RURAL EXPOSURE CAMP – AICUF KARNATAKA

Date: November 6 – 9, 2025
Venue: Loyola Vikasa Kendra, Mundgod, Uttara Kannada

Participants from SJEC- AICUF Unit were :

1. Sanjothomas V S 4SO24CS195
2. Harshitha 4SO23CS092
3. Lenisha Pais 4SO23CS130

The Rural Exposure Camp 2025 was organized by AICUF Karnataka in the villages of Mundgod Taluk of Uttara Kannada district, with Loyola Vikasa Kendra, Mundgod serving as the main center for gathering and final evaluation. The camp enabled the students to engage directly with rural communities, particularly the Siddi community. The camp aimed to help the students understand the social, cultural, and economic aspects of rural living while promoting empathy, teamwork, and social responsibility. 

It also sought to help the students gain insight into community health, rural development programs, and local governance, and to develop practical problem-solving skills through real-life engagement.

The students began their journey from Mangaluru on the night of 5th November 2025 and reached Loyola Vikasa Kendra, Mundgod early the next morning. Upon arrival, they had an orientation and briefing session led by Fr. Merwyn and the organizing team, who explained the goals, objectives, and schedule of the camp.

After breakfast, all participants were divided into small groups and assigned to different villages of Mundgod taluk where they stayed with host families for the next three days. Each student was placed in a separate village— Sanjothomas V. S. in Mainalli, Harshitha in Gunjavati, and Lenisha Pais in Ugginkere—where they stayed with different host families along with AICUF members from other colleges. The villagers welcomed them warmly and made them feel at home.

During the three days (6th to 8th November), the students participated in various activities, including:

• Assisting doctors during Anganwadi health check-ups for children of the Siddi community.
• Conducting house-to-house surveys on health and living conditions.
• Interacting with villagers to learn about their customs, traditions, and culture.
• Visiting fields and farmlands to understand their sources of livelihood and also learn and help them.
• Spending time with children and playing educational games.

They also had the opportunity to listen to inspiring stories from the villagers, which helped them understand their struggles, sacrifices, and strong sense of community.

The camp gave the students a new perspective on simplicity, gratitude, and happiness. They realized that people in rural areas live contentedly with limited resources yet are rich in values, relationships, and compassion. Through the reflection sessions held each evening, the students shared their experiences and understood how important empathy, service, and gratitude are in their own lives. This experience taught them that genuine joy lies in giving, sharing, and living in harmony with others.

On 9th November, they returned to Loyola Vikasa Kendra for the final evaluation and reflection session. The doctors shared their observations from the surveys, and Fr. Merwyn concluded the camp with words of encouragement and appreciation for all participants. Later, the students visited the Tibetan Colony at Mundgod, which added a cultural and spiritual dimension to their camp. That night, they departed from Mundgod and reached Mangaluru on 10th November morning, carrying with them many valuable lessons and wonderful memories.

The Rural Exposure Camp 2025 was a memorable and enriching experience for all the students. It taught them to value simplicity, appreciate the strength of community life, and live with gratitude and compassion. The lessons learned will continue to inspire them to serve others and contribute positively to society.