Argentinian university student volunteers visit Mysore & Hunsur
From 30th September to 15th October, 15 Argentinian youth from Universidad Siglo 21, Buenos Aires visited ODP-Mysore and Hunsur to participate in FSL India’s work camp. The theme of the camp was Culture, Education and Nature. The Argentinian youth had an educational and inspiring time during their 3 weeks in India.
They began their experience by an exposure visit to an agricultural farm. Here, they watched a demo of bio pesticides and prepared ‘Jeevamruta’ and ‘Panchagavya’ organic fertilisers along with the farmers. They helped to harvest flowers and different kinds of vegetables grown at the farm. They spent the night at a nearby village and on the following day, planted trees along with the villagers. They had lively discussions with the village women on their lifestyle and farming.
One of the most interesting activities of the camp was when the students visited Mysore university and Simha Subbamahalakshmi First Grade College, Mysore and exchanged views with the students there. The students of both universities animatedly compared notes about the education system and university life in both their countries.
The lights of Dussehra lit up the Mysore palace and the cultural tour around this historic city was a never-to-be-forgotten experience for the Argentinians. They participated in all the festivities and got to taste all the culinary delights of the season.
At Giver High School, Gurupura, Hunsur Taluk, they brought the knowledge of rainwater harvesting to the schoolchildren and also implemented it.
They also taught the children basic English through innovative teaching methods of non-formal education. Renovation work at the school was another activity that the students were involved with and their contributions were much appreciated by both the school administration and the schoolchildren.
They ended their memorable journey in India with a visit to the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve forest and the famous Irippu waterfalls. All in all, it was a thrilling, educational and life changing experience at FSL-India’s work camp.
