A 5-days Residential Camp was organized by the Xaverians in Action for Change (XAC) for 33 enthusiastic students of St. Xavier's University, Kolkata during this Puja Vacation. The campers from various undergraduate courses stayed at the University Campus from 26th to 30th October 2018. They visited 4 nearby villages namely Dharmatala - Pachuria, Kulberia and Kathalberia to empower more than 150 village kids by imparting quality education.

The camp was inaugurated by the Registrar, Prof. Ashis Mitra on 26th October and the campers organised a March to the villages to spread awareness about the importance of quality education and how the university students could contribute to empower them through Education. The young students carried out home visits to assess the needs of the villages and their kids. The kids from the above-mentioned villages showed immense interests as they were taught English, Math, Drawing, Art & Crafts, and Dance by the Xaverians. The whole exercise brought a new ray of hope for the village students and the villagers that they can transform their lives through quality education.

A history was created during this camp as the University opened its gates for the village youth whereby 30 youth from these local villages came to the University Campus for Spoken-English Classes. The village youth felt that this rare opportunity will change their lives as they would be confident and more competent to secure jobs when they complete their education.

The campers were instrumental in fulfilling our Vice Chancellor, Rev. Dr. J. Felix Raj's dream to adopt local villages and empower them via imparting 'Quality Education'. During the concluding ceremony on 30.10.2018, the campers openly shared their enriching experiences and learning which they acquired during the camp. They shared that this experience helped them transform their own lives and took a pledge to help others. The energetic campers were so inspired that they took a pledge to continue this noble journey of teaching the village kids once the University reopens after the Puja Vacation. They have made an action plan for a year.

Thanks to Mr. Paritosh Majumdar and his team of teachers and students for organizing the camp. The Xaverian Action for Change will continue to empower the village students for their bright future.