St. Joseph University Social Work students conducted a week-long rural camp at Shoipu village, Zunheboto, promoting community engagement, rural development and experiential learning.
DIMAPUR — As part of their academic curriculum, third-semester Master of Arts in Rural Development students from the Department of Social Work, St. Joseph University, Nagaland, organised a week-long rural camp at Shoipu village in Zunheboto district from July 25 to August 1 on the theme, "Learning through Service."
According to an update from the university, ten students participated in the camp under the supervision of Dr. Janet Gonmei, Assistant Professor, and Kezhakhoto Chalieu, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work.
The camp aimed to provide students with first-hand exposure to rural life while equipping them with practical skills in community engagement, participatory planning and collaborative problem-solving.
It also sought to bridge classroom learning with field practice by enabling students to apply theoretical concepts to real-life rural development challenges.
With the support of village leaders and residents, the students carried out a range of community-based activities throughout the week. These included Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) exercises such as transect walks, resource mapping and social mapping, a socio-economic household survey, a digital literacy programme for village youth, recreational activities for children, an awareness programme on self-help groups (SHGs) and rural livelihood promotion, craft-making sessions for youths, a visit to jhum cultivation fields, a street play on alcoholism prevention, a tree plantation and sanitation drive, and a cultural exchange programme to promote mutual understanding between the students and the local community.
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The update stated that the initiatives received active participation and support from the villagers, providing a valuable platform for knowledge sharing and community interaction.
It added that the rural camp served as an enriching experiential learning opportunity for the students while reaffirming the Department of Social Work's commitment to community engagement and sustainable rural development.