NSTP 2 Module 2: Community Immersion - Guide for Students

**Subject: NSTP 2** MODULE 2: Understanding the concept and principles of Community Immersion Learning Objectives: 1\. Explain the concepts and principles underpinning community and community immersion. 2\. Realize the importance of understanding the dynamics of a community and community immersi...

**Subject: NSTP 2** MODULE 2: Understanding the concept and principles of Community Immersion Learning Objectives: 1\. Explain the concepts and principles underpinning community and community immersion. 2\. Realize the importance of understanding the dynamics of a community and community immersion as a way to realize the objectives of NSTP; and 3\. Practice the standard operating procedures and establish protocols governing community immersion. INTRODUCTION: People involved in community immersion must be knowledgeable on the basic of community, i.e. its meaning, concepts, underpinning principles and nature of problems and issues arising therefrom. This will enable the trainees to have s good grasp of the local situation thereby preparing them to appropriately respond to the multifarious concerns in the community and properly carry out immersion projects and activities. DISCUSSION HIGHLIGHTS \*WHAT IS A COMMUNITY? Noted community development specialist Arlien Johnson once wrote that the term ["community" refers to a group of people gathered together in any geographic area, large or small, who have common interests, actual or potentially recognized in the social welfare field.] To paraphrase the words of Johnson, a community is a collective of people living in the same geographic locality or not. The meaning of community may actually vary depending on the objectives of a program to be conducted thereat. As per concept, a community may be categorized as geographical, or functional. The term geographical community is defined in the purview of group of persons living in the same geographical location like in a certain village, town, neighbourhood, district, area or territory. Meanwhile, community is said to assume the functional nature if the aggregate of people though not necessarily based on living in the same geographical location, is bonded by a common end such as fighting for the same cause, having the same interests and goals. A certain type of community has recently emerged. Some refer to it as just social movements but its definition points out that it surfaced out of the two other types of community. It is called a relevant community that defines a group of people having similar interests and goals as the communities around them. \*WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF A COMMUNITY? As a trainee, one should be aware of elements of a community in order to understand the dynamics thereof. 1\) Demographics-(characteristics of population) include population distribution and density. 2\) History -events of the past that contributed to the development of the community 3\) Culture- ways of living of the people 4\) Economy- income level, occupation of people 5\) Structures --physical, political and social structures \*WHY IS IMMERSION AN IMPORTANT APPROACH (STRATEGY) IN GIVING SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITIES? An old adage says that "Experience is the best teacher." Through community immersion, trainees will be exposed in further and other realities of life which they may or may not belong to. It will enable the trainees to understand how the people feel, think, say, and behave as dictated by their conditions and situations in life as a means to make feel and realize that they are more fortunate than many others and that the students can do something to improve the lives of the marginalized and underserved. For as the Holy Scripture tells us, "To whom much is given, much is required". Therefore, since students have been given the rare opportunity and the distinct privilege of being schooled that they are supposed to better the living conditions of those whom were not as auspicious as they are. After having explained the significance of the community immersion requirement of NSTP in the purview of the educational and religious perspectives, let us succumb to the legal basis of such. The basic questions as "what is the relevancy of the immersion part of the NST Program?" and "why would trainees need to study the behaviour of the people in and that which composed the community of which they serve?" Answer to these sort of questions is provided for in NSTP Act and has served as the mandate and core of recognizing the role of the youth in nation building. Young people are vested with the obligation "to defend the security of the State and in fulfilment thereof, the government may require each citizen to render personal military or civil service," (R.A. No.9163 Section 2, otherwise known as NSTP Act of 2001) whether in times of peace or war. The next question that trainee is bound to ask himself as he takes the first step of the process of immersion is, "Are trainees, young as they are, capable of responding to the stringent requirements of community building and meeting the skills and knowledge criteria of transforming communities?" Definitely, yes. The role of the youth in national/local development cannot be overemphasized. To reinforce this, are the very words of our national hero, "The youth is the hope of the Fatherland." \*WHAT IS COMMUNITY IMMERSION? Community immersion is a strategy that goes beyond acquainting us with community concerns but make possible our participation in their (re)solution. Community immersion is an essential strategy in community organizing work that entails understanding of the different community concerns, process, dynamics and lifestyle through exposure and engaging in different activities. It is different from actual organizing work. Immersion is just one of the strategies in plunging into community organization. Venture undertaken may be integrated or specialized activities which entail entering, familiarizing and involvement of the self in the conduct of the activities for community development. In view of the fact that immersion is a major concern in development work, trainees may find it significant to be guided by the following precepts: - Trainees should immerse in actual community life to get to know the social, political, and economic situation of the people. - Trainees may also undergo certain changes like increase in knowledge about the social realities, development of good values, empathy towards other people, improvement of social skills, among others. - Trainees should identify the community people's interest and aspirations. - Trainees must recognize the people's resiliency and does not rob them of their right to have community participation and determination of appropriate course of action. - Trainees should be aware of the gain-negotiated sanction- the acceptance derived from community relations coupled with the right to conduct immersion activities. - Trainees must reflect on how their social analysis of the current situation is concretized in community people's lives. The analysis should have as much meaning for the trainees as for the community. - Home visits - Living with key informants - Informal discussions with individuals or groups - Sharing in household and community activities (cooking with the community host, clean-up drive) - Attendance in social gatherings (fiestas, weddings, etc.) - Assistance in production work (selling, farming, etc.) \*WHOM DO YOU IMMERSE WITH IN THE COMMUNITY? "Community-based service projects must be premised on the principle of people empowerment and not the "dole-out" mentality. Teach people how to fish so that they will live for a lifetime." When one goes to a community, he associate with the people whom he intends to work with as his partners or allies in the community. Examples of these community partners are the parents, youth, the differently-abled constituents, professionals, members of people's organizations and other formal and informal group, and others who can be potential collaborator of your project or activities. We do not just work for and serve the people but rather we encourage their participation. This practice of enjoining people's support is adherent to the Confucious' philosophy of "give man a fish and he will live for a day; teach him how to fish and he will live for a lifetime". Community immersion is empowering the people towards development of the locality. \*WHAT CONDITIONS MAY QUALIFY ONE TO GO INTO COMMUNITY IMMERSION? It is so desired that the fundamental pre-requisite qualification among those who intend or tasked to undergo community immersion is a full understanding of the concept and theories behind the dynamics of groups and community. In the same breath, knowing the very process of immersion is a primordial condition. This is so because this endeavour requires a great deal of know-how and skills in facilitating interventions, planning and managing community service projects, among others. Training-wise, community developers/organizers and social workers are most qualified because it is assumed that they have more or less formal background on carrying out these kinds of undertakings. Volunteers in social organizations and movements also undertake immersions. They undergo professional training in development work. Such immersion typically proceeds to organizing work. As for NSTP, students enrolled in NSTP-CWTS/LTS 2 are mandated to undergo community immersion for a period covering a minimum of 54 hours to a maximum of 90 hours as cited from CHED Program of Instruction (POI), 2007 edition. \*WHAT PERSONAL GAINS MAY A STUDENT GET FROM COMMUNITY IMMERSION? The community immersion aspect of NSTP will be able to benefit not only the communities served but more so the student-trainees who may be accorded with the following advantage: - Opportunity for the trainees to comprehend people's lives because of the chance given to them to see the real life situations, live, identify and associate with the people therein; - Gain social acceptance derived from community relations coupled with the right to offer services; - Enhance experiences in conducting asset mapping such as identifying geographic coverage, point out resources and the use, and the relationships of people with the existing resources; - Establish rapport and relationship with different people who may be of help to them at some future time; - Develop their conscientization ability. It helps them realize issues that will solve problems in the community. It is important for them to do something that can change their situation. - Acquire first-hand experiences in dealing with community works; and the - Chance to learn life skills that will enrich and better their persons. \*WHAT YOU SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT DO IN COMMUNITY IMMERSION? It is a basic rule that trainees must be well-versed with the area, skilled to communicate with community people and disciplined to keep yourself from responding indifferently towards diverse types of personalities. Prudence, therefore, orders that community "immersionists" must be well-informed of the prescriptive and proscriptive norms in the conduct of community immersion. **Essential Protocols when visiting Community** **Things to remember** **Before the conduct of community immersion** 1. Familiarize yourself with the basic information and theories regarding community life. 2. Secure waiver from the NSTP office prior to the visit and have it signed by your parents. 3. Always inform your faculty in-charge of your destination. 4. Be armed with background information about the area of immersion. 5. Pay courtesy call to community leaders, whether formal or informal. 6. Secure documents like letter of acceptance from the community. 7. Bring your own personal provisions like water, snacks, and extra shirt. **During the actual community immersion period** 1. Be courteous to everyone. 2. Act properly and discreetly. 3. Wear proper uniforms and identification card. 4. It is highly advised to keep your valuables secured. 5. Always document your visit. 6. Always ask for permission from concerned people when you have to take pictures. **After community immersion** 1. Validate and evaluate if the programs and activities were conducted appropriately and as planned. 2. Provide copies of your final documentation output to the NSTP office and to the community where you conducted your immersion for record purposes. **Before the conduct of community immersion** 1. Never forget to inform and get the consent of your parents/ guardians about the activities lined up. 2. Do not go directly to the community without determining the background information about it. 3. Avoid bringing original copies of signed documents in the community. 4. If community people are insistent in their hospitality in offering your their provisions like food, try to gauge whether it would be offensive to refuse their offer. If you think they will be offended if you beg off, you may accept the food or water in your plate or glass but do not consume it. 5. Avoid labelling and naming people with politically incorrect terms. Try to be more discreet in your use of words to avoid offending other people. 6. Do not show off in terms of dressing up. Avoid drawing attention to yourself. Be as low profile as possible. 7. Never bring out your valuable things like cellphones, jewelry, and money in public places. 8. Never promise or commit to a task that is beyond your and your school's capability.