We for India: A Platform crusading for the representation of social workers.
Coimbatore: From being a graduate in Master of Social Work to starting a platform for recognising the unrelenting work of social workers and their welfare, Pooja, an activist and Co-Founder of "We for India", an NGO by a team of Association of Young Professional Social Workers (AYPSW) from Ooty in the Nilgiris district, is now all set to crusade for the representation of young social workers.
Pooja believes social work is not about reaching out to the masses or garnering attention, its truly about standing up for the voiceless at the right time.
The unrelenting work by social workers from various fields had been monumental in solving many pressing issue like voicing for the oppressed.Sadly, the voices of such social workers are either neglected or undermined.
Recalling how she along with her friends gave life to "We for India", Pooja said "After an extensive research by myself and my friends from social work department, we unveiled the toil faced by social workers involved in various fields. The pay a heavy price for being a social worker. Like, repudiation of jobs and recognitions. During our interaction with social workers, they shared many hardships, both personally and professionally. Their stories sowed the seed for our project - "Association of Young Professional and Social Workers."
The journey of Association of Young Professional and Social Workers (AYPSW) established in 2020, began by conducting webinar’s under “Discussing the importance of social work books in the social work curriculum and practice, Social Enterprises In India : Policies , Changes & Trends, Addressing Anxiety & Enhancing Job Search Amidst Covid - 19.
"The intent was to reflect the voices of young social workers and echo their voices in advocacy for various policies related to the profession including decent pay, hierarchy-related issues etc. And, improve the fraternity's performance through capacity building, skills training & referrals", she added.
She briefed that AYPSW also organises online awareness sessions. Not to forget the social drives like meeting vulnerable community members like our visits to "Pudhu Vazhvu" de-addiction center and organise sessions for them on World Mental Health day.
Pooja added that, "Prior to this project, I've been involved in relief work, working towards women empowerment and rehabilitation for children, elders through health experts. Though, I had an exposure in this field, AYPSW has given me an opportunity to see the other side of social workers including NGO’s, which is aching and needs redressal."
She added, "Majority of the people taking social work come from lower economic strata, so the challenges they face are tougher. We for India - platform aims to bring change for such social workers and act as a representation of young social workers and to have their collective voice. And, also to motivate them by recognising their work in different setups and communities."
"We For India" foundation firmly believes that communities are the focal point of change as communities together form the Nation. We believe in bringing out the voices of the voiceless, vulnerable and marginalized community by advocating for their rights and by providing them with needed intervention to build a better community, she informed.
Professional social work interventions such as community building, counselling, mapping of resources, policy advocacy, among others are much-needed criterions to build a better India, believes Pooja who strongly believes her four-member team can definitely bring a change.
Pooja believes social work is not about reaching out to the masses or garnering attention, its truly about standing up for the voiceless at the right time.
The unrelenting work by social workers from various fields had been monumental in solving many pressing issue like voicing for the oppressed.Sadly, the voices of such social workers are either neglected or undermined.
Recalling how she along with her friends gave life to "We for India", Pooja said "After an extensive research by myself and my friends from social work department, we unveiled the toil faced by social workers involved in various fields. The pay a heavy price for being a social worker. Like, repudiation of jobs and recognitions. During our interaction with social workers, they shared many hardships, both personally and professionally. Their stories sowed the seed for our project - "Association of Young Professional and Social Workers."
The journey of Association of Young Professional and Social Workers (AYPSW) established in 2020, began by conducting webinar’s under “Discussing the importance of social work books in the social work curriculum and practice, Social Enterprises In India : Policies , Changes & Trends, Addressing Anxiety & Enhancing Job Search Amidst Covid - 19.
"The intent was to reflect the voices of young social workers and echo their voices in advocacy for various policies related to the profession including decent pay, hierarchy-related issues etc. And, improve the fraternity's performance through capacity building, skills training & referrals", she added.
She briefed that AYPSW also organises online awareness sessions. Not to forget the social drives like meeting vulnerable community members like our visits to "Pudhu Vazhvu" de-addiction center and organise sessions for them on World Mental Health day.
Pooja added that, "Prior to this project, I've been involved in relief work, working towards women empowerment and rehabilitation for children, elders through health experts. Though, I had an exposure in this field, AYPSW has given me an opportunity to see the other side of social workers including NGO’s, which is aching and needs redressal."
She added, "Majority of the people taking social work come from lower economic strata, so the challenges they face are tougher. We for India - platform aims to bring change for such social workers and act as a representation of young social workers and to have their collective voice. And, also to motivate them by recognising their work in different setups and communities."
"We For India" foundation firmly believes that communities are the focal point of change as communities together form the Nation. We believe in bringing out the voices of the voiceless, vulnerable and marginalized community by advocating for their rights and by providing them with needed intervention to build a better community, she informed.
Professional social work interventions such as community building, counselling, mapping of resources, policy advocacy, among others are much-needed criterions to build a better India, believes Pooja who strongly believes her four-member team can definitely bring a change.