This is according to Dr Elmien Truter, a professional social worker and lecturer in the North-West University’s (NWU’s) School of Psychosocial Health, after the recent Social Work Projects Day hosted on the campus in Vanderbijlpark.
The aim of the day was to grant final-year social work students the opportunity to present the work they did in different communities during their mandatory internship training. This year, the students conducted their internships at, amongst others: NICRO Vereeniging, Girls and Boys Town, NICRO Soweto, NG Welfare, SAVF Heidelberg, DSD Sebokeng, DSD Bethlehem, Emfuleni Shelter for Boys and Catherine Robson in Vereeniging.
According to Dr Truter the students’ presentations encapsulated not only community work interventions, but also case work and research projects. A panel of experts within the field of social work – be it as an academic scholar or a practicing professional, evaluated each presentation and the impact it had on the respective communities.
“There really is no substituting the quality of learning that is achieved by actually being immersed in the realities of the work being studied,” says Dr Truter and explains that although it likely applies to all fields of work, it becomes more important when working in a caring profession that involves the complexities and responsibilities of working with human beings, as a human being.
“As rewarding as social work can be, the role comes with a fair amount of challenges,” says Dr Truter and adds that by sharing their experiences and encounters the students are being prepared for the world of work. She says that when students reflect on the impact of their contributions to a community, they also experience a sense of emotional satisfaction which serves as a motivator for continuing service and support to vulnerable groups.
One of the students, Carol Ankiewicz, explaining the impact of her Sanitary Dignity Kits Project.
Dr Elmien Truter and Dr Johan Steytler – both from the School of Psychosocial Health, busy evaluating the students’ presentations.
