Community structure
Bara Killing is a vibrant and diverse community, home to a mix of tribal groups, with the
Garo tribe being the most prominent. Alongside the Garo, the community also hosts members
of the Khasi and Nepali tribes, contributing to a rich cultural blend. The community consists
of approximately 90 households, with a population of around 520 people. This diversity
shapes the social fabric of Bara Killing, creating a dynamic and interconnected environment
where traditions, languages, and practices coexist harmoniously.
Together with the Headman, ASHA incharge and a few other local members
ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT
1. Community Profile Development
A detailed community profile was developed in collaboration with the ASHA Incharge,
General Secretary, and local residents, focusing on demographic, social, and economic
characteristics.
2. Community Mapping
A comprehensive community map was created to identify essential infrastructure, landmarks,
resources, and other key features.
3. Survey on Substance Abuse and Its Impact
A structured survey was conducted to assess the prevalence of substance and tobacco use,
along with their effects on health and social wellbeing.
4. Organization of Sports Activities
Sports event was organised for the children in lower primary school, to promote physical
activity and encourage community participation.
5. Awareness and Outreach Initiatives
Educational outreach programs were conducted to raise awareness of key health issues such
as substance abuse, and to promote nutrition and overall wellness.
6. Environmental Observation
In-depth environmental observations were carried out to study local landscapes, biodiversity,
and the interactions between people and their natural surroundings.
7. Systematic Data Collection
Data were meticulously recorded through handwritten notes, photographic documentation,
and hand-drawn sketches to ensure accuracy and contextual understanding.
8. Engagement with Community Members
Meaningful interactions were conducted with residents, especially the elderly, to gain
personal and cultural insights beyond quantitative data.
9. Participatory Community Engagement
Active participation in community activities including surveys, awareness drives, and
recreational events helped build mutual trust and foster collaborative learning. Active
participation in community activities including surveys, awareness drives, and recreational
events helped build mutual trust and foster collaborative learning.
Engaging with children during field visit
Home Visit
Sports day held with students from the community Lower
Primary School.
Social Service
Outreach program on “Spreading Awareness:
Nutrition and Wellness for all”
Survey Analysis Report
A Comprehensive Overview of Key Findings
This report presents a summary of the demographic and behavioral data collected from
survey respondents. The following are the key findings:
Age Group Distribution
• 36–45 years: 29.9% (most common age group)
• 46–60 years: 28.6%
• 26–35 years: 19.5%
• 18–25 years: 16.9%
• Above 60 years: 5.2%
Gender Distribution
• Male: 64.9% (most common response)
• Female: 35.1%
Education Level
• No Formal Education: 46.8% (most common response)
• Primary School: 31.2%
• Secondary School: 15.6%
• Higher Education: 6.5%
Tobacco Use
• Yes: 83.1% (most common response)
• No: 16.9%
Alcohol/Substance Use
• Yes: 62.3% (most common response)
• No: 37.7%
Support for Early Education
• Yes: 92.2% (most common response)
• No: 7.8%
Willingness to Encourage Others to Quit Tobacco
• Yes: 97.4% (most common response)
• No: 2.6%
SKILLS, TOOLS, AND PRINCIPLES APPLIED DURING
FIELD WORK
SKILLS
Field work called for a blend of interpersonal, cognitive, and practical skills. Communication
was key our ability to speak clearly, listen actively, and engage meaningfully helped us build
trust and establish rapport with community members. These conversations opened doors to
deeper understanding and more authentic connections.
Listening, in particular, played a central role. Through active listening, we not only gathered
information but also created a safe space where individuals felt heard and valued. This was
essential in building strong client relationships.
Critical thinking and adaptability were equally vital. We often encountered unexpected
situations, and the ability to analyse, interpret, and respond to challenges on the spot
allowed us to remain effective and solution focused.
TOOLS
Our primary tools were observational and interactive in nature. Observation served as a silent
but powerful method of gathering insight. We noted the presence of key community features
such as fishery ponds and places of worship. One particularly striking observation occurred
in the local school, where we discovered that some children struggled with basic literacy,
such as spelling their own names an insight that called attention to deeper educational gaps.
Home visits became another essential tool in our toolkit. These visits allowed us to gather
firsthand information, assess living conditions, and better understand the client’s environment
laying the groundwork for more informed interventions.
PRINCIPLE
Our approach was rooted in a commitment to open, respectful, and clear communication,
creating a safe space where individuals felt heard and valued. We consistently met people
with empathy and without judgment, honoring their experiences, emotions, and identities as
they were. Throughout our work, we maintained a deep respect for the privacy of those we
engaged with, ensuring that the information they entrusted to us remained secure and
confidential. This respectful, empathetic, and trustworthy foundation allowed us to build
genuine connections, enabling not just the collection of data, but meaningful engagement and
contribution to the communities we served.
Challenges Faced During Field Work
Field work presented a range of real world challenges. One of the most common was the
language barrier communicating with locals who spoke different dialects often made
interviews and data collection more difficult and time-consuming.
Additionally, building trust with community members was not always easy. Some people
were hesitant to open up, especially when discussing personal or sensitive topics. It took
time, patience, and careful listening to create a safe and respectful environment.Despite these
difficulties, each challenge helped strengthen our problem-solving skills and taught us how to
adapt in unpredictable situations making the experience all the more valuable.
Learning Outcomes from the Field Work
Field work was a meaningful introduction to the realities of social work, especially as a new
student in this course. It gave me the opportunity to step outside the classroom and apply
what I’ve started learning in a real-world setting.
One major takeaway was the importance of effective communication learning to speak
clearly, listen actively, and connect with people from different walks of life. I also began to
understand the complex dynamics of communities, and how social, cultural, and economic
factors shape individual experiences. The experience challenged me to think critically, adapt
quickly, and solve problems on the spot skills that are essential in social work practice. I saw
how vital empathy, patience, and ethical responsibility are when working with individuals
and families.
As a beginner in this field, I’m aware that I still have a lot to learn. However, this field work
has laid a strong foundation and inspired me to continue growing, both personally and
professionally, through every future experience.
SELF-EVALUATION
Participating in field work as a new student was both challenging and rewarding. It pushed
me out of my comfort zone and helped me realize my strengths while also highlighting areas
where I need to grow. I believe I showed a genuine willingness to learn and engage with the
community. I was able to communicate effectively, listen attentively, and build positive
relationships with both peers and community members. I remained respectful, openminded,
and professional throughout the experience. However, I also recognized that I need to
improve in areas such as confidence in approaching unfamiliar situations and applying
theoretical knowledge more effectively in practice. There were moments when I hesitated or
felt unsure, but these experiences taught me valuable lessons about the importance of
preparation, adaptability, and self-trust.
Overall, I consider this field work a significant step in my learning journey. It gave me
practical insight into the realities of social work and strengthened my motivation to improve
and grow in this field.
CONCLUSION AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Field work was a valuable introduction to the real world practice of social work. It allowed
me to apply classroom knowledge in a practical setting and helped me understand the
importance of empathy, adaptability, and ethical responsibility. Critically, I learned that social
work involves more than theory it requires strong communication, emotional intelligence,
and the ability to navigate unexpected challenges. While I demonstrated active listening and a
willingness to learn, I also recognized the need to build more confidence and improve
decision-making in the field.
Overall, this experience was an important step in my growth as a social work student,
showing me both how far I’ve come and how much more I have to learn.
