CIVIC WELFARE TRAINING

SERVICE (CWTS2)
NSTP Community Outreach Program: A
Prelude to Community Extension
STUDENTS ACTIVITY SHEETS

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF Materials:

COMMUNITY IMMERSION INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
●Student Activity Sheet,
Intended Learning Outcomes Computer/Cellphone
Within the period, the students are expected to: References:
a. Explain the concepts and principles underpinning community and Labuguen, F. (2019). NSTP 2
community immersion; Understanding the National
Service Training Program (C.
b. Realize the importance of understanding the dynamics of a J. Vidal, R. P. Moralde, R.
community and community immersion as a way to realize the objectives Placer & E. Rendorio, Eds.)
of NSTP; and
c. Practice the standard operating procedures and establish protocols
governing community immersion.

Name: __________________________________ Course & Yr.: ________Section: _____

Lesson Preparation

Directions: Write your answer in the space provided.

In your own understanding:
a. Define what a community is.
__________________________________________________________________________
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b. Define what community immersion is.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
c. Briefly explain how this quote “Experience is the best teacher” relates to community immersion.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Presentation

WHAT IS A COMMUNITY?

Noted community development specialist Arlien Johnson once wrote that the term ‘community’
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.
To paraphrase the words of Johnson, a community is a collective of people with similar interests
and goals whether living in the same geographic locality or not. The meaning of community may actually
vary depending on the objectives of a program to be conducted there at.

As per concept," a community may be categorized as geographical

"A community is a
or functional. The term geographical community is defined in the purview of
collective of people with
group of persons living in the same geographical location like in a certain
similar interests and goals
village, town, neighborhood, district, area or territory. Meanwhile,
whether living in the same
community is said to assume the functional nature if the aggregate of
geographic locality or not."
people though 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. These are people who hold common values, share common
functions or express common interests.

A certain type of community has recently emerged. Some refer to it as just social movements but
its definition points out that it surfaced out of the two other types of community. It is called a relevant
community that defines a group of people having similar interests and goals as the communities around
them. These populations have common interests in changing existing institutions to their advantage in
order to achieve redistribution of resources. It is geared towards organization of the poor.

Elements of a Community

As a trainee, one should be aware of

elements, of a community in order to understand
the dynamics thereof. The important elements Demographics (include population
are demographics, history, culture, economy, distribution and density)
and structures. The demographics History (events of the past that contributed
(characteristics of population) tell a lot about the to the development of the community)
movement of the population in the community Culture (ways of living of the people)
that you will serve. History allows you identify Economy (income level, occupation of people)
certain patterns of change and people’s way of Structures (physical, political and social
adapting to these changes that can be useful in structures)
plotting your activities. Understanding the
economy, culture, and community structures
increases the chances of the success of activities since anyone can provide culture-based and more
realistic solutions to community concerns.

In example, you were able to identify that it floods in a market area nearby the creek. During rainy
seasons, sales are very low because their merchandise gets soiled by the rain. They have adapted by
using improvised plastic covering to coat their merchandise but they are not so attractive. What kind of
projects do you think you can do by learning this information already? By experience, the architecture
and fine arts students training in the NSTP would usually think of enhancing the features
of the merchandise, covering the stalls to attract more consumers even during the rainy season.
Based on their assessment of these elements and by working with the community, one can already
formulate plan of actions.

Immersion as an Important Approach in Giving Community Service

An old adage says that, "Experience is the best teacher”. Through community immersion,
Going through the immersion process and trainees will be exposed trainees will be exposed in further
in further conducting community service activities/projects and and other realities of life which
will enable the trainees to understand how the people feel, think, they may or may not belong to.
say, and behave as dictated by their conditions and situations in life
as a means to make feel and realize that they are more fortunate
than many others and that the students can do something to improve the lives of the marginalized and
underserved.

As the Holy Scripture tells us, "To whom much is given, much is required." Since students have been
given the rare opportunity and the distinct privilege of being schooled that they are supposed to better
the living conditions of those whom were not as auspicious as they are. As one of the objectives of this
book expounds, trainees will be exposed in further and other realities of life which they may or may not
be used to.

After having explained the significance of the community immersion requirement of NSTP in the
purview of the educational and religious perspectives, let us succumb to the legal basis of such. The
basic questions as "What is the relevancy of the immersion part of the NSTP?" and "Why would trainees
need to study of the people in and that which composed the community where they serve?” Answer
to these sort of questions is provided for in NSTP Act and has served as the mandate and core of
recognizing the role of the youth in nation building.

Young people are vested with the obligation “to defend the security of the State and in
fulfillment thereof, the government may require each citizen to render personal military or civil
service," (Section 2, NSTP Act of 2001) whether in times of peace or war. Simply put, aside
from becoming socially aware of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of their
communities, trainees are believed to possess the qualities and energies that, if properly
channeled and directed, will yield results towards arresting, if not totally annihilating, the
innumerable dilemmas of man.
The next question that a trainee is bound to ask is the first step of the process of immersion
is, "Are trainees, young as they are, capable of responding to the stringent requirements of
community building and meeting the skills and knowledge criteria of transforming
communities?" Definitely, yes. The role of the youth in national/ local development cannot be
overemphasized. To reinforce this are the very words of our national hero, "The youth is the
hope of the Fatherland."

What is Community Immersion?

Community immersion is an essential
s t r a t e g y i n c o m m u n i t y o r g a n i z i n g w o r k that “Community immersion is a strategy that
entails understanding of the different community goes beyond acquainting us with community
concerns, process, dynamics and lifestyle concerns but make possible our participation
through exposure and engaging in different in their (re)solution.”
activities. It is different from the actual organizing
work. Immersion is just one of the strategies in plunging into community organization. Venture
undertaken may be integrated or specialized activities which entail entering, familiarizing and
involvement of the self in the conduct of the activities for community development.
Philippines: The National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Plan (NDRRMP) 2011 to . 2018
Publication date: 2011
Source: Philippines
A plan which serves as the national guide on how sustainable development can be
achieved through inclusive growth while building the adaptive capacities of communities; increasing
the resilience of vulnerable sectors; and optimizing disaster mitigation opportunities with the end
in view of promoting people's welfare and security towards gender-responsive and right-
based sustainable development. It outlines the activities aimed at strengthening the capacity of
the national government and the local government units (LGUs) together with partner
stakeholders, to build the disaster resilience of communities and to institutionalize
arrangements and measure for reducing disaster risks, including projected climate risks and
enhancing disaster preparedness and response capabilities at all levels.

The plan highlights, among others, the

importance of mainstream Disaster risk and reduction and management
(DRRM) and climate change adaptation (CCA) in the development process such
as policy formulation, socio economic development planning, budgeting, and
governance particularly in the area of environment, agriculture, water, energy,
health, education, poverty reduction, land-use and urban p l a n n i n g a n d p u b l i c
i n f r a s t r u c t u r e a n d housing among others. It also highlights the need for
institutionalizing DRRM policies, structures, coordination mechanism and programs
with continuing budget appropriation on DRR from national down to local levels.

C o m m u n i t y i m m e r s i o n in NSTP is devised as a strategy in molding and

‘ conscientizing’ students just so that they may be socially aware and responsible to their
communities. This manner of transformation is bent on training the youth to becoming civic
conscious and defense prepared individuals. The nature of immersion efforts done is along the
dimensions of, but not limited to, education, health, safety education, sports and recreation,
environmental services, entrepreneurship, morals of citizenry and other social welfare
concerns.

In view of the fact that immersion is a major concern i n development work,

trainees may find it significant to be guided by the following precepts:

 Trainees should immerse in actual community life to get to know the social,
political and economic situation of the people.
 Trainees may also undergo certain changes like increase in knowledge about the
social realities, development of good values, empathy towards other people,
improvement of social skills, among others.
 Trainees should identify the community people's interest and aspirations.
 Trainees must recognize people's resiliency and does not rob them of their right to
have community participation and determination of appropriate courses of action.
 Trainees should be aware of the gain-negotiated sanction — the acceptance derived
from community relations coupled with the right to conduct immersion activities.
  Trainees must reflect on how their social analysis of the current situation is
concretized in community people's lives. The analysis should have as much
meaning for the trainees as for the community.

The following are the forms of integration in community immersion :

 Home visits
 Living with selected families preferably with key
informants
 Informal discussions with individual s or groups
 Sharing in household and community activities
(cooking with the community host, clean-up drive)
 Attendance in social gatherings (fiestas, weddings, etc.)
 Assistance in production work (selling, farming, etc.)

Whom Do You Immerse Within the Community?

When one goes to a community, he/she associates with the people whom intends to work with as
partners, allies Community-based service projects must be premised- on the principle of people
empowerment and not the 'dole-out' mentality. The parents, youth, the differently-abled constituents,
professionals, members of people's organizations, and other formal and informal group, and others who
can be a potential collaborator of your project or activities.
We do not just work for and serve the people but rather we encourage their participation. This
practice of enjoining people's support is adherent to the Confucian' philosophy of "give man a fish and he
will live for a day; teach him how to fish and he will live for a lifetime." Community immersion is
empowering the people towards development
of the locality.

Conditions in a Community Immersion

It is so desired that one fundamental pre-requisite qualification among those who intend or are
tasked to undergo community immersion is a full understanding of the concepts and theories behind the
dynamics of groups and community. In the same breath, knowing the very process of immersion is a
primordial condition. This is so because this endeavor requires a great deal of know-how and skills in
facilitating interventions, planning and managing community service projects, among others.
Training-wise, community developers/organizers and social workers are most qualified because it
is assumed that they have more or less formal background on carrying out these kinds of undertaking.
Volunteers in social organizations and movements also undertake immersions. They undergo
professional training in development work. Such immersion typically proceeds to organizing work.

As for NSTP, students enrolled in NSTP-CWTS/LTS 2 are mandated to undergo community immersion
'...community immersion for a period covering a minimum of 54 hours to a maximum of 90 hours
improves the trainees' as cited from CHED-prescribed Program of Instruction (POI), 2007
understanding of himself." edition.
What Personal Gains from Community Immersion

The community immersion aspect of NSTP will be able to benefit not only the communities served but
more so the student-trainees who may be accorded with the following advantage:
- opportunity for the trainees to comprehend people's lives because of the chance given to them to
see real life situations, live, identify and associate with the people therein;
- gain social acceptance derived from community relations coupled with the right to offer services;
- enhance experiences in conducting asset mapping such as identifying geographic coverage,
point out resources and the use, and the relationships of people with the existing resources;
- establish rapport and relationship with different people who may be of help to them at some future
time;
- develop their conscientization ability. it helps them realize issues that will help solve problems in
the community. It is important for them to do something that can change their situation.
- acquire first-hand experiences in dealing with community work; and the
- chance to learn life skills that will enrich and better their persons

Succinctly, community immersion improves the trainees' understanding of himself in relation to others.
And by understanding others, the trainees can be able to give a part of himself to help others.

Most important of all, community immersion is in consistent with the innate and ultimate intention of
helping people as immortalized in the words that spell the extension creed by Dr, Y.C. James Yen of the
the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction.

The Extension Creed

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 showing 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.

Dos and Don'ts in Community Immersion

It is a basic rule that trainees must be well-versed with the area, skilled to communicate with
community people and disciplined to keep yourself' from responding indifferently towards diverse types
of personalities.
Prudence, therefore, orders that community "immersionists" must be well-informed of the
prescriptive and proscriptive norms in the conduct community immersion.

Hereunder is a guide prepared by Dr. Florida C. Labuguen and Ms. Emily Rose M. Bautista in
manuscript form entitled 'Essential Protocols When Visiting Community.'
Synthesis

Immersion, as a methodology used in the NSTP Training, is a mode of bringing the NSTP-
CWTS/LTS student trainees to the field for them to have a feel of the real-life situations, living with the
less-fortunate segments of the society and of the people, especially in the deprived, depressed, and
underprivileged communities with the end in mind of involving them Into an endeavor that is envisaged to
and alleviate poor and distressed living conditions in the improvement of the communities and their
people.
This way, the trainees understand the plight of the poor and hopeless, learn to appreciate the
lowly, disadvantaged groups and empathize with the predicaments of those, whom they serve as they
conceptualize and implement projects and activities that will promote the common good particularly* their
clientele. Thus, community immersion is a two- pronged strategy where students serve a community and
at the same time learn from their experiences thus making them a better person.

Community immersion is vital to the development of the trainees' knowledge, skills, values and
attitudes in realizing the penultimate ends of NSTP, that is, enhancing the civic-consciousness and
defense preparedness in the youth by developing the ethics of service and patriotism while undergoing
citizenship- centered training.
As prescribed in the IRR of the NSTP Law, community immersion efforts are directed towards
addressing issues and concerns along the multi-dimensional aspects of human existence and
development. Corollary to this, various dimensions of development were identified as the frame of
reference.
This process of community immersion is bound by guidelines and protocols as a way to ensure
that the objectives set are met.
Practice
Dos and Don'ts in Community Immersion
Direction: Indicate on the space before the number the shape that corresponds in
what period does each item takes place during community immersion. 10 minutes will be allotted for
answering.
Before
Legend:
During

After

__________1. Always ask for permission from concerned people when you have to take pictures. It
is best to take pictures that show you "in action" and working with the community people as these
can best illustrate your experiences in the community.
____________2. Avoid labeling and naming people with politically incorrect terms. Try to be more
discreet in your use of words to avoid offending other people.
___________3. Familiarize yourself with the basic information and theories regarding community
life.
____________4. Always inform and get the consent of your parents/ guardians about the activities
lined up.
____________5. Be courteous to everyone whether to a vendor or a community official. Remember
that you are there to work with the community.
___________ 6. Do not go directly to the community without determining the background information
about it.
___________ 7. Depending on the type of entry you use, wear proper uniforms and identification
card.
____________8. Bring your own personal provisions like water, snacks and extra shirt. These will be
helpful to fill in those hunger pangs while conducting the immersion.
____________9. Never promise and commit to a task that is beyond your and your school's
capability. Never go beyond the activities stated in your MOA to avoid false commitments and
dependency of the community.
____________10. Act properly and discreetly. You are representing your school and your fellow
students. Be responsible with the words say.
___________ 11. Avoid bringing of 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
paper.
___________ 12. Always document your visit. Write in your record notebook and have it checked by
your faculty-in-charge.
___________ 13. Never bring out your valuable things like cellphones, jewelry, and money in public
places.
___________ 14. 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.
___________ 15. It is highly advised to keep your valuables secure to protect you from unnecessarily
attracting and distracting community people, from possible theft, etc.
Performance

A. Read each statement carefully. Choose the answer by encircling the letter of the word phrase
that corresponds to what is described/asked in each item.

1. Factor/s that increase/s chances of the success of immersion activities/ projects.

a. understanding the community's economy
b. knowing the culture of the people
c. determining the community structures
d. all of the above
2. The constitutional provision that states that it is an obligation of the Filipinos to defend the security of
the State by requiring each citizen to render military or civil service.
a. Sec. 4, Art. II c. Sec. 13, Art. II
b. Sec 1, Art. I d. Sec. 1, Art. III
3. It is 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.
a. community forum/assembly c. community immersion
b. community needs assessment d. community development
4. It is a collective of people with similar interests and goals whether living in the same geographic
locality or not. Its definition may actually vary depending on the objectives of the program to be
conducted in it.
a. agency
b. locality
c. community
d. school
5. The very essence of community work.
a. integration
b. unity
c. communication
d. community participation
6. The more appropriate term to use which refers to those whom we offer our services to and work within
the community.
a. partners/community partners c. reservists
b. key informants d. students
7. It is the acceptance derived from community relations coupled with the right to conduct immersion
activities.
a. Memorandum of agreement c. memorandum of understanding
b. negotiated sanction d. letter to the barangay
8. Individuals involved in conducting community immersion.
a. NSTP-CWTS/LTS trainees
b. volunteer and social organization
c. students who have background and involvement in community work
d. all of the above
9. Form of integration in community immersion.
a. home visit
b. living with selected families
c. sharing of community activities
d. all of the above
10. The ultimate goal of community immersion in the light of NSTP.
a. Developing people and the trainees
b. Sharing resources
c. Conducting training
d. Giving dole-outs to the poor
B. Using the checklist below, put a star ( ) to indicate that the item is a prescriptive norms (Dos)
and cross mark (x) for proscriptive norms (Don'ts) appropriately on which column it falls under in
view of the period where each is likely to happen during the community immersion.

Dos & Don’ts Before During After

1. Act properly and discreetly. You are representing your school and your
fellow students. Be responsible with the words you say.
2. Avoid bringing of 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 paper
3. Familiarize yourself with the basic information and theories regarding
community life.
4. Never forget to inform and get the consent of your parents/ guardians
about the activities lined up.
5. Be courteous to everyone - whether to a vendor or a community official.
Remember that you are there to work with the community.
6. Do not go directly to the community without determining the background
information about it.
7. Depending on the type of entry you use, (please see page 50 on phases
of Community immersion) wear proper uniforms and identification card.
8. Bring your own personal provisions like water, snacks, and extra shirt.
These will be helpful to fill in those hunger pangs while conducting the
immersion.
9. 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.
10. Validate and evaluate if the programs and activities were conducted
appropriately and as planned.