COMMUNITY IMMERSION

WHAT IS COMMUNITY IMMERSION?

Community Immersion is a social strategy in public safety education and training designed to bridge the
gap between theoretical instruction and the realities of public safety work through experiential learning.
Community Immersion refers to the mingling of the interested people with the community purposely to
attain a common goal or interest (i.e. winning hearts and minds, establishing trust and confidence,
building good rapport, etc.)

It is a strategy designed to cope up with the gap between realities of the community through learning
and theoretical instruction, social strategy and training to attain common goal and interest.

SOME MEANINGS OF COMMUNITY IMMERSION

Community Immersion is a strategy of transforming deprived, depressed, and

underprivileged (DDU) communities and NSTP students into self-sustaining ones
as persons for others imbued with good citizenship values of being
MAKDIYOS
MAKATAO
MAKABAYAN
MAKAKAL I KASAN

Through Community Immersion, NSTP students contribute (in their own little
ways) in the upliftment of the quality of life of the people and, at the same time,
develop their ethics of service

Community Immersion is a means for NSTP students to value the critical role
they play in nation building as they begin to have a deepened sense of
awareness and involvement in real life situations

Through community immersion, NSTP students will be exposed to the realities of

life which they may or may not belong to

Community immersion is a strategy that goes beyond acquainting us with the

community concerns but make possible our participation in their (re)solution
Community immersion improves the NSTP students understanding of
himself/herself in relation to others

Community immersion is a two-pronged strategy where NSTP students serve a

community and at the same time learn from their experiences
thus making them a better person

IMMERSION AN IMPORTANT APPROACH (STRATEGY) IN GIVING SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITIES

An old adage says that "Experience is the best teacher." Going through the immersion process and
conducting community service activities/projects will enable the trainees to understand how people
feel, think, 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.

For as Holy Scripture tells us, "To whom much is given, much is required." Therefore, since students
have been given the rare opportunity and the distinct privilege of being schooled, 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 belong 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 Program?" and "why would
trainees need to study the behavior of the people in that which composed the community of which they
serve?" Answer to these sorts of questions is provided for in NSTP Act and has served as the mandate
and core of recognizing the role of 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 himself as he takes 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."

WHOM DO YOU IMMERSE WITH IN THE COMMUNITY?

When one goes to a community, he associates with the people whom he intends to work with as his
partners or allies in the community. Examples of these community partners are the parents, youth, the
differently-abled constituents, and 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 Confucius' 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.

WHAT CONDITIONS MAY QUALIFY ONE TO GO INTO 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 involvements 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 for
a period covering a minimum of 54 hours to maximum of 90 hours as cited from CHED-prescribed
Program of Instruction (P01), 2007 edition.

WHAT PERSONAL GAINS MAY A STUDENT GET FROM COMMUNITY IMMERSION?

The community immersion aspect of NSTP will be able to benefit not only the communities served but
more so the CWTS students who may be accorded with the following advantage:

Opportunity for the trainees to comprehend people's lives because of the chance given to the 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 the community works; and

Chance to learn life skills that will enrich and better their persons. Succinctly, community immersion
improves the CWTS students' understanding of himself or herself in relation to others. And by
understanding others, the CWTS students can be able to give a part of himself to help others.

WHAT YOU SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT DO 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 'immersions' 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.'
THINGS TO REMEMBER... I THINGS TO AVOID...
Before the conduct of community immersion
1. Familiarize yourself with the basic Never forget to inform and get the
information and theories regarding consent of your parents/ guardians
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.

Secure
2. a waiver from the NSTP office prior
about the
to the visit and have it signed by
lined up.
your
parents.
Always inform your faculty in-charge of your
3.

destination, time table and plan of action.

Be
4. armed with background information
about the area for immersion. This will be
helpful in locating resources, and site entry
and exit points which will make your travel
more convenient. Background information
will enable you to anticipate the
general
characteristics of people in that area.
In example, there are barangayshere in
Manila, which are historically and primarily
composed of Pampanguenos.With this
background information, you can already assess that
people in that community mainly identify with
Pampanguenos. To facilitate your community activities
promptly, you can ask a fellow trainee who have deeper
understanding of the culture to lead you on. Do not go directly to the community
without determining the background
information about it.
_

Pay
6. courtesy call to community
whether formal or informal. Courtesy calls
 may also be done to officers of an NGO where the project
is also directed to. Be sure that the people who will be
helping you in your project and the key informants of the
community are informed of your every visit. Provide them
a copy of the schedule of your activity.
*Harmonious relationship with community
leaders and officers can almost ensure you of your safety in
their area. By relating well towards them, you can solicit
their support in your projects and activities. They may be
able to commit in providing security when you roam
around and familiarize yourself with the community.

7. Avoid bringing of
Secure documents like a letter of original
acceptance from the community, copies of signed documents in the
Memorandum of Agreement, etc. and other documents community. It is better to carry around
pertinent to your stay in the community. original and certified true copies of
documents to preventloss
and smudging the paper.
9. However sometimes,
community people could be insistent in
their hospitality in offering you
Bring your own personal provisions provisions like food. Try to gauge
like whether it would be offensive to refuse
water, snacks, and extra shirt. These will be their offer. If you think they will be
helpful to fill in those hunger pangs while conducting the offended if you beg off, you may
immersion. accept food or water in your plate or
Community people are often very glass but do not consume it. Especially
hospitable. They will most likely offer you their food and if you are not able to have as much
water if they see that you are unable to providefor background
yourself. This is despite that they might already be offering information on the
their last supply of food. Remember, you are there in the community you are
community to assess if you could help and work with them, immersing at, avoid
so try not to be an additional burden to them. consuming their resources
and focus on your work. This is also for
your own safety. *Whenever possible
and not offensive, decline and
tell

them respectfully rather that you

appreciate their hospitality.

During the Actual Community Immersion Period

 Avoid labelingand naming
9. 8. Be a courteous to everyone — whether to a people with politically
vendor or a community official. Remember that you are there to incorrect terms. Try to be more
work with the community. discreet in your use of words to avoid
offending other people.

11. Act properly and discreetly.

REPRESENTING YOUR SCHOOL AND YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS. Be
RESPONSIBLE WITH THE WORDS YOU SAY. Your actions and words
would easily be generalized as the behavior of every other student
in your school.
In one of our interviews with community
organizations, they alleged that some
schools wherein their previous students
have not shown proper behavior will no longer be welcome to
conduct immersion activities in their area.

10.Depending on the type of entry you use, (please see Do not show off in terms of dressing
page 50 on Phases of up. You are there in the community to
Community Immersion) wear proper help. Just bring an extra white t-shirt if
uniforms and identification card. This will you have to change your
allow the community to identify who are the soiled uniforms after your
trainees who will immerse in their activities.
community. This can also promote your Avoid drawing attention
school'simage as you become to
"ambassadors" for community service. Depending on the situation, yourself. Be low profile
there may be some cases wherein decent civilian clothes are more as
appropriate to wear during the immersion time especially if you are possible and avoid being
trying to be mass-based and less formal. identified s a guest
in the
community.
11. It is highly advised to keep your valuables Never bring out your
secured to protect you from unnecessary valuable things like
attracting and distracting community people, from possible thief, cellphones, jewelry and
etc. money in public places.
12.Always document your visit. Write in your
record notebook and have it checked by
your faculty-in-charge. Do not forget to write
the date, the narrative of important events
that happened and your reflection towards these.

13.Always ask for permission from concerned Never promise and commit
people when you have to take pictures. It isto a task that is beyond your and your
best to take pictures that show you "in school's capability. Never go beyond
action" and working with the community the activities stated in your MOA to
people as these can best illustrate your avoid false commitments and
experiences in the community. Again be dependency of the community
mindful of your surroundings and be careful

in bringing out valuables.

After community immersion
14.Validate and evaluate if the programs and activities were
conducted appropriately and as planned

15. Provide copies off your final documentation output to the

UNSTP Office and to the
community where you conducted your
immersion for records purposes.
Your documentation may serve as a
baseline study for the community and other
batches of NSTP students in conduction
community immersion. This will avoid unnecessary repetition of
activities and may be a basis for enhancement of other previously
conducted activities.

Most importantly, enjoy your time with the community people. Chiara Lubich said "To love always, at
once, and with joy" for "nothing is small if done out of love".

"Community immersion is vital to the development of the CWTS students' knowledge, skills values and
attitudes in realizing the penultimate ends of NSTP..." Dr. Florida C. Labuguen.