Tribal Camp 2019

The Department of Social Work, in collaboration with the Attappadi Adivasi Development Initiative (AADI) organised a four-day tribal visit from the 6^thto the 9^thof September, 2019, to Attappadi tribal block, situated in Palakkad District in Kerala. The main objective of the visit was to enable students of 2^ndMSW (Community Development), to experience the tribal way of life. AADI is a non-governmental organisation working with dual motives - development of Adivasis and environment conservation. The students were guided by Dr. A. Alan Godfrey, Assistant Professor and PG Coordinator, Department of Social Work. On the first day, the students visited Varagampady village near to Anaikkatty and had an interaction with the Anganwadi workers in the village. On the following day, the students got an opportunity to visit the Government tribal speciality hospital in Kottathara, Attappadi; to understand the common health problems faced by the adivasis. On the second half of the second day and on the third day, the students conducted Participatory rural appraisal in Varagampady village and practised PRA techniques such as village mapping, social mapping, timeline mapping and resource mapping. On the third day, the students were oriented about Tarumithra (friends of trees) initiative by the Assistant Director of the agency. Tarumithra is an initiative started by Jesuit priests for environmental conservation. The tribal camp as a whole was a learning experience which enabled students to brush up their social work skills as well as experience the tribal way of living.