Social Workers around the world are gathering annually on the third Tuesday in March, to celebrate World Social Work Day. This year the IFSW (International Federation of Social Workers) invited social workers all over the world to celebrate World Social Work Day on 19 March 2013 under the theme “Promoting Social and Economic Equalities”. Social work has a critical role in the promotion of social and economic equalities and in striving for a people-focused and regulated economy. World Social Work Day is the annual opportunity to advocate a social work perspective in political systems that affect the wellbeing of people and to celebrate the social work contribution to societies.Air Jordan
The Provincial Social Workers spend their special day, celebrated on 18 March 2013, by engaging in a blitz door-to-door in the impoverished “Haak-&-Steek” community of Barkly West, under the guidance of the HOD, Mrs. Elizabeth Botes. Some of the problems identified were: households with no income at all, which leave the inhabitants to live like beggars; the need for social relief in the form of food parcels; a child that are suffering from epileptic fits, whose parents failed to take him to the clinic, etc. In closure HOD commented that it is sad that people accept their poverty as a given and do not reach out for assistance.
Thereafter they moved on to the Jannie Roux Children’s Home, where they enjoyed some refreshments with the staff of the Children’s’ Home. Ds. Frans Hugo, from the Jannie Roux Children’s’ Home Board, shared their experiences and thanks for the support of the Department during the difficult time of adjustment, after the closure of Kestell Children’s’ Home and the transfer of the children and staff to the Jannie Roux Children’s’ Home.
The Keynote address was delivered by the HOD, who highlighted that Social Work is a very vast field of work, where you could not always see tangible results. She thanked all those that deliver services to the communities, especially the vulnerable, and honoured the staff that delivers services the broken children of the Home, whether they are the Social Workers, the Laundry Aid or the Cleaners; as they all play a role in the bigger picture of “service to the people”. Mrs. Botes also thanked the staff for all their sacrifices during the adjustment period. She motivated them to see their work with these children as an investment and that they must think carefully what they say to the children and regard them as their own.
After this “heart massage” session, as described by Mr. Donald Whitebooi the Programme Manager, the Departmental Social Workers moved onto the Good Hope Game Reserve. Here they enjoyed a game drive, where they were so fortunately to see a family of rhinos, some blue wildebeest and bucks. The end of this day was celebrated with lunch in the form of a braai, with pap, salads and dessert, fruit and ice-cream!
WE SALUTE ALL SOCIAL WORKERS! Those in government and in private practice. Registered Social Workers and those still studying.
Issued by:
Nelmarie van Wyk
Senior Administrative Officer
Communication
Department of Social Development
Northern Cape
Tel: 053 - 831 4041
Fax2e-mail: 086 63 666 58
Cell: 079 875 0849