What every student, or perhaps, even potential students, of the University for Development Studies are often aware of, is that in their first and second years at the University, they would be required to take part in the mandatory Third Trimester Field Practical Programme.

The Third Trimester Field Practical Program is a programme that makes UDS unique. It aims at giving students the opportunity to have first-hand, practical experience of development challenges within rural communities and offering them the chance to proffer solutions to those challenges. 

Having already seen off the first batch of second year students into various communities around the country to serve, the University Relations Office has been in touch with some of the students in the communities to find out how they are faring.

Many of the students are excited at the fact that they already feel as though they were professional development and social workers who had been sent to serve their country. Others hold the view that the experience they have gathered so far, has changed their mind set regarding rural areas and that should they be posted to rural areas after their graduation to either work or do their national service, they will not hesitate to accept the postings.

A second-year student of the Faculty of Communication and Cultural Studies (FCCS) Yahya Abdul Wahab is currently serving within the Anwiam community in the Asunafo South District of the Ahafo Region. He says, unlike their seniors who had the experience of serving in communities in both their first and second years, this was their first time because the COVID-19 pandemic made it impossible for his year group to experience the much talked about TTFPP.

He says he so much looked forward to the trip that on the eve of their departure, he could barely sleep. The trip to their communities was a fun and memorable one for him but a bit stressful because of the loading and offloading of their luggage, which in itself was a huge experience which helped him to appreciate the stress rural dwellers go through when they travel.

He says, when they arrived at the community, they received an overwhelmingly warm welcome from the community members so much so that, they felt at home.

Mr Abdul Wahab says so far, he has engaged the community members in a number of projects including “helping in data collection, teaching community members basic skills in writing, and writing a proposal for my group work.” He says almost all the students who are serving within the Anwiam community are so happy that some are even calling for an extension of their stay.

He also talked about his unique experience of using “Okada” for the first time. “I used to condemn people who ride these motorbikes. But having lived here for sometimes, I have come to realize that due to the lack of good roads, not many vehicles are available for the community members to commute. They are therefore left with no other choice, but to rely on Okada”.

The story has not been all rosy and well for Mr. Abdul Wahab and his colleagues. There have been a few low moments too at Anwiam. He recalls how his inability to speak the local dialect is impeding his work. This problem is further compounded by the fact that many of the community members too have no proficiency in English. However, he says, this has inspired him to start learning the language. 

So far some of the major problems he and his colleagues have identified in the communities within which they are serving include lack of access to good healcare delievery, inadequate farming tools for farmers in the community and lack of market centres. He says together with the community members, they will co-create solutions to the problems they have identified by helping to draw the attention of the government and other Non-governmental Organizations and Civil Society Organizations to these problems and helping to appeal to these agencies for support.

Mr. Wahab concludes “I am glad I am making an impact in the lives of the people at Anwiam community. My TTFPP period has so far been a great experience”.

Story by: Sadia Abdul Samii (University Relations)