Understanding the
concepts and
principles of
community
immersion
COURSE OUTCOME
◦Demonstrate knowledge and understanding on
community involvement strategies and approaches in
developing communities.
SPECIFIC LEARNING OUTCOME
O At the end of this unit, you are expected to analyse
cases on community involvement and evaluate the
cases following principles of NSTP based on
community scenarios.
COMMUNITY
O Refers to a group of people gathered together
in any geographic area, large or small, who
have common interests, actual or potentially
recognized in the social welfare field (Arlien
Johnson)
What is a community?
O A collective of people with
similar interests and goals
whether living in the same
geographic locality or not
CATEGORIES OF COMMUNITY
O Geographical - group of persons living in the same geographical
location like in a certain village, town, neighborhood, district, area, or
territory
O Functional - if the aggregate of people through not necessarily based
on living in the same geographical location, is bonded by a common
end such as fighting for the same cause, having the same interests
and goals.
O Relevant - surfaced out of the two other types of community; have
common interests in changing existing institutions to their advantage
in order to achieve redistribution of resource. It is geared towards
organization of the poor.
Elements of a Community
O Demographics - (population distribution or density)
O History - (events of the past that contribute to the
development of the community)
O Culture – (ways of living of the people)
O Economy – (Income level, occupation of the people)
O Structures – (Physical, Political and Social structure)
“There is no power for change
greater than a community
discovering what is cares about.”
– Margaret J. Wheatly
IMMERSION AS AN IMPORTANT
APPROACH
IN GIVING COMMUNITY SERVICE
O “Experience is the best teacher”
O To whom much is given, much is
required
O Exposure to realities of life
“Through community
immersion trainees will be
exposed in further and other
realities of life which they may
or may not belong to.”
Significance of Community
Immersion (Activity Questions)
1. Why would student-trainees of NSTP 2 need to study the
behavior of the people in and that which composed the
community where they serve?
2. What is the relevance of community immersion as part of
the NSTP program?
3. Are you capable of responding to the stringent
requirements of community building and meeting the skills
and knowledge criteria of transforming communities?
COMMUNITY IMMERSION
O An
essential strategy in community
organizing
work
that
entails
understanding
of
the
different
community concerns, process, dynamics
and lifestyle through exposure and
engaging in different activities.
CONCEPTS OF COMMUNITY
IMMERSION
O Home visits
O Living with selected families preferably with key
informants
O Informal discussion with individuals or groups
O Sharing in household and community activities
O Attendance in social gatherings
O Assistance in production work
Whom do you immerse within the
community?
O People who intend to work with as
partners
O Parents, youth, the differently-abled
constituents, professionals, members of
people’s organizations, and other formal
and informal group
What Personal Gains from
Community Immersion?
O Opportunity for the trainees to comprehend people’s lives
O Gain social acceptance from community relations
O Enhance experiences in conducting asset mapping
O Establish rapport and relationship with different people
O Develop their conscientization ability
O Acquire first-hand experiences
O Chance to learn life skills
The Extension Creed
By Dr. Y.C James Yen
Go to the people.
Live with the people. Learn from
them.
Plan with them. Work with them.
Start with what they know.
Build on what they have.
Teach by showing, learn by doing.
Not by showcase but a pattern.
Not odds and ends but a system.
Not piecemeal but integrated
approach.
Not to conform but to transform.
Not relief but release.
BEFORE THE CONDUCT OF
COMMUNITY IMMERSION
Things to remember:
O 1. Familiarize yourself with the basic information and
theories regarding community life. At this stage, you must at
least have in your mind a community you intend to immerse
at. Ask around for information about this community.
O 2. Secure a waiver from the NSTP office prior to the visit and
have it signed by the parents.
O 3. Always inform the faculty in-charge of your destination,
time table, and plan of action
BEFORE THE CONDUCT OF
COMMUNITY IMMERSION
Things to remember:
O 4. Be armed with background information about the area for immersion.
O 5. Pay courtesy call to community leaders, whether formal or informal.
Be sure that the people who will be helping in your project and the key
informants of the community are informed of your visit
O 6. Secure documents like a letter of acceptance from the community,
memorandum of agreement, etc. and other documents pertinent to your
stay in the community.
O 7. Bring your own personal provisions like water, snacks, and extra shirt.
BEFORE THE CONDUCT OF
COMMUNITY IMMERSION
Things to avoid:
O 1. Never forget to inform and get the consent of your
parents/guardians about the activities lined up
O 2. Do not go directly to the community without determining the
background information about it.
O 3. Avoid bringing original copies of signed documents in the
community. It is better to carry around original and certified true
copies of documents to prevent loss and smudging the
documents.
DURING THE ACTUAL COMMUNITY
IMMERSION
Things to remember:
O 1. Be courteous to everyone, whether it be a vendor or a
community official. Remember that you are there to work with
the community.
O 2. Act properly and discreetly. You are representing your school
and your fellow students. Be responsible with the words you
say.
O 3. Depending on the type of entry you use, wear proper
uniforms and identification card.
DURING THE ACTUAL COMMUNITY
IMMERSION
Things to remember:
O 4. It is highly advised to keep your valuables secured to protect
you from unnecessarily attracting and distracting community
people, from possible theft, etc.
O 5. Always document your visit. Write in your record notebook the
date, the narrative of important events that happened, and your
reflections in each visit
O 6. Always ask for permission from concerned people when you
have to take pictures.
DURING THE ACTUAL COMMUNITY
IMMERSION
Things to avoid:
O 1. Avoid labelling and naming people with politically
incorrect terms. Try to be more discreet in your use of
words to avoid offending other people.
O 2. Do not show off in terms of dressing up. You are
there in the community to help. Just bring an extra
white shirt if you have to change your soiled uniforms
after your activities.
DURING THE ACTUAL COMMUNITY
IMMERSION
Things to avoid:
O 3. Never bring out your valuable things like
cellphones, jewelry, and money in public
places.
O 4. Never promise and commit to a task that is
beyond your and your school’s capability.
AFTER COMMUNITY IMMERSION
Things to remember:
O 1. Validate and evaluate if the programs and
activities were conducted appropriately as
planned.
O 2. Provide copies of your final documentation
output to the NSTP office and to the community
where you conducted your immersion.
Group Activity
O Group the students into 5
O Each group must make a diorama made
of crap materials: barbecue and
popsicle sticks, plastic spoons and
forks, plastic bottles, boxes, adhesive
tapes, glue, yarn, used paint