I went to Devinamal along with other students for service in a rural village. We visited local villagers, talked with them and learned about their lifestyle. We also collected plastic around our campus and did agricultural activities. Additionally, we also had a night track for bird watching and learning bird noises.  We learnt how to be principled and the importance of caring for nature. Alongside this we also provided service and water coolers in an ashram and spent time with the students there. 

LO1:  Identify own strengths and develop areas of growth

During my stay in the village, I quickly realized how important it was to be adaptive. Because daily life in the village was so tightly linked with the cycles of nature, adaptability was required. Having grown up depending on agriculture and rising with the sun, I had to immediately adjust my routine and way of thinking to fit in with the environment’s natural ebbs and flows. This experience demonstrated that one of my strongest suits is my capacity to adapt to new situations and welcome change.

LO 2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.

Agricultural activities presented an additional set of difficulties. The farmers’ way of life was closely linked with the soil, and helping with chores like planting, harvesting, and caring for livestock needed abilities that I had not learned in my urban upbringing. The manual labor forced me to step outside of my comfort zone because it required physical effort and a hands-on approach. I improved my work ethic, acquired useful farming skills, and gained a greater understanding of the toil that keeps rural towns afloat.

LO4: Show commitment and Perseverance in CAS experiences

Participation in community-driven events demonstrated one facet of dedication. Waking up early every day and taking part in activities like Warli painting and activities like Mud Lipan required a lot of commitment as it was not something I grew accustomed to and at first was repulsed to. Later as I showed commitment towards it, I enjoyed the village activities and showed perseverance in them throughout the trip. 

LO 5 :Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively.

During this community experience, one of the main abilities displayed was good communication. Participating in different group activities with the villagers needed honest and transparent communication. The capacity to communicate thoughts, ideas, and intentions became essential for managing duties in agricultural work, taking part in community events, or just having conversations with neighbors. This event brought to light the value of developing a shared understanding, listening intently, and adjusting communication styles—a set of abilities necessary for productive teamwork.

LO 6: Engagement with issues of global significance

During this trip we had the opportunity to visit a local ashram and spend time with the kids there. We served them food and got to learn about their lifestyle and how they learn coming from an underprivileged social background. We also provided them with stationery and some toys to play with. We gifted them sustainable water coolers and water buckets so they could have access to clean drinking water at all times. By engaging with them we tried our best to make them aware of education as a basic human right. 

LO7: Recognise and consider the ethics of choices and actions

The interdependence of community members is one of the core elements that village living emphasizes. The well-being of people, families, and the community at large is directly and immediately impacted by decisions and actions made in a village. Because of this increased interconnectedness, people are more acutely aware of the ethical implications of their decisions. In this situation, questions of resource distribution, collective responsibility, and personal accountability become more salient.

LEARNER OUTCOMES:

Learning about villagers and their way of life through spending time in a village can lead to a variety of learning outcomes that support cultural awareness, personal development, and a more expansive outlook on life.

helped me grow in empathy by allowing me to personally experience the joys and difficulties that villages face on a daily basis. It also enabled us to comprehend the villagers’ traditions, practices, and values on a deeper level. Additionally, it helped me get expertise in interpersonal interactions, which are crucial in a close-knit society, and efficient communication.