ATLAS students take on rural immersion, discovering the realities and challenges of village life

Students of ATLAS SkillTech University got a rare opportunity to step out of their urban comfort zone and experience rural life first-hand. They travelled to Jawhar, a remote village in Palghar district in India, to understand the challenges faced by villagers and the unique ways in which they sustain themselves.

The students were divided into three teams to explore three key themes – water, health, and livelihood. Each team visited critical support systems that drive these areas, including NGOs, government healthcare centers, and government officials. They also interacted with the villagers to understand their daily routine and way of life.

Water

The water team had a chance to learn about the different ways in which the village collects and utilises water. They visited different water bodies, including check dams, bore wells and open wells, and learned about the challenges of water scarcity even with these support systems in place. The team also met with a government official who explained the complex processes involved in managing land, water and money.

Health

The health team explored the unique health challenges faced by the Aadivasi community and the importance of timely healthcare. They learned about the critical role played by community volunteers and visited a government healthcare center to understand the causes of under-nutrition and pre-natal care challenges. The team was shocked to learn about some of the superstitions that still exist in the village, such as the belief that pregnant mothers should not consume nutritious foods like black dates as it would result in their child being born dark-skinned.

Livelihood

The livelihood team had the opportunity to interact with villagers and understand their day-to-day activities, such as organic farming, wood cutting, and well water collection. They were surprised to learn that even in remote villages, the younger generation is turning to technology and using their mobile phones for online shopping.

Outcome

The experience provided the students with an opportunity to develop important human skills such as empathy, research methodology, managing adversity, and mapping ecosystems and interconnections. The students also had the chance to work on a project opportunity to build a dynamic digital visualisation solution that categorises the Palghar district population using different parameters and correlates it to different health issues.

Overall, the rural immersion program provided an eye-opening experience for the students, helping them to understand the challenges faced by rural communities and the importance of sustainable development solutions. It is important to continue such programs to bridge the gap between urban and rural communities and promote understanding and empathy among all members of society.