Eleven fourth-semester Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) students from Saint Claret College Ziro (SCCZ) recently completed a transformative six-day residential rural camp in Thongre village, Rupa. Themed “Towards Community Resilience: Co-building through Strength-Based and Confluence,” the initiative was designed to integrate academic theories with hands-on social work practice in a real-world setting.
Guided by Assistant Professor Dr. Mousumi Saikia, the students undertook a rigorous schedule aimed at understanding village dynamics and fostering community engagement. The camp began with orientation and a “transect walk” to observe land use and infrastructure, supplemented by deep-dive discussions with village elders. These sessions allowed students to document oral histories and traditional livelihood practices, providing a historical context to the region’s changing social landscape.
A significant portion of the camp was dedicated to Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) exercises. Students worked alongside villagers to create social and resource maps, seasonal calendars, and Venn diagrams to visualize the community’s relationship with various institutions. To ensure data-driven insights, the team also conducted a comprehensive baseline survey across local households and met with six Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to discuss micro-savings and local economic challenges.
The outreach extended to the youth and students of Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Rupa. SCCZ students conducted workshops on health, hygiene, and handwashing techniques. Addressing a critical social issue, they also spearheaded a drug awareness campaign that included a street play and an awareness march from the school campus to the local taxi stand. This was followed by interactive sessions with members of the Thongre Village Council (TVC) and the All Rupa Area Youth Association (ARAYA) to discuss the impact of substance abuse on society.
The camp concluded with a community cleaning drive and a plantation program at the local Gonpa campus. During the valedictory session, attended by village leader Sonam Punchu and various women’s groups, the students presented their consolidated findings and recommendations for the village’s development. This immersive experience successfully bridged the gap between classroom instruction and the practical realities of community building.
