Lakefield social worker aims to make a difference

Balancing everyday life is not easy for any person, but it is Women’s Month, so the City Times spoke to several women who chose to make a difference with or without acknowledgement.  Kamsilla Ramdaw is one of the women who balances having a full-time job while being a mom and wife. In a Q and A with the City Times, the Lakefield resident explained her choices and how she tries to excel in all areas of her life.

How do you cope with being a mom, wife and working woman?

I try to balance my career and my personal life. Social work is a challenging and stressful profession. However, I work with an amazing team at the Greater Benoni Child Welfare. I am able to rely on my colleagues for support or just to have a good laugh. Being a full-time working mum, I sometimes feel I miss out on precious moments with my children. When I am with my children, they have my undivided attention and I cherish every moment with them. I have a supportive husband, whom I can always rely on. Because of the great support structure at work and at home, I am able to have an ideal work/life balance.

Why did you choose to become a social worker?

Choose a job you love and youll never have to work a day in your life (Confucius). I have always had a passion for working with people. In the social work profession, I am able to support, guide and assist individuals, families and communities during times of need. To me, there is no greater reward then knowing I have helped in some way to make another person’s life better or help them overcome a challenge in their life.

What kind of social work do you do?

I am employed by the local welfare, where I provide child protection services and manage Colin House Child and Youth Care Centre (CYCC), which is a temporary safe care facility for abused, neglected and abandoned children. Not only does the CYCC provide a safe haven for these children, but their emotional, physical and educational needs are also catered for. While children are placed at Colin House, the staff and I ensure that all the children’s needs are met.

What do you think is the most emotional part about being a social worker?

Seeing children being abused and abandoned in our communities, sometimes by the very people who are supposed to love and protect them. I experience a sense of fulfilment knowing that I am able to have a positive impact on the lives of the children and families that I assist on a daily basis.

How would you encourage other women to stay strong in who they are?

Women should stand up for and empower one another to succeed and excel in every aspect of their lives. Women should be more understanding, as we share similar challenges and can lean on one another for support. Everyone should have that special person they can rely on. For me, that special person is my mum. My mum is the strong woman in my life. She has taught me the value of perseverance and the importance of being an independent woman. We should be a pillar of strength for one another and together we can make our communities stronger, opening doors for the next generation of women.

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