Seeta Dalloo, a student representative at the University of Guyana said, “Some persons see the Social Work course as a stepping stone for other careers. At one point in my life it was just that; a means of getting into the Law programme.

However, that changed with just one year of me being a social work student. I learned so much more than I bargained for in this programme; the reality of the world that we live in, the injustice and challenges individuals face, and the complexity of society and how it affects us as social beings.

” She continued by saying, “Becoming aware of these challenges made me realise the need for advocates for the voiceless; enablers for those in need, but more importantly, the need for social workers to possess the competencies necessary to effectively work with their clients. It is one thing to want to be the change but it’s another thing to have the tools necessary to actually make that change happen and I believe social work is the foundation of that change.”

I am a second-year social work student at the University of Guyana (Berbice Campus). While Tuesday, March 19 was probably a normal day for most of you, it wasn’t for me, other social students and social workers in practice. It was World Social Work Day. Let’s take a step back and imagine a world where the profession of social work did not exist. A world without counsellors, welfare officers, probation officers, child protection officers, psychiatric social workers, hospice social workers, policymakers who are social workers; where would we have been as a people?

Social work and its history can be traced back to the Colonial days when England first released the Elizabethan Poor Relief Act in 1601. During those days, the works and policies of this law excluded African slaves, vagrants and abled-body persons. It catered mostly for the ‘disabled’ and elderly folks. As time progressed into the era of war, ‘social work’ was then transformed into voluntary work. Services were provided through the Church of England and the Salvation Army. After World War II, these voluntary practices were paired with theories and guidelines to form the profession we know as social work today.

While that was the history of Social Work, it still does not prove why it’s important to us here in Guyana. Lauriston Choy, a former Valedictorian of the University of Guyana and also a current Child Protection Officer; Mr. Lauriston Choy explains the importance of Social Work in his own words: “Social Work is an integral profession that ensures the social development of any country. Social Work is important in Guyana and the Caribbean because the profession addresses severe areas that affect the human resources of our country and region at large. Individuals make up a community and communities, a country.

If the individuals are affected with social issues then the effects of such will affect every sector of society. Social Work addresses various forms of social injustice. It provides a platform for the voiceless and the downtrodden; it empowers those who feel less of a human, and importantly it is the vehicle that enforces rights for all humans. Social Work is key to having a socially and mentally healthy country and region.

As a practising Social Worker, I would advise anyone wishing to be part of this noble profession to first understand that there are no financial gains; one must possess the basic qualities of empathy, compassion, patience and a desire to help persons to become all that they can be. Social Work is not a glorified profession, however, it brings the most humble and caring network of professional helpers. Secondly, ensure that you have a degree in social work from a recognised university, and have an open mind about social issues.”

The University of Guyana offers a Degree in Social Work and recently introduced the Masters’ Programme to the Guyanese population. Our world is constantly hurting with social issues and injustices. Social workers are the people who help to put a plaster and patiently help to heal societies.

Together they all work to heal the world. Social Work is important because the people of the world and their well-being and welfare are important. Social workers bridge the gaps between our people and policies, between social relationships and even between people and their personal issues. From the Micro, Meso and Macro levels of society, there will always be a social worker to help you through your darkest times with the use of professionalism, confidentiality, empathy, and compassion.

Lastly, while social work is important to the world, it is important that my fellow social workers take care of yourself first before you do so to others. All in all, “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,” said Mahatma Gandhi.