Community Spirit Beyond the Rain: Lessons from Kewda Village

[Bappa Das]

On 10 July 2026, Suchana and the villagers of Kewda Adivasi Village jointly organized a Community Engagement Event aimed at strengthening community relationships, promoting village initiatives, and encouraging collective action for village development.

Despite continuous heavy rainfall throughout the day, around 350 participants from Govindapala, Shitalpur, Dumduma, Kewdaha, and Kamalakantapur villages joined the programme with great enthusiasm and commitment.

The event began with traditional Santali songs and

dances, followed by a welcome from the Village Manjhi Haram team. Friendly football matches involving five women's teams and four men's teams created excitement and encouraged participation, especially among girls and young women.

During the sharing sessions, community members presented their initiatives, including free tuition classes for adolescents, village cleanliness campaigns, dustbin making, and girls' football teams. Youth groups, mothers' groups, and village leaders shared their experiences, challenges, and future plans for their communities.

One of the most significant achievements of the programme was the strong sense of community ownership. Villagers prepared the playground, contributed food items including rice and fish, arranged facilities for participants, managed the programme, and ensured its smooth implementation despite challenging weather conditions.

  The event strengthened relationships among villages, encouraged peer learning, promoted Santali culture, and reinforced collaboration between Suchana and the communities. Most importantly, it demonstrated the community's ability to organize and lead collective action for 

local development The programme stands as an inspiring example of partnership, resilience, and community leadership in action.

[Ashish]

Wow..great event, specially football match between girls and young women,,dustbin making is too inpired..you all are rocking,collective action for local development sounds cool..Best wishesh