Studies apart, Marian students reach out to local communities

One of the objectives of education is the all-round development of an individual. Social activities along with studies enrich our lives. The students of Marian College, Kuttikkanam, go beyond their campus to engage in meaningful social activities.

The social extension department of the college ensures that each student undertakes some kind of outreach activities every year.

The co-ordinator for the outreach activities Mr Sebastian told Onmanorama that the main objectives of outreach activities are to lend a helping hand to the society and to know a village up close. “As the outreach programmes are organised and conducted by the students themselves, they will also improve their organisational and coordination skills,” noted Fr Sijo Pannalakkunnel, Director for Extension Activities.

Here are some socially helpful activities conducted so far by the Marian students this academic year:

Back to school

The final-year MBA students made the Children’s Day special by organising a grand celebration with the whole village of Kozhimala near Kattappana, Idukki. Several cultural programmes were staged by children soon after the inaugural functions.

The villagers and students from a nearby childcare centre (anganwadi) joined the rally held on the occasion. School and college students too attended the rally.

Local shopkeepers supplied sweets.

Games too were organised, and the celebrations culminated with a delicious feast (sadhya) arranged by the students themselves.

The Kozhimala LP School was the venue for the events.

Life up close

A two-day camp, named ‘Ottamarathannalil’, was organised by the second-year Commerce students at Amalagiri village near Peerumedu to understand the life there better.

The campers cleaned roads, planted trees and disposed waste in association with the Peruvanthanam local self-governing body. Several competitions were organised for the little ones of St. Thomas Lower Primary School, Amalagiri.

The Marian students also made a beautiful garden and a vegetable garden for the school. Cultural programmes by the hosts were another attraction.

“This is our second outreach programme of this academic year. The first one was held as part of the Children’s Day celebrations in school near our college. Here at Amalagiri, we got the opportunity to know about this beautiful village,” Rahana Maria Sebastian, a Marian student, noted.

Productive work

A three-day community outreach camp, christened ‘Ithal’, was organised by the second-year Social Work students at the St Mary’s High School, Angelvalley, near Erumely. Career guidance and awareness classes were held for the school students.

Road cleaning, waste disposal, preparation of vegetable garden were among the other activities.

Poonjar MLA P C George paid a visit to the camp on the second day. “Spending weekend days in a useful manner is something to be appreciated. It is very happy to see that Marian College is making the students socially responsible,” he remarked.

The camp had organised these activities also with an aim to wean away children from addictive social media habits or mobile games.

Smart mission

Another batch of second-year B Com students conducted a one-day outreach programme, named ‘Koodal’, at the Elappara primary school. Marian students held personality development sessions for students and training on digital banking for teachers. They also cleaned the school premises and prepared a vegetable garden.

Spreading cheer

The second-year students of Computer Applications course got the opportunity to put a smile on the face of mentally disabled women at the Assissi Snehanilayam, Kattappana.

“It was a day of happiness for all of us. We got an entire day to be with this innocent souls, telling stories, singing songs, dancing, having food with them and so on,” said Venu, the class representative.

The students also prepared a Christmas crib and cleaned the premises of the asylum.