The Recreation Project

Funny how we started a few weeks ago and the course is fast coming to an end. Needless to say, if there is anything worth writing home about, then I believe the whole nitty gritty of what transpired needs to jotted down. This will surely go down as one of the best decisions I have ever made to participate in the course. So allow me to take you through much of the different activities we have gone through so far 

The Recreation Project

It was Thursday, 5^th January, 2017 when we woke up to a bright sunny morning. The temperatures fast rising and I was left wondering what the Recreation project was all about. Uncertain as I was, I just had no option but rather follow on the bandwagon. Was it the first project we were to start working on? Going by the name, perhaps it had something to do with fun? Curiosity got the better part of me when I discovered that we trudged through a small pathway with both sides of the pathway covered by grass. Moments later, alas, there in front of us was a beaming sign of the Recreation Project clutched in between two trees. The freshness of nature greeted my soul as we entered this beautifully festooned recreational space, I will call it. I was not alone in appreciating the calmness, quietness and serenity of the environment. All friends that had arrived here for their first time could attest to this.

We later split into groups of about ten members and were tasked to do a number of fun activities. Learning in a fun way is usually one way that ingrains the content learnt into the very core of understanding. I must say there have been a couple of times I have learnt about teamwork in different settings and how it is key in working to achieving common goals in a group or an organization. However, no such learning can near this experiential learning that was so practical, fun filled and real. I am sure even 10 years after this course, the significance of teamwork in partnerships will be as vivid as never before. When I hear, I forget; when I see, I remember; when I do, I understand, it is often said. Indeed, by getting involved in the various group game activities, the values of teamwork in the greater success of our work could not be over emphasized. Through this approach, we were able to appreciate how to tap into the strengths and weaknesses of each individual in a team, the importance of effective communication, flexibility, strategic planning, oversight, respect for one another and contribution each member brings to a team regardless of their positions.

The day was well spent as it further enabled us to even get to know each other better in the spirit of togetherness through the fun activities. In my earlier blog, I did mention that SocMed works on the principle of praxis, the personal and partnership. I am now certain that the Recreation Project Learning indeed drove the message home of the relevance of partnerships in bringing about the much needed social justice and health equity. Teamwork even goes beyond what the course focusses on, into our daily lives as we interact with people in our various work environments, if there is a model of learning that has been resourceful, the experiential learning at the recreation project was one of such I would not hesitate to recommend to any group to try out and see the benefits.