Slum Area Visit with TRY NGO: Understanding Ground Reality Through Community Internship
Introduction
As part of my community internship with TRY NGO (www.tryngo.in), I got the opportunity to visit a slum area and interact closely with people living in marginalized communities. This NGO internship helped me move beyond books and online learning to experience real-life social challenges. The purpose of this visit was to understand ground realities, observe social issues at the grassroots level, and learn how NGOs work to bring change in society.
This social work internship experience allowed me to see how poverty, lack of education, and poor living conditions affect daily life. The visit was an eye-opening experience that changed my perspective about development and social responsibility.
About TRY NGO and My Role
TRY NGO (www.tryngo.in) is a non-profit organization working at the grassroots level for social development. The organization focuses on community welfare, awareness programs, and supporting underprivileged sections of society. During my community internship, I worked with volunteers to understand their approach toward community service.
My role during the slum area visit included observing living conditions, interacting with residents, and supporting awareness efforts related to cleanliness, education, and health. Even small interactions helped me realize the importance of empathy and communication in social work.
Field Experience: Observations from the Slum Area Visit
The slum area consisted of closely packed houses with limited space and basic facilities. Many families lived in one-room shelters with inadequate ventilation and sanitation. Clean drinking water and proper waste disposal were major challenges. Children were playing in narrow lanes, and some of them were not enrolled in regular schooling.
During conversations with residents, we learned that many adults worked as daily wage laborers with unstable income. Healthcare access was limited, and people often ignored minor illnesses due to financial constraints. The lack of awareness about hygiene and government welfare schemes was also visible.
The TRY NGO team interacted respectfully with community members and listened to their concerns. Volunteers explained the importance of education for children, basic hygiene practices, and community cleanliness. This experience showed how social work internships help bridge the gap between communities and support systems.
Key Social Issues Observed
During the visit, I observed several social issues that require long-term attention:
Poverty and unemployment: Irregular income affected nutrition, education, and healthcare access.
Education gaps: Many children lacked regular schooling due to financial and social constraints.
Health and sanitation issues: Poor sanitation and lack of clean water increased health risks.
Lack of awareness: Limited knowledge about government schemes and basic health practices.
These issues highlighted the importance of continuous community engagement by NGOs and volunteers.
Learnings from the Community Internship
This NGO internship taught me that social work is not just about charity; it is about understanding people’s lives and working patiently for change. I learned that:
Real change starts with listening to communities and respecting their experiences.
Small awareness efforts can create long-term positive impact.
Teamwork and consistency are essential in social work internships.
Field exposure builds empathy and practical understanding of social issues.
The visit helped me connect theory with practice and understand the challenges faced by NGOs at the grassroots level.
Impact of the Experience on My Perspective
Before this community internship, I viewed social issues from a distance. However, meeting people and seeing their daily struggles changed my outlook. I realized that development is not only about infrastructure but also about dignity, awareness, and access to basic services. This experience motivated me to contribute more actively to social causes and support NGOs like TRY NGO that work consistently for community development.
Conclusion
The slum area visit with TRY NGO was a meaningful part of my social work internship. It gave me practical exposure to real-life social challenges and helped me develop empathy and social responsibility. Such community internships play a vital role in shaping young people into responsible citizens who understand grassroots realities and are motivated to create positive change in society.
This blog is written as part of my Community Internship with TRY NGO (www.tryngo.in), a non-profit organization working at the grassroots level for social development.