CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNITY IMMERSION
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the lesson, the students must be able to:
1. Explain the concepts and principles underpinning community and community
immersion; 2. Realize the importance of understanding the-dynamics of a community and
community immersion as a way to realize the objectives of NSTP and
3. Practice the standard operating procedures and establish protocols governing community
immersion.
Students involved in community immersion must be knowledgeable on the basics of
community, i.e. its meaning, concepts, underpinning principles and nature of problems and -
issues there from. This will enable the trainees to have a good grasp of the local situation
thereby preparing them to appropriately respond to the multifarious concerns in the
community and properly carry out immersion projects and activities that is so conceived to
bring about long-term amelioration, and not just overnight, cosmetic solutions, of the social
menaces and ills.
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 thereat.
As per concept, a community may be categorized as geographical or functional.
The term geographical community is defined in the purview of group of persons living in the
same geographical location like in a certain village, town, neighborhood, district, area or
territory. Meanwhile, community is said to assume the functional nature if the aggregate of
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 are demographics, history, culture,
economy, and structures. The demographics (characteristics of population) tell a lot about the
movement of the population in the community that you will serve. History allows you to
identify certain patterns of change and people's way of adapting to these changes that can be
useful in 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 attractive. What kind of projects do you think you can do by learning this
information already? By experience, the students training in the NSTP would usually think of
enhancing the features of the merchandise covering -and the stalls itself 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.
WHY IS IMMERSION AN IMPORTANT APPROACH (STRATEGY) IN GIVING
SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITIES?
An old age says that "Experience I the best teacher". Going through the immersion
process and conducting community service activities/projects will enable the trainees to
understand how the 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
Page 1 of 5
 CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNITY IMMERSION
than many other and that the students can do something to improve the lives of the
marginalized and undeserved.
For as the Holy Scriptures 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 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 textbook 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 ads "what is the relevancy of the immersion part of
the NST Program?" and "why would trainees need to study the behavior of the people in and
that which composed the community of which 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 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".
WHAT IS COMMUNITY IMMERSION?
Community immersion 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. 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.
Community immersion in NSTP is devised as strategy in molding and
conscientizing students just so that they 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 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 in development work,
trainees may find it significant to be guided by the following precepts:
1. Trainees should immerse in actual community life to get to know the social, political and
economic situation of the people.
2. 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.
3. Trainees should identify the community people's interests and aspirations
4. 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.
5. Trainees should be aware of the gain-negotiated sanction- the acceptance derived from
community relations couples with the right to conduct immersion activities
6. 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.
Forms of Integration in Community Immersion:
1. Home visits
2. Living with selected families preferably with individuals or groups
3. Sharing in household and community activities (cooking with
the community host clean-up drive) 4. Attendance in social
gatherings (fiestas, weddings, etc)
5. Assistance in production work (selling, farming, etc)
WHOM DO YOU IMMERSE WITH IN THE COMMUNITY
When one goes to -a community, he associate 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, professionals, members of people's
organization 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 Confucious' philosophy of "give man a fish and he will live for a day; tech
Page 2 of 5
 CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNITY IMMERSION

him how to catch fish and he will live for a lifetime". Community immersion is empowering Succinctly, community immersion improves the trainees' understanding of himself
the people towards development of the locality. in relation to other and by understanding others, the trainees can be able to give a part of
himself top help others.
CONDITIONS THAT ONE MAY QUALIFY FOR COMMUNITY IMMERSION
Most important of all community immersion is in consistent with the innate and
ultimate intention of helping people.
It is so desired that one fundamental pre-requisite qualification among those who
intend or are tasked to undergo community immersion it a full understanding of the concepts
and theories behind the dynamics of groups and community. In the same breath, knowing the DONT'S IN COMMUNITY IMMERSION
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
It is a basic rule that trainees must be well-versed with the area, skilled to
managing community service projects among others.
communicate with community people and disciplined to keep yourself from responding
indifferently towards diverse types of personalities.
Volunteers in social organization and movements also undertake immersion. They
undergo professional training in development work. Such immersion typically proceeds to
Prudence, therefore, orders that community immersionists' must be well-informed
organizing work.
of the prescriptive and proscriptive norms in the conduct of community immersion.

As for NSTP, students enrolled in NSTP-CWTS 2 are mandated to undergo

Hereunder are guides prepared by Dr. Florida C. Labuguen and Ms. Emily Rose
community immersion for a period covering a minimum of 54 hours to a maximum of 90
M. Bautista in manuscript form entitled "Essential Protocols When Visiting Community".
hours from CHED prescribed Program of Instruction (POI), 2007 edition.
THINGS TO CONSIDER & REMEMBER THINGS TO AVOID
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 BEFORE THE CONDUCT OF COMMUNITY IMMERSION
following advantages:
1. Familiarize yourself with the basic information Never forget to inform and get
and theories regarding community life. At this the consent of your
GAIN OF NSTP-CWTS STUDENT FROM COMMUNITY IMMERSION
stage, you must at least have in your mind a parents/guardian about the
community you intend to immerse at. Ask, around activities lined up.
1. Opportunity for the trainees to comprehend peoples' lives because of the chance given to them for information about this community.
to see real life situation, live, identify and associate with the people therein;
2. Gain social acceptance derived from community relations coupled with the right to offer 2. Secure a waiver from the NSTP Office prior to the
services; visit and have it signed by your parents.
3. Enhance experiences in conducting asset mapping such as identifying geographic coverage,
point out resourced and the use, and the relationships of people with the existing 3. Always inform your faculty in-charge of your
resources; destination, time table and plan- of action.
4. Establish rapport and relationship with different people who may be of help to them at
some future time. 5. 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.
6. Acquire first-hand experiences in dealing with community works; and
7. Chance to learn life skills that will enrich and better their persons.

Page 3 of 5
 CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNITY IMMERSION
4. Be 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 barangays here in Manila
which are historically and primarily composed of
Pampanguenios. With this background information,
you can already assess that people in that
community mainly identify with Pampanguenios. To
facilitate your community activities promptly, you
can ask a fellow trainee who have deeper
understanding of the culture to led you on.
5. Pay courtesy call to community
leaders, 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.
Do not go directly to the 6. Secure documents like letter of
community without acceptance from the community.
determining the background Memorandum of Agreement etc., and
information about it. other documents pertinent to your stay in
the community.
7. Bring your own personal provision like
water, snacks and extra shirt. These will
be helpful to fill in those hunger pangs
while conducting the immersion.
Community people are often very
hospitable. They will most likely offer
you their food and water if they see that
you are unable to provide for yourself.
This is despite that they might already be
offering their last supply of food.
Remember, you are there in the
community to assess if you could help
and work with them, so try not be an
additional burden to them.
DURING THE ACTUAL COMMUNITY IMMERSION PERIOD
8. Be courteous to everyone – whether to
a vendor or a community official.
Remember that you are there to work
with the community.
9. Act promptly and discreetly. YOU ARE
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 student in your school.
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.
However sometimes, community people
could be insistent in their hospitality in
offering you provisions like food. Try to
gauge whether it would be offensive to
refuse their offer. If you think they will be
offended if you beg off, you may accept
food or water in your plate or glass but do
not consume it. Especially if you are not
able to has as much background
information on the community you are
immersing at, avoid 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.
Avoid labelling and naming people with
politically incorrect terms. Try to be more
discreet in your use of words to avoid
offending other people.
Page 4 of 5
 CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNITY IMMERSION

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, WEAR PROPER UNIFORMS AND
IDENTIFICATION CARD. This will
allow the community to identify who are
the trainees who will immerse in their
community. This can also promote your
school's image as you become
"ambassadors" for community service.
Depending on the situation, there may be
some cases wherein decent civilian
clothes are more appropriate to wear
during immersion time especially if you
are trying to be mass-based and less
formal.
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.
Avoid drawing attention to yourself. Be as
low profile as possible and avoid being
identified as a guest in the community.
careful in bringing out valuables. the community.
AFTER COMMUNITY IMMERSION
14. Validate and evaluate if the programs and
activities were conducted appropriately and as
planned.
15. Provide copies of your final documentations
output to the College National Service Training
Program Office (CNSTPO) 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 conducting community
immersion. This will avoid unnecessary repetition
of activities and may be a basis for enhancement of
other previously conducted activities.

11. It is highly advised to keep your valuables
secures to protect you from unnecessarily
attracting and distracting community people, from
possible theft, etc.
Most importantly, enjoy time with the community people. Mother Teresa puts it “Love
cannot remain by itself – it has no meaning. LOVE HAS TO BE PUT INTO ACTIONS;
AND THAT ACTION IS SERVICE
Never bring out you valuable
things like cellphones, jewelry
and 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 reflections towards these.

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

Page 5 of 5