shining stars of our college Ms. Neethu Sivan kindled the heart of everyone assembled through her mesmerizing sound.
After the inaugural session, Dr. B. Ashok gave us a beautiful class along with an interactive session. Dr. Sam V Daniel, the community living programme coordinator delivered his heartfelt thanks to all those who assembled.The meeting was dispersed and the students went to their groups and made plans for the programmes as discussed earlier.
ORUMA
DAY 2
(8-06- 2017)
Session 2
SOCIAL COMMITMENT OF TEACHERS
The Programme as announced started on time. The morning session was lead by Dr. Sunil, retired Professor and Social activist on the topic “The Social Commitment of Teachers”. She spoke about the Importance of upholding values as a teacher. A teacher should be a guide and a philosopher to the students while to the society, she should be a social worker and a source of inspiration. She should work hard to mould the personality of her students and she should strive hard to make transformation in the society. In order to bring about a change in society, she should be a role model to the students as well as the society.
In that occasion, Dn. Bidheesh Mathew of physical science welcomed the chief guest as well as the gathering. Principal, Dr. Sunny Skaria, presided the function. As a token of love, Dr. Sam V Daniel, CLP Coordinator presented a memento to the teacher.
The class was interactive and the chief guest elicited responses from the students.
Session 3
PREMARITAL COUNSELLING
The second session was handled by Dr. Rosamma Philip, Assistant Professor, Mount Tabor Training College. The class was a sort of premarital counseling which was beautified by the experiences of her life. It was a best class to those who were about to be married as well as to the married ones. The class focused on the codes and conducts, ways of behavior in the family as well as in the society. Students really enjoyed the class and the essence was captured well. The class kindled the minds of the gathering
ORUMA
DAY 3
(09-06-2017)
The third day of the community Living Programme comprised of various activities in the college by the students. The students were asked to prepare certain activities regarding the theme “ORUMA”. Hence each group prepared their own versions of how to make students inculcate the values of unity. Each group prepared skits and related activities. The group made sure that all the students participated in the programmes. Each group comprised of 16 students and in permitted time, they prepared well for the culturals. The standard of the programme hence proved that time is not a great factor for the talented youths. It was a great experience to be a part of that successful programme.
The first phase of the camp ends here. The second phase was announced to be held at 25, 26,27th of September at Kuttikanam.
ORUMA
DAY 4
(25-09-2017)
OFF TO KUTTIKANAM
The journey to the beautiful place started from the college by 6:00 am. Two busses were arranged considering the needs of the students. Both busses started from Anchal, one taking the Punalur- Pathanapuram route while the other taking Ayoor- Kottarakkara route, the busses met at Mylapra, Pathanamthitta. The journey was fun filled and students were active throughout. Teachers, non teaching staffs as well as the manager accompanied the students.
The bus reached Tejus, retreat centre, Kuttikanam by 10:30. Rooms were allotted to the crowd, after keeping the luggage apart; we went for breakfast which in turn was followed by the inaugural session of of the second phase. Various roles were allocated to the students who themselves were inaugurating the session. Each group was given opportunities to exhibit their talents.
With the helping hand of Dr. Rosamma Philip, the programme became a great success. Each and every student enjoyed the programme. They maintained the standard of an official inauguration, but what made the meeting different was its structure which was interlinked between facts and humour. Each one of the students has done justice to their roles.
After the inaugural session at Thejus, we went for lunch. Jesa George from physical science has given necessary guidelines on the next programme. Students were taken to Wagamon, but the heavy rain did not permit us to step down and we were forced to go back to the place where we were staying. Students were dispersed assuring that they will meet at the general hall at 7:00pm.
BRAINSTORMING SESSION
We reached the general hall by 7:00 pm. Under the guidance of Dr. Rosamma Philip certain interesting activities were initiated with an aim inculcating certain values. The session was fun filled and group oriented. Students were made to sit together in groups and certain group based tasks were allotted.
Task 1
FOLLOW THE RULES
A paper containing 10 questions was distributed to each group, the group leader was asked to fill the answers carefully after reading all the instructions. All the group members were made to participate in the activity. Instructions were given to students to complete the task in 3 minutes. The session tried to focus on the fact that following rules will help to achieve a particular goal. The last instruction given in the paper was not to fill any thing in the paper. Three groups won the task.
Task 2
MATCH THE FOLLOWING
Each group was given a paper containing 15 questions and corresponding answers in the other column. Students were asked to match the sentences with correct synonym. The task was to develop in students the idea of values a person should posses in his daily life. Group 6 succeeded the task by matching all the answers correct. They were appreciated by the crowd.
Task 3
DESCRIBING A PICTURE
The next task was related to accepting others. Learning to accept and appreciate others is a bit difficult task for people, who find themselves the best in the society. A picture of a boy was distributed to the groups. Everyone was asked to find the deformities in the picture and one among the members was made to read their opinion.
Task 4
APPRECIATING OTHERS
The teacher asked the students to write the names of students who comes to our mind when they here certain qualities. Teacher then explained the fact that, for a person to survive in the society a bit of appreciation from anybody is desirable.
ORUMA
DAY 5
26-09-2017
THE BEST OF DAYS
The morning walk with bunch of students and teachers made the day. After breakfast, by 8:00am, we set out for a field visit. We went straight to Parunthumpara. After spending some time there we started our destination to periyar tiger reserve. It was a great experience. We enjoyed the beauty of these places through a small walk to the important places. Parunthmpara appeared a miracle as it is structured like an eagle, the wonder of nature. It was a beautiful site decorated by dew.
After visiting the two places by 1:00pm we went for lunch at a vegetarian restaurant at kumili, We were accompanied by Dr Sunny Skaria, who joined with us for the trip. After the wonderful Sadya, we set out to cumbum- Theni, the land of grapeyards. It was the best of days. Thanking our teachers for selecting the spot.
DAY 6
27-09-2017
The last day at Kuttikanam, those enjoyable days are going to be over. All of us were really sad. As always after the breakfast we went to Wagamon as we were not able to see the spot the last day. We had memorable experiences that day. First we went to the pine forest which can be considered the man’s discovery. The forest was manmade and the pines were arranged in symmetry. Mist covered forest appeared most beautiful with our arrival. We people came to know and understand each other. We had numerous incidents that made us laugh and enjoy. Cameras, selfies, gossips etc made the silent place noisy.
The next destination was to wagamon hills which had nothing, but a group of hills inviting us. We walked around the hills and found a lake which had boating. We noticed rope ways which took people from one end of the lake to other. It was an on the whole an amazing site. Those brave hearts from our batch hence enjoyed the beauty of wings to fly. The hills were covered with grass which appeared like huge green hats the hills wearing. We spend their time till 12:30pm. As we had to return back to houses we were forced to bid farewell to the place with no intension of going. Infact the nature itself mourned on our departure as it drizzled rain and brought mist to the mountains.
By 1:00pm we reached Tejus, had lunch and set out to our college. With broken hearts we bid farewell to Kuttikanam. By 8:00 we reached the college.
REFLECTION
The Community Living Programme organized by the college aimed at promoting love and understanding among students. Those beautiful days brought smile to our hearts as well as our minds were filled with many great memories. We enjoyed a lot and it was fun filled. We shared and cared for each other and helped others. The first three days made us think a lot and the rest three days made us adjusting hearts. The theme itself was attractive, “Learning to Peacefully Strive Together”. We learned to stay together and share together.
It was the best of times. Teachers were very supportive and helpful. From the first day till the last brought us many experiences and memories. The inaugural session was attractive as it focused on students as well as their performance. Students were given due importance as the teachers believed in us. The field trips, brainstorming sessions were different and it catered the interest of students. We learned many things from the camp.
We would like to thank every teacher for guiding us all through the camp and for helping us to bring out the best in us. It was the best of days
THANKYOU ALL FOR THE BEST TIME SPENT TOGETHER
