This trip to Kilad Eco-tourism Campsite was an enlightening and breakthrough experience that presented us an insightful grasp of rural life and its challenges. Immersing ourselves in the simplicity of the village, interacting with the local community, and deviating ourselves from our urban life, was a very difficult and inspiring task for us. It allowed us to develop knowledge about human survival in harsh living conditions as well as develop social responsibilities.
Activities that I participated were –
- Creativity : Warli Art, Cow Dung Lipan, Bamboo Craft, Local Music and Dance Performances
- Activity : Trekking, Rappelling, Farm Work, Adventure Sports, Turmeric Farming
- Service : Cleanup Drive, Wall Painting, Teaching School Students (and Playing with them), Cooking Local Meals
Learning Outcome 1 : Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth
Having good knowledge about Frisbee, we planned to teach the students of a private school in the village on how to play Frisbee, what are the basics and taught them how to play collaboratively like a team. This was something that was very different for me as I have never taught so many students Frisbee at the same time. This challenged our physical and mental resilience, and our time management skills for balancing the time stamp for various activities other than just a game.
Learning Outcome 2 : Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken
The whole trip was filled with challenges, which tested our physically and mentally demanding. Additionally, we had to constantly converse with the local villagers in their native language, which was also challenging. However, we succeeded in overcoming the challenges with valuable skills such as patience, teamwork, and perseverance.
Learning Outcome 4 : Show perseverance and commitment in CAS experience
Commitment was very evident in the entire trip, especially for the activities which required physical and mental ability. Activities like Trekking, Rappelling, Farming, Painting, Cooking Local Meals, Adventure activities, etc demanded Time and Commitment, which I was able to commit. All these activities made me exhausted but I was able to finish them.
Learning Outcome 5 : Demonstrate skills and benefits of working collaboratively
Teamwork played a crucial role in making our trip impactful. Whether it was planning educational sessions for school children, executing service projects, or managing daily responsibilities within our group, collaboration was essential. Working with peers and local villagers helped us develop better communication, coordination, and problem-solving skills. We learned to appreciate different perspectives and support one another, reinforcing the idea that collective effort leads to more meaningful and effective contributions.
Learning Outcome 6 : Engagement with issues of Global Significance
A deep immersion into rural life meant that we could actively engage in an array of issues that occur at a local level but have considerable global significance. One such example would be of our visit to CIBART(Center for Indian Bamboo Resources and Technology) where we learned about the process of furnishing bamboos that arrive at the facility from across the country and the Indian sub-continent. It was an invigorating experience learning about how bamboo can be a strong and sustainable alternative to traditional construction materials and the potential it has for mass use. Additionally, our visit to the Krishi Vigyan Kendra allowed students to acquire valuable insight into the correlation between climate change and crop cultivation. The day-to-day interaction with local businessmen and artisans also served as a lens through which we could view the daily hardships and economic hardships they are forced to endure. Having an organic perspective on rural life in Kilad made me realize that my role as a global citizen warrants me to remain vigilant about global trends and empathetic towards individuals who suffer under unfortunate circumstances.
Learning Outcome 7 : Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions
Even the most negligible of choices can have a profound impact on others. Surrounded by a unique cultural fabric presented meant that we had to interact with locals in a respectful manner even when their practices might seem unusual or perplexing. Our approach towards the trip was ultimately a by-product of the ethical choices we make when it comes to being an open-minded individual. Even visits to CIBART and the regional agricultural college conjured a need to evaluate the long-lasting positive effects choosing sustainable alternatives and conducting ethical farming practices can have on reducing our ecological footprint. Being aware about the consequences of our seemingly inconsequential decisions has taught me the benefits of adopting a conscientious mindset where every choice, decision, approach is carefully calculated and intentional.
Conclusion
The rural immersion trip to Kilad was a multifaceted experience that challenged me in multiple ways. It taught me perseverance, teamwork and responsibility while also allowing me to contribute meaningfully to the community. Whether it was overcoming my fear while rappelling, creating meaningful artwork for a school, or taking action to protect the environment, each activity played a role in shaping my perspective and making me more aware of my impact on the world around me.