Social workers recount their passion for positive change
Toti and Kingsburgh child welfare thank their communities for their generosity.
TO celebrate World Social Work Day on Tuesday, 17 March, social workers of Amanzimtoti and Kingsburgh child and family welfare societies got together to talk about the role they play in uplifting their respective communities.
The theme was ‘promoting the dignity and worth of peoples’. Both welfare organisations provide essential services to families who are unable to help themselves and equip people with skills to be able to help themselves.
“The day is to acknowledge social workers as essential agents of positive change, promote human dignity and to make the voices of children heard,” said social work manager at Toti Welfare, Poovan Naidoo.
Social work is in Poovan’s blood as she has worked in the field for some 20 years. “I want to help and empower people, more to help people help themselves.”
She is particularly passionate about protecting vulnerable and orphaned children. “It becomes a fulfilling profession when I see positive change. Often, I first see children as babies and it’s amazing when they come into my office as they are growing up and greet me, ‘hello aunty or mama’.”
Toti Welfare renders support to families by promoting placement of children among family, skills development, income generation and the provision of food parcels which are supplied by Amanzimtoti Lions Club and bread by Debonairs Amanzimtoti and Galleria.
Poovan thanked the community for its ongoing support. “There are good and generous people in the community, without their support we cannot deliver quality service.”
Kingsburgh Welfare’s senior social worker, Sandra Govender is just as passionate about her chosen profession. “Initially I wanted to be a teacher, but circumstances prevented me from pursuing it. As I wanted to help people, my next choice was social work.”
She has been in the field for 22 years, of which 20 years have been at Kingsburgh Welfare. “Over the years it has been rewarding to see people change, grow and attain their goals. It has also been good to see young children reunited with their families and foster children grow up into productive adults.”
“The job can be emotionally draining and is challenging at times, but you get back in and do what needs to be done.
Sandra thanked the community for their support over the years.
