By Ankita Shelke & Fr Bento D'Souza for BIS Mumbai

Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra (BGVK) is facilitating a rural exposure programme for the novices of Don Bosco from STI Nashik in the tribal region of Nandurbar. The initiative aims to provide young religious with firsthand experience of rural and tribal realities, enabling them to understand the social, cultural, and educational context of the communities they encounter. Designed as an immersive learning experience, the programme encourages observation, dialogue, and participation at the grassroots level.

The exposure began with an orientation session conducted by Fr George and Fr Ajay, who offered a comprehensive overview of the socio-economic landscape of the district. The session focused particularly on the education scenario in tribal areas, highlighting geographical challenges, seasonal migration patterns, limited infrastructure, and issues related to access and continuity in schooling. At the same time, the orientation emphasised the resilience of tribal families and their determination to prioritise education for their children despite persistent constraints. This foundational input enabled the novices to approach the field visits with greater awareness and sensitivity.

Following the orientation, the novices visited several villages and educational institutions to gain direct exposure to community life. In Dhadgaon, they visited different Ashram schools where they interacted closely with tribal students and staff. The visits created space for meaningful conversations, as children shared insights into their daily routines, responsibilities at home, aspirations for the future, and experiences within the school environment. These exchanges helped the novices gain a realistic understanding of the opportunities and challenges present in rural education settings.

The interactions soon evolved into participatory engagement. The novices organised games, taught action songs, and joined the children in dance and group activities. The shared moments of laughter and enthusiasm fostered connection and mutual respect, transforming the encounters into vibrant exchanges rather than structured visits. Through these activities, the novices were able to experience the energy, creativity, and warmth of the children, while also recognising the importance of presence and accompaniment. The energy of the novices poured life into the environment and the impact was truly seen on the joyful faces of the ashram school students.

The rural exposure programme, facilitated by BGVK, will continue over the coming days with further village visits, institutional interactions, and opportunities for reflection. By combining orientation inputs with field immersion, the initiative seeks to nurture empathy, social awareness, and a grounded understanding of rural and tribal realities among the novices. The experience thus far has laid a strong foundation for deeper engagement, personal reflection, and meaningful learning rooted in lived experience.