My Experience as an NSS Volunteer: A 7-Day Village Camp in Gunaparthy

 

My Experience as an NSS Volunteer: A 7-Day Village Camp in Gunaparthy

Caption: "Making a difference, one village at a time."

During my undergraduate years, I had the privilege of volunteering with the National Service Scheme (NSS), and one of the most memorable experiences was a 7-day village camp we organized in Gunaparthy, a village in Warangal. Those days are still fresh in my memory, as they were not just about giving back, but also learning and growing through direct interaction with the villagers.

During the camp, we focused on understanding the needs of the community and contributing to their welfare. The villagers welcomed us with open hearts, and over the course of seven days, we got the chance to connect with them in multiple meaningful ways.

One of the first activities we organized was a house-to-house survey. We wanted to know if every household had a solution for garbage collection and disposal, if all family members had received their COVID vaccinations, and if there were any gaps in government initiatives that the villagers were unaware of. This gave us insights into their daily lives and helped us identify areas where we could make a real impact.

 

Another important event we held was a plantation program. We worked together with the villagers to plant trees, raising awareness about environmental sustainability and the importance of maintaining green cover for the well-being of the village. On another day, we conducted a plastic awareness program to educate the community about the harmful effects of plastic and encouraged them to adopt sustainable alternatives.

One of the highlights of our camp was a women empowerment drama, where we used theatre as a medium to discuss issues related to gender equality, education, and empowerment. The drama opened up important conversations among the villagers and empowered many women to express their thoughts and concerns.

Throughout the camp, we witnessed how small initiatives could lead to significant improvements in health, awareness, and the environment. The villagers, in turn, taught us invaluable lessons about resilience, simplicity, and the power of community.

This experience as an NSS volunteer was truly transformative. It wasn’t just about what we could teach or provide, but about the insights we gained from the village and its people. It gave me a deep sense of fulfillment to be part of such an impactful initiative, and it reinforced my belief in the importance of service to society and community development.

Pooja Mattapalli