By Tr Sharmila for BIS Mumbai

On Friday, October 23, 2026, the students of Class IX and XI of Don Bosco Nerul Senior Secondary School participated in a Social Outreach Programme. The students of Class IX visited Tatanagar and those of XI visited Panchsheel Nagar, Belapur, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. The visit was planned to enable the students understand the everyday experiences and challenges of people in the community and to instill empathy, social awareness, and a sense of responsibility.

The students interacted respectfully with the residents there and asked questions about their livelihoods, working hours, wages, and the stability of their income. They enquired about the kinds of jobs people did, whether work was available throughout the year, and how families managed essential expenses such as food, rent, transport, and education. These conversations helped students recognise the connection between employment opportunities and a family’s standard of living.

The interaction also covered sanitation, drinking water, waste disposal, drainage, and the basic facilities available in these areas. The students asked whether toilets and clean water were easily accessible, how household waste was collected, and what difficulties residents faced in keeping their surroundings clean. They also spoke with the residents about the condition of their homes, available space, electricity, and other basic facilities.

Education and health were the important areas of enquiry. The students asked whether children in the community attended school regularly, what challenges families faced in continuing education, and whether students had access to books, digital learning facilities, and guidance. They also asked about access to nearby health centres, the affordability of treatment and medicines, and the availability of support during emergencies. The conversations were intended to listen and learn, rather than to judge or make assumptions about the residents’ circumstances.

The visit gave students an opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-life social and economic conditions. It encouraged them to think about dignity of labour, equal opportunities, public health, education, and the importance of essential civic services. Students also learnt that meaningful community engagement begins with listening carefully, asking questions sensitively, and respecting each person’s experiences and privacy.

The programme concluded with a reflection on how young people can contribute positively to society through awareness, responsible citizenship, volunteering, and support for educational and cleanliness initiatives. The visit to Panchsheel Nagar was a valuable learning experience that broadened students’ understanding of community life. It reinforced the belief that every individual deserves dignity, opportunity, and access to basic necessities, and that a more inclusive society can be built when people listen to one another and work together.