Students of New Al-Wurood and Al-Khozama explore nature

The students lined up barefoot to see rice cultivation in a water-filled paddy.

The scouts and guides of New Al-Wurood International School, Jeddah, and Al-Khozama International School, Dammam, recently undertook a trip to explore the nature in India. The Exploration Camp 2017 in Wayanad, India, was organized by Bharat Scouts and Guides, Saudi Arabia.
The students lined up barefoot to see rice cultivation in a water-filled paddy. The paddy cultivation experience came as part of community development program undertaken by Yuvajana Swasraya Sangham, a local group promoting sufficiency among youth.
A trekking trip to the picturesque Kuruva Island and multiple adventurous activities boosted camaraderie among the students. They had the chance to feel the local tribal life as they enjoyed the tribal culture, art, dance and music. The students also took part in the Rajyapuraskar test camp.
“We didn’t know exactly how we were going to do it. But it turned out to be a great experience and an excellent initiative to feel the mother earth and to show how to grow the crop and how much effort is made by farmers,” said a participating girl.
Another student said: “We learned three great lessons: The love of the earth and the environment, the value of the great efforts made by farmers in helping to feed the world, and the need to stop food wastage.”
Bino Mathew, secretary, Bharath Scouts and Guides, Saudi Arabia, said the children received firsthand experience of what they are learning in their textbooks.
Abdul Gafoor Irumban, coordinator from New Al-Wurood said: “Farming taught the students another vocation. Their whole experience was humbling. They went back happily and some of them even expressed their keenness to support farming and farmers in future.”
The scouts and guides of both schools have won the covetous Rashtrapati Puraskar (President’s award) — the highest honor in the field. Scouts and guides of both the schools also had the privilege of attending the International Jamboree in Japan. This global event gave the students the experience of friendship, leadership and memories that would last a lifetime.