Our mandatory CAS trip wasn’t your typical sightseeing tour. Instead, we embarked on a bumpy bus ride to Sankheda, a remote village, for a hands-on experience: learning about and engaging in the practice of agriculture. While the journey might not have promised immediate thrills, it offered something far more valuable – the chance to step outside our comfort zones, learn a new skill, and contribute to a sustainable practice.

LO4: Perseverance and Commitment in CAS Experience

I took part in a school-organized CAS trip to the rural community of Sankheda this past winter. I chose to approach the experience with an attitude of perseverance and a want to learn, even though attendance was required and so did not allow for any personal option (LO4). Gaining firsthand knowledge of rural living and promoting collaboration with the local community were the main goals of the trip.

LO5: Demonstrating Skills and Benefits of Working Collaboratively

Sankheda life was very different from our life in the city. Even simple things like getting water took extra work. But by cooperating with our classmates, we were able to adjust and recognise the villagers’ ingenuity (LO5). Activities that promoted cooperation were arranged by the trip organisers. We went to help the villagers with their farming activities. This practical experience helped us better grasp the difficulties and pleasures of rural life while also fostering a sense of solidarity and enabling us to make a meaningful contribution to their way of life (LO5).

LO6: Engagement with Issues of Global Significance

We were exposed to the reality of rural agriculture while working with the farmers in their fields. Discussions about global issues like food security and sustainable farming techniques were spurred by their hard labour and the challenges they faced, like limited resources and unpredictable weather (LO6). We started to understand how intricately rural communities and global food systems are related.

LO7: Recognizing and Considering the Ethics of Choices and Actions

We were careful to treat the other visitors with respect over the entire encounter. We actively engaged in village events with a spirit of empathy and learning, being mindful of local customs (LO7). This required us to be aware of the possible effects of our presence on the neighbourhood. For instance, we made sure that our support during farming operations complied with their customs and didn’t interfere with their daily schedules. While in the hamlet, we also made an effort to leave as little of an environmental imprint as possible (LO7).

Overall Impact

Even though it wasn’t completely voluntary, the trip to Sankheda turned out to be a worthwhile educational experience. We discovered the value of adjusting to new surroundings, working together, and respecting the viewpoints of communities that are different from our own (LO4, LO5). In addition to promoting a better knowledge of rural life, the experience piqued interest in researching answers to global problems including sustainable agriculture and food security (LO6). We gained knowledge about the significance of responsibly interacting with people from diverse backgrounds and the worth of making meaningful contributions to communities. We can be sure that the teachings from Sankheda, particularly the value of moral behaviour, will continue to influence our thoughts and deeds in the future.