Udupi Diocese

YCS Village Exposure Camp 2017-18, Udupi Diocese

02th to 05th April, 2018: The village exposure camp by Young Catholic Students Movement, Udupi Diocese for four days had been organised at Nithyadhar ward belonging to Ajekar parish of Karkal Deanery from 02 to 05 April 2018. It started with a procession march from Sacred Heart Church, Ajekar to the house where the camp was held. The inaugural ceremony was presided by Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi. The Camp was inaugurated by Rev. Fr Joswey Fernandes, Dean Karkal Deanery by breaking the coconut. Mr. Dinesh Kumar President Marne Panchayth hoisted the YCS Flag, Fr Sunil D’Silva, Parish Priest of Ajekar welcomed the gathering. Hazel Martis, Ex YCS Council Member shared her past experience in YCS. Fr Amith Rodrigues Asst. PP Ajekar, Mr. Gabrial D’Silva Vice President PPC Ajekar, Mrs. Leena Mascarenhas Secretary PPC Ajekar, Mr. Y Panduranga Nayak President Lions Club Ajekar & others were present.

Students were shuffled into 6 groups which consisted of students from different parishes. Each group had specific task to perform and common competitions were also held. Various activities were conducted based on the methodology of the movement - See (Awareness), Judge (Analysis) and Act (Action & Evaluation). The group activities helped the students to mingle with each other, make new friends, learn to live in a community, adjustment, etc. All of them spent the four days without using mobile phones which made them participate in full spirit.

The main purpose of this exposure was to understand the life of villagers and the way they viewed life. Participants visited the villagers and interviewed them which enabled them to understand the motto in a better way. For the students it was a special experience. The youngsters experienced the struggle of common man and the life style of village. For many of them it was first experience to work. They learned to cook, cleaned the surroundings, worked in fields, Konkani culture, Gumta songs etc.

Every day began with Holy Mass and then the work. A session on Career guidance was conducted by Fr Reginald Pinto, Director SAMPADA Udupi. Vicar General Msgr Baptist Menezes taught the Divine Mercy chaplet to the participants. Collage Presentation was conducted by Fr Anil Dsa, Director YCS YSM Karnataka. Mr Norbert Misquith conducted the Taize prayer which was most liked by the youngsters. Various games & action songs were conducted by Fr Sandesh Kelmbet.

Around 72 students from various parishes actively participated in the camp.