We were taken to Dhanpari as a part of our CAS trip to Dhanpari. There we got to experience the rural life, learn about the lifestyle of the people living there, what challenges do they face. We got to experience living away from our highly technical world without our phones or any devices, we had basic hygiene and had several activities. 

LO1- Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

Spending 7 days in a rural environment with minimal hygiene, basic food, and no technology is a significant departure from everyday comforts. The trek and the overall experience of living with limited resources required both physical and mental endurance. Completing the 3-hour trek, my weakness was my balance, showing areas of growth.

LO2- Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

I learned how to take care of myself with limited resources, practicing personal hygiene with minimal facilities. Without distractions from technology, I became more engaged with my surroundings and the people I interacted with, helping me develop focus and presence. I improved your face-to-face interaction skills while I interacted with the villagers living in the area as well.

LO6-Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance

During the trip, I got the opportunity to experience rural life firsthand. I learned about the lifestyle of the people living in Dhanpari, especially the challenges they face on a daily basis, such as limited access to technology, healthcare, and clean water. These are issues that many communities around the world struggle with, and being there made me more aware of the global significance of rural development and the need for sustainable solutions.

LO7– Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions

During the trip, I became more aware of how my lifestyle choices, particularly regarding technology and resources, can affect others. Living in a rural environment without phones or devices made me reflect on how dependent I usually am on technology and how much I take it for granted. The people in Dhanpari live without many of the conveniences I’m used to, and it made me think about the ethical implications of unequal access to technology and resources between urban and rural areas.

Takeaways:

• I learned to adapt to discomfort and uncertainty. 
• Experiencing a simpler, slower-paced lifestyle gave me a new appreciation for the things I usually take for granted, like modern conveniences, technology.