“WALKING WITH THE VILLAGE: A FIELD JOURNEY ROOTED IN COMPASSION AND CHANGE.
In an inspiring blend of academic learning and grassroots engagement, the MSW students of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, in collaboration with AMMACHI Labs, launched their fieldwork journey with a vibrant visit to Arasampalayam village on March 8, 2025. Spanning from March 8th to April 3rd, 2025, this immersive experience provided students with a unique opportunity to engage directly with rural communities. Marking the occasion of International Women’s Day, the day unfolded as a celebration and a powerful starting point for participatory learning. Cultural performances, interactive discussions, and inclusive activities brought women and community members together in an atmosphere of joy, dialogue, and mutual respect. This first encounter did more than break the ice—it sowed the seeds of trust, empathy, and collaboration that would define the following weeks of field engagement. The initiative aimed to go far beyond textbooks, immersing students in the heart of rural realities while promoting empowerment, awareness, and social transformation—beginning with listening, observing, and learning from the people themselves.
Over the following weeks, the students immersed themselves in a rich array of field-based activities, including household surveys, focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs), seasonal calendars, socio-ecological mapping, daily activity clocks, problem tree analysis, SWOT analysis, and transect walks. These tools allowed students to delve into the intricate layers of village life, uncovering patterns of employment, education, gender roles, health issues, access to resources, and environmental challenges. Each group of students engaged with diverse segments of the community, ranging from elderly residents and self-help group leaders to unmarried youth and working families, capturing a holistic picture of rural dynamics. A key insight from the field was the pervasive issue of water scarcity, with many families receiving water for barely 25 minutes on alternate days. Employment patterns revealed seasonal fluctuations and a growing dependence on schemes like MGNREGA, while health discussions exposed concerns about access to consistent medical care. Gender-based time-use studies highlighted the invisible labor of women, who juggled domestic responsibilities, caregiving, and in some cases, income-generating work. Through focus group discussions, women voiced aspirations for greater educational and economic opportunities, while elderly participants reflected on shifting cultural values and the challenges of aging in a rapidly changing society. The students didn’t just study the community—they became a part of it. From mapping village resources to listening to life stories, from celebrating Women’s Day with dance and song to sitting in quiet conversations under shaded verandas, this experience transformed theory into empathy and data into dialogue. More than just observers, the students became facilitators of reflection, offering the villagers a mirror through which to see their strengths, struggles, and the paths ahead.
Importantly, the fieldwork highlighted the power of participatory methods in rural development—methods that prioritize listening, learning, and co-creating solutions rather than imposing them. Students walked away not just with sharpened research skills, but with a deeper appreciation for resilience, for community bonds, and for the nuances of development that no textbook can truly capture. This collaboration between Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and AMMACHI Labs was more than a field visit—it was a journey of mutual learning. Students and villagers exchanged knowledge, built meaningful connections, and discovered the power of community-led change. They returned not just with data, but with deeper insights, renewed purpose, and the wisdom to practice social work with empathy and understanding.
