The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) 3rd Semester, Department of Social Work, Don Bosco College (Autonomous), Maram successfully conducted its annual field work rural camp at Purul Atongba Village, Senapati District, from August 8 to 15, 2025. The week-long programme brought together 38 Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) 3rd Semester students under the guidance of Dr. Evergreat Wanglar, Head of Department, and Ms. Thanchuiliu Gangmei, Assistant Professor. The rural camp aimed to provide students with practical exposure to rural life, enabling them to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. It served as a platform to engage directly with the community, understand local issues, develop problem-solving skills, and foster social responsibility among budding social workers. The inaugural ceremony commenced with an invocation of God’s blessings by Th. Joseph, Assistant Catechist. Fr. Horam Joel, Vice Principal of Rosary School, Purul, served as the Chief Guest and hoisted the camp flag. In his address, he encouraged students to embrace hard work, remain consistent, and always place God at the centre of their endeavours.
Throughout the camp, students engaged in a variety of community-oriented activities, including Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) exercises, a soft skills training session, an awareness programme, a household survey, and a village cleanliness drive. In the evenings, cultural events such as a talent hunt, group singing, dance competitions, and a cultural showcase brought together villagers and students in a spirit of camaraderie. The PRA session employed five key tools—Social Mapping, Resource Mapping, Pie Chart, Seasonal Calendar, and Scoring & Ranking—with hundreds of villagers participating. The soft skills training, held at Rosary School, Purul, benefited 102 students and covered topics such as goal setting, time management, respectfulness, good manners, politeness, and basic life goals. The awareness programme, themed “Women’s Education and Empowerment”, aimed to inspire and inform the local community about the importance of gender equity and education for women. The closing ceremony on August 15 was marked by the de-hoisting of the camp flag by Village Chief K. Lemo, in the presence of Youth President Royo Rona. In his speech, the Village Chief encouraged students to remain disciplined, work hard, and keep God at the centre of their lives. The Youth President echoed similar sentiments, urging them to become responsible and dedicated social workers.
The rural camp served as a platform for students to gain invaluable, hands-on experience in community engagement and development, while simultaneously deepening the institution’s connection with the host community.
Complementing the day’s activities, the evening programs—ranging from talent showcases and group performances to musical evenings—encouraged students to step beyond their comfort zones, express their creativity, and cultivate confidence and personal growth.
The Department of Social Work expressed deep gratitude to the people of Purul Atongba Village, including the Village Authority, Church elders, Women’s Society, and Youth Organization, with special mention of Village Chief K. Lemo and Youth President Royo Rona, for their unwavering support and guidance throughout the camp. Special appreciation is extended to Principal Fr. Ovelil Kurian and Vice Principal Fr. Horam Joel of Rosary School, Purul, for graciously facilitating the soft skills class for the school’s students. The Department also conveyed sincere thanks to the Principal of Don Bosco College (Autonomous), Maram, Fr. K.O. Sebastian, for his constant guidance and encouragement.
