Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Thursday, October 13, 2011
OH MY FELLOW HUMANS..!!! WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU..? READ THIS.!!! YOU REALISE THAT.!!!
OH! MY MOTHER! HOW CAN I THANK YOU FOR YOUR MILK,FOOD,CLOTHS,PROTECTION &LOVE IN NEED!
OH! MY FATHER! HOW CAN I THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING ME EDUCATION,GUIDANCE,ADVICE AS YOUNG!
OH MY SISTERS &BROTHER! HOW CAN I THANK YOU FOR YOUR AFFECTION,TRUE CRITISM &HAPPINESS!
OH MY WIFE! HOW CAN I THANK YOU FOR YOUR AFFECTION,CARE,PROTECTION,TOLERANCE&TASTY FOOD
OH MY CHILDREN! HOW CAN I THANK YOU FOR YOUR LAUGHTER,PROGRESS,AFFECTION & COURTECY!
OH MY UNCLES & AUNTS! HOW CAN I THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVICE,LAUGHTER,FRIENDLINESS&SMILES!
OH MY GRAND-PARENTS! HOW CAN I THANK YOU FOR YOUR
WISDOM,AFFECTION,COMPASSION & PROTECTION!
OH MY FRIENDS &RELATIVES! HOW CAN I THANK YOU FOR
YOUR JOKES,LAUGHTER,HOSPTALITY & SMILE!
OH MY POLITICAL,RELIGIOUS,SOCIAL,SPRITUAL,MENTORS!
HOW CAN I THANK YOU FOR YOUR COURAGE!
OH MY VILLAGE! HOW CAN I THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVELY
NATURE,GREEN VIEWS & LOVELY TEMPLES!
OH MY JAFFNA! HOW CAN I THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT-HISTORY,EDUCATION,CULTURE&HOSPITALITY!
OH MY LANKA!HOW CAN I THANK YOU FOR YOUR
NATURAL-BEAUTY,SEA,NICE FOOD & WARM CLIMATE!
OH MY NORWAY! HOW CAN I THANK YOU FOR GIVING
ME&MY FAMILY PROTECTION,SAFETY,LIFE& CARE!
OH MY WORLD!HOW CAN I THANK YOU FOR YOUR REGULAR DAY&NIGHT;
SUMMER&WINTER CYCLE SAFELY!
OH MY SUN!HOW CAN I THANK YOU FOR LIGHT/HEAT FOR ALL!NOT COME CLOSER OR GO FAR AWAY!
OH MY UNIVERSE!HOW CAN I THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING HARMONY!NOT DESTROYING LOVELY WORLD!
OH MY GOD!HOW CAN I THANK YOU FOR THIS LOVELY WORLD/UNIVERSE&MY HEART WORKING SO FAR!
SHAN NALLIAH...DRAMMEN, NORWAY 13-10-2011
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
2010 – உலகின் தலை சிறந்த ஹீரோ ஒரு தமிழன்
2010 – உலகின் தலை சிறந்த ஹீரோ ஒரு தமிழன்திரைப்படங்களை ரசியுங்கள் ரசிகர்களே. அதில் உங்கள் ஹீரோ செய்வதெல்லாம் நிஜம் என்று மட்டும் நம்பி விடவேண்டாம். உண்மையான ஹீரோ உங்கள் பகுதியில் நேர்மையாகவும், தியாக உணர்வோடும் , சேவை மனப்பான்யுடனும் , துணிவுடனும் உழைத்துகொண்டிருப்பார்கள் ஒரு ராணுவ வீரராக , தீயணைப்பு வீரராக, காவல் துறை அதிகாரியாக, ஆசிரியாராக, சமுக சேவகராக, துப்புரவு தொழிலாளியாக மற்றும் நேர்மையாக உழைத்து சம்பாதிக்கும் எவருமாக இருக்கலாம். அவர்களை சந்திக்கும் சமயத்தில் ஒரு நன்றி சொல்வோம் , பாராட்டுவோம். அவர்களில் யாரேனும் கவுன்சிலர் தேர்தலில் நிற்கக்கூடும். நின்றால் காசுக்கு ஆசைபடாமல் ஒட்டு போடுவோம்.இப்போது அப்படி ஒரு நிஜமான ஹீரோவை உங்களுக்கு இந்த பதிவின் வாயிலாக அறிமுகபடுத்துகிறேன். இவர் உலகப்புகழ் பெற்ற CNN இணையதளத்தில் உலகின் தலை சிறந்த ரியல் ஹீரோக்களில் முதல் பத்தில் ஒருவராக தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டு உள்ளார். ஒரு தமிழனாக, மதுரைகாரனாக ரெம்பவும் பெருமை படுகிறேன். இன்னும் வாக்கு பதிவு நடந்து கொண்டிருகிறது. இதில் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்படும் ஹீரோக்கள் அமெரிக்காவில் நவம்பர் மாதம் 25 ஆம் தேதியில் Shrine ஆடிடோரியம், Los Angeles இல் நடக்கும் ஒரு பெரும் விழாவில் கௌரவிக்க பட இருக்கிறார்கள். இது CNN தொலைகாட்சியில் இந்திய நேரம் காலை எட்டு மணி ( நமக்கு நவம்பர் 26 ஆம் தேதி ) உலகம் முழுக்க நேரலை ஒளிபரப்பில் காட்டப்பட இருக்கிறது. இதற்காக நாம் ஒவ்வொரு இந்தியனும், தமிழனும் பெருமை பட வேண்டும். ஆஸ்கார் சாதனையை விட இது தான் மகத்தான சாதனை.பெயர் : நாராயணன் கிருஷ்ணன்
வயது : 29
இருப்பு : மதுரைஅப்படி என்ன செய்து விட்டார்?
அது நினைத்துபார்கவும் முடியாத கருணை செயல்.தான் யார் என்றே அறியாத சித்த சுவாதீனம் கொண்ட மனிதர்களை நாம் சிறு கருணையுடனும் அல்லது கொஞ்சம் அருவருப்புடனும் கடந்து செல்வோம். சில சமயம் காசு போடுவோம். அதற்கும் மேல் என்ன செய்வோம்? அதை மறக்க முயற்சிப்போம். ஆனால் இவர் அவர்களை தேடி சென்று தினமும் மூன்று வேளை உணவு தருகிறார். அருவருப்பில்லாமல் ஊட்டி விடுகிறார்.கடந்த எட்டு வருடங்களாக ஒரு நாள் தவறாமல் இந்த சேவையை இவர் தொடர்ந்து செய்து வருகிறார். மழை, புயல்,தேர்தல்,கலவரம், பந்த் என்று எதுவும் பாராமல் வருடம் முழுக்க இந்த சேவையை செய்து வருகிறார். தினமும் 400 பேருக்கு மூன்று வேளை உணவு என்பது சாதாரணம் இல்லை. இது வரை ஒரு கோடியே இருபது லட்சம் உணவு பொட்டலங்கள் விநியோகிக்கபட்டுள்ளது. ஒரு ஐந்து நட்சத்திர ஹோட்டலில் வேலை பார்த்த, விருதுகள் வென்ற செப் சமையல் கலை வல்லுநர் இவர். சுவிட்சர்லாந்தில் ஒரு பெரிய ஹோட்டல் நிறுவனத்தில் வேலை கிடைத்தவுடன் அதை பெற்றோர்களிடம் சொல்லிவிட்டு போவதற்காக மதுரைக்கு வந்தவர் அங்கே ஒரு வயது முதிர்ந்த ஒரு கிழவர் மலத்தை உணவாக உண்ணும் அவலத்தை கண்டு பெரும் அதிர்ச்சிக்குள்ளாகி தனது வெளிநாட்டு வேலையை துறந்து மதுரையிலேயே தங்கி வீட்டில் சமைத்து அதை இது போன்ற மனிதர்களை தேடி சென்று உணவு கொடுக்க ஆரம்பிக்கிறார். இது நடந்தது 2002 . இன்றும் இவரது சேவை தொடர்கிறது மதுரையை சுற்றி நூறு கிலோமீட்டர் பரப்பளவில் கண்ணில் படும் இதுபோன்ற மனிதர்களை தேடிபிடித்து உணவு தருகிறார். இதற்காக இவர் தன்னுடைய வாழ்கையை முழுமையாக அர்பணித்துள்ளார். இவரது அன்னை இவர் குறித்து கவலை பட்டு அழுதபோது, “அம்மா ஒரு நாள் என்னோடு வாங்க. நான் என்ன செய்கிறேன் என்று பாருங்கள் அப்புறம் நீங்கள் சொல்வதை கேட்கிறேன்” என்று சொல்லி அழைத்து போயிருக்கிறார். இவரது சேவையை கண்டு மனம் உருகிய அந்த தாய் ” நீ இவர்களை பார்த்துக்கொள், நான் உள்ளவரை உன்னை பார்த்துகொள்கிறேன்” என்று சொல்லிருக்கிறார். இதை படித்த போது என் கண்களில் நீர் முட்டிக்கொண்டு வந்ததை அடக்க முடியாமல் தவித்தேன். எழுதும் இந்த கணமும் கூட. நாம் இங்கே நம்மை ஏமாற்றும் திரை நட்சத்திரங்களை ஹீரோ என்று சொல்லி தலையில் வைத்து கொண்டாடுகிறோம். பாலபிசேகம் முதல் முளைப்பாரி வரை எண்ணற்ற பைத்தியகாரத்தனத்தை அந்த ஹீரோக்களுக்காக செய்கிறோம். முதல் நாள் அவர்கள் படங்களை பார்க்க ஆயிரம், இரண்டாயிரம் செலவழிக்க தயங்குவதில்லை. சரி கொடுகிரீர்கள் அந்த அளவுக்கு உரித்தான கலைபடைப்பையாவது அவர்கள் தருகிறார்களா? அவர்கள் என்ன செய்தார்கள். நானும் கொடை செய்கிறேன் என்று சொல்லி சிலவற்றை செய்து பத்திரிகைகளில் மறக்காமல் செய்தி கொடுக்கிறார்கள். அவர்கள் இவரின் கால் தூசுக்கு கூட பொருந்த மாட்டார்கள். இவர் தான் உண்மையான ஹீரோ. சாகசம் செய்வது சாதனை அல்ல. இல்லாதவர்க்கு தேடிசென்று ஈவதே சாதனை. எனக்கு இவர் தான் என்றென்றும் ஹீரோ. இவரை பார்க்கவும், இவருடன் புகைப்படம் எடுத்துகொள்ளவும், இவருடன் ஒரு நாள் இருந்து சிறு உதவியேனும் செய்யவும், பொருள் உதவி செய்யவும், இவரை பற்றி எழுதவும் பேசவும் பெரும் ஆவல் கொள்கிறேன், பெரும் பெருமை கொள்கிறேன் எனது ஹீரோ ஒரு மகத்தானவன் என்பதில்.அற்றார் அழிபசி தீர்த்தல் அஃதொருவன்
பெற்றான் பொருள்வைப் புழி.ஏதும் இல்லாதவரின் கடும்பசியைத் தீர்த்து வையுங்கள். பொருளைப் பெற்றவன் சேமித்து வைக்கும் இடம் அதுவே.ஆதலால் நீங்கள் சேர்த்துவைக்க இடம்
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இதுவரை இந்த பெருமைக்குரிய விஷயம் பத்திரிக்கைகளில் பரவலாக வரவில்லை என்பது பெருத்த வேதனை மட்டுமல்ல ஒரு தமிழனாக நம் எல்லோருக்கும் அவமானம். இதை பதிவர்கள் எல்லோரும் கொண்டு சேர்க்க வேண்டுமாய் தாழ்மையுடன் கேட்டுகொள்கிறேன்
வயது : 29
இருப்பு : மதுரைஅப்படி என்ன செய்து விட்டார்?
அது நினைத்துபார்கவும் முடியாத கருணை செயல்.தான் யார் என்றே அறியாத சித்த சுவாதீனம் கொண்ட மனிதர்களை நாம் சிறு கருணையுடனும் அல்லது கொஞ்சம் அருவருப்புடனும் கடந்து செல்வோம். சில சமயம் காசு போடுவோம். அதற்கும் மேல் என்ன செய்வோம்? அதை மறக்க முயற்சிப்போம். ஆனால் இவர் அவர்களை தேடி சென்று தினமும் மூன்று வேளை உணவு தருகிறார். அருவருப்பில்லாமல் ஊட்டி விடுகிறார்.கடந்த எட்டு வருடங்களாக ஒரு நாள் தவறாமல் இந்த சேவையை இவர் தொடர்ந்து செய்து வருகிறார். மழை, புயல்,தேர்தல்,கலவரம், பந்த் என்று எதுவும் பாராமல் வருடம் முழுக்க இந்த சேவையை செய்து வருகிறார். தினமும் 400 பேருக்கு மூன்று வேளை உணவு என்பது சாதாரணம் இல்லை. இது வரை ஒரு கோடியே இருபது லட்சம் உணவு பொட்டலங்கள் விநியோகிக்கபட்டுள்ளது. ஒரு ஐந்து நட்சத்திர ஹோட்டலில் வேலை பார்த்த, விருதுகள் வென்ற செப் சமையல் கலை வல்லுநர் இவர். சுவிட்சர்லாந்தில் ஒரு பெரிய ஹோட்டல் நிறுவனத்தில் வேலை கிடைத்தவுடன் அதை பெற்றோர்களிடம் சொல்லிவிட்டு போவதற்காக மதுரைக்கு வந்தவர் அங்கே ஒரு வயது முதிர்ந்த ஒரு கிழவர் மலத்தை உணவாக உண்ணும் அவலத்தை கண்டு பெரும் அதிர்ச்சிக்குள்ளாகி தனது வெளிநாட்டு வேலையை துறந்து மதுரையிலேயே தங்கி வீட்டில் சமைத்து அதை இது போன்ற மனிதர்களை தேடி சென்று உணவு கொடுக்க ஆரம்பிக்கிறார். இது நடந்தது 2002 . இன்றும் இவரது சேவை தொடர்கிறது மதுரையை சுற்றி நூறு கிலோமீட்டர் பரப்பளவில் கண்ணில் படும் இதுபோன்ற மனிதர்களை தேடிபிடித்து உணவு தருகிறார். இதற்காக இவர் தன்னுடைய வாழ்கையை முழுமையாக அர்பணித்துள்ளார். இவரது அன்னை இவர் குறித்து கவலை பட்டு அழுதபோது, “அம்மா ஒரு நாள் என்னோடு வாங்க. நான் என்ன செய்கிறேன் என்று பாருங்கள் அப்புறம் நீங்கள் சொல்வதை கேட்கிறேன்” என்று சொல்லி அழைத்து போயிருக்கிறார். இவரது சேவையை கண்டு மனம் உருகிய அந்த தாய் ” நீ இவர்களை பார்த்துக்கொள், நான் உள்ளவரை உன்னை பார்த்துகொள்கிறேன்” என்று சொல்லிருக்கிறார். இதை படித்த போது என் கண்களில் நீர் முட்டிக்கொண்டு வந்ததை அடக்க முடியாமல் தவித்தேன். எழுதும் இந்த கணமும் கூட. நாம் இங்கே நம்மை ஏமாற்றும் திரை நட்சத்திரங்களை ஹீரோ என்று சொல்லி தலையில் வைத்து கொண்டாடுகிறோம். பாலபிசேகம் முதல் முளைப்பாரி வரை எண்ணற்ற பைத்தியகாரத்தனத்தை அந்த ஹீரோக்களுக்காக செய்கிறோம். முதல் நாள் அவர்கள் படங்களை பார்க்க ஆயிரம், இரண்டாயிரம் செலவழிக்க தயங்குவதில்லை. சரி கொடுகிரீர்கள் அந்த அளவுக்கு உரித்தான கலைபடைப்பையாவது அவர்கள் தருகிறார்களா? அவர்கள் என்ன செய்தார்கள். நானும் கொடை செய்கிறேன் என்று சொல்லி சிலவற்றை செய்து பத்திரிகைகளில் மறக்காமல் செய்தி கொடுக்கிறார்கள். அவர்கள் இவரின் கால் தூசுக்கு கூட பொருந்த மாட்டார்கள். இவர் தான் உண்மையான ஹீரோ. சாகசம் செய்வது சாதனை அல்ல. இல்லாதவர்க்கு தேடிசென்று ஈவதே சாதனை. எனக்கு இவர் தான் என்றென்றும் ஹீரோ. இவரை பார்க்கவும், இவருடன் புகைப்படம் எடுத்துகொள்ளவும், இவருடன் ஒரு நாள் இருந்து சிறு உதவியேனும் செய்யவும், பொருள் உதவி செய்யவும், இவரை பற்றி எழுதவும் பேசவும் பெரும் ஆவல் கொள்கிறேன், பெரும் பெருமை கொள்கிறேன் எனது ஹீரோ ஒரு மகத்தானவன் என்பதில்.அற்றார் அழிபசி தீர்த்தல் அஃதொருவன்
பெற்றான் பொருள்வைப் புழி.ஏதும் இல்லாதவரின் கடும்பசியைத் தீர்த்து வையுங்கள். பொருளைப் பெற்றவன் சேமித்து வைக்கும் இடம் அதுவே.ஆதலால் நீங்கள் சேர்த்துவைக்க இடம்
http://www.akshayatrust.org/contact.phpAkshaya’s Helping in H.E.L.P. Trust
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Doak Nagar Extension,
Madurai – 625 010. IndiaPh: +91(0)452 4353439/2587104
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E mail : ramdost@sancharnet.in மொக்கையாக எத்தனையோ வோட்டு போட்டுருக்கோம். ஒரு நல்ல விசயத்திற்கும் வோட்டு போடலாம் வாருங்கள். நீங்கள் வோட்டு போடவேண்டிய இடம் http://heroes.cnn.com/vote.aspx
இதுவரை இந்த பெருமைக்குரிய விஷயம் பத்திரிக்கைகளில் பரவலாக வரவில்லை என்பது பெருத்த வேதனை மட்டுமல்ல ஒரு தமிழனாக நம் எல்லோருக்கும் அவமானம். இதை பதிவர்கள் எல்லோரும் கொண்டு சேர்க்க வேண்டுமாய் தாழ்மையுடன் கேட்டுகொள்கிறேன்
Monday, August 23, 2010
Social services and social work: Is there a difference?
Social services and social work: Is there a difference?
Priscilla Welikala
It is important to identify the difference between social services and Social Work as Social Work is accepted as a Profession in many countries, though it is not so in Sri Lanka yet. However great strides are being taken in the Field of Social Work Education to conduct professional courses from the Diploma, Bachelors and the Masters level by the National Institute of Social Development which has been declared a degree granting Institute.
The question arises as to whether sufficient awareness has been created at higher levels as to the importance of Social Work Education and the contributions professionally trained persons could make in the field of social development. This lack of awareness has prompted many to continue to look at working with people as a social service activity where no training is necessary.
People attending to social service
Social services are as old as civilization. It dates back as far as human beings showed concern for each others welfare and this was associated with the care and welfare of the unfortunate or those who lacked even the basic necessities of life. It is also considered a meritorious act which will ensure to the giver a better life after death. In addition to merit it gives social recognition and publicity and also helps a category of individuals to keep themselves gainfully occupied in a merit giving activity.
There are many volunteers in the field of social services and a very good example is seen in the Boards of Management in almost all the Voluntary residential Children’s Homes. They are dedicated individuals who spend quite sometime in this service and also find the necessary finances and other material needs for the use of children to supplement what they get from the government.
Though volunteerism has been accepted for ages, now the time has come to view this in the light of the Social Work Profession, as any human being is a resource whose potentials must be maximized.
Social Work as a Profession focuses on “releasing human power” in individuals and enabling them to become self reliant and contributing members of society. This view is very different to just helping and meeting material needs as very often done in Social Services as against Social Work which views “Helping people to Help themselves.” This means quite a lot. People must be helped in a professional way to enhance their potentials to be able to help themselves.
In order to do this trained social workers work with people in ways that strengthen their competencies, link them with needed resources and intervene in promoting environmental changes to meet the needs of people. This involves social work education and training which goes to prepare social work professionals in the field of social work. Social work has the attributes of a Profession.
They are (1). Systematic body of knowledge and theory (2). Professional. Authority (3). Sanction of the Community (4). Regulative code of Ethics (5). A Professional sub culture. As explained by T Legatt in an article “Teaching as a Profession” he has explained the characteristics of a Profession thus:
1. Practice is founded upon a base of theoretical, esoteric knowledge
2. The acquisition of knowledge requires a long period of education and socialization
3. Practitioners are motivated by an ideal of altruistic service rather than the pursuit of material and economic gain
4. Careful control is exercised over recruitment, training, certification and standards of practice
5. The colleague group is well organized and has disciplinary powers to enforce on code of ethical practice.
In countries where social work is accepted as a profession, a licence to practice is a requirement. It is new as a Profession and it is more a product of the twentieth century. It is a practice profession guided by its principles and values and gives a prime place to the worth and dignity of all human beings. Social Workers strongly believes that all people have a right to be respected irrespective of class, caste or any ethnic group and this helps in building trust and confidence which leads to a professional relationship. This relationship helps to guide individuals to effect positive changes to become self reliant and lead an acceptable quality of life in society.
This difference in view between Social Services and Social Work must be acknowledged and accepted and action has to be taken to effect a paradigm shift to enable volunteers in the field without social work education and training to look at their services from a different perspective. Policy changes must be effected to give the due place to trained Social workers for other wise the resources utilized in preparing qualified social workers will be wasted. In Sri Lanka Professional training in the field of Social Work started in the 1950s as the Institute of Social Work and now it is time that action is taken to show its impact and the positive contributions it can make towards the development activities of the country.
The Social Work Profession has very close affiliations to the Mahinda Chinthanaya which is an important policy guide for all activities concerning people. It emphasizes the importance of serving people and treating the people with respect and upholding their worth and dignity. The Social Work Profession too upholds these views about people. Unlike other professionals who look at individuals that come within their particular area of expertise, a social worker is expected to look at the totality of the person keeping in mind the person-in- environment concept.
Understanding the multifaceted nature of the problems faced interventions are made at micro, Mezzo and macro levels to enable the individual to understand the situation and enhance ones own capacities to be able to help oneself. A change in the attitudes of people are very necessary to help them to look at themselves in a more positive way and to maximize their own potentials instead of depending on dole outs to maintain themselves. It is important to value the resources within ones reach and in the environment and what contributions they can make to enhance their standard of living. Infra structure development is important but that alone is not sufficient if people fail to take ownership to sustain and maintain them. In this area of working with people the social work Profession can make great contributions and this resource which is available must be maximized.
While understanding the difference between Social Services and Social Work as a Profession, those working as Volunteers offering social services must be given an orientation to social work principles and values to help them to view social services from a different perspective. At the same time it is important to effect positive changes at policy level to give its due place to social work professionals who can make a positive contribution towards people’s development.
dailynews.lk
Priscilla Welikala
It is important to identify the difference between social services and Social Work as Social Work is accepted as a Profession in many countries, though it is not so in Sri Lanka yet. However great strides are being taken in the Field of Social Work Education to conduct professional courses from the Diploma, Bachelors and the Masters level by the National Institute of Social Development which has been declared a degree granting Institute.
The question arises as to whether sufficient awareness has been created at higher levels as to the importance of Social Work Education and the contributions professionally trained persons could make in the field of social development. This lack of awareness has prompted many to continue to look at working with people as a social service activity where no training is necessary.
People attending to social service
Social services are as old as civilization. It dates back as far as human beings showed concern for each others welfare and this was associated with the care and welfare of the unfortunate or those who lacked even the basic necessities of life. It is also considered a meritorious act which will ensure to the giver a better life after death. In addition to merit it gives social recognition and publicity and also helps a category of individuals to keep themselves gainfully occupied in a merit giving activity.
There are many volunteers in the field of social services and a very good example is seen in the Boards of Management in almost all the Voluntary residential Children’s Homes. They are dedicated individuals who spend quite sometime in this service and also find the necessary finances and other material needs for the use of children to supplement what they get from the government.
Though volunteerism has been accepted for ages, now the time has come to view this in the light of the Social Work Profession, as any human being is a resource whose potentials must be maximized.
Social Work as a Profession focuses on “releasing human power” in individuals and enabling them to become self reliant and contributing members of society. This view is very different to just helping and meeting material needs as very often done in Social Services as against Social Work which views “Helping people to Help themselves.” This means quite a lot. People must be helped in a professional way to enhance their potentials to be able to help themselves.
In order to do this trained social workers work with people in ways that strengthen their competencies, link them with needed resources and intervene in promoting environmental changes to meet the needs of people. This involves social work education and training which goes to prepare social work professionals in the field of social work. Social work has the attributes of a Profession.
They are (1). Systematic body of knowledge and theory (2). Professional. Authority (3). Sanction of the Community (4). Regulative code of Ethics (5). A Professional sub culture. As explained by T Legatt in an article “Teaching as a Profession” he has explained the characteristics of a Profession thus:
1. Practice is founded upon a base of theoretical, esoteric knowledge
2. The acquisition of knowledge requires a long period of education and socialization
3. Practitioners are motivated by an ideal of altruistic service rather than the pursuit of material and economic gain
4. Careful control is exercised over recruitment, training, certification and standards of practice
5. The colleague group is well organized and has disciplinary powers to enforce on code of ethical practice.
In countries where social work is accepted as a profession, a licence to practice is a requirement. It is new as a Profession and it is more a product of the twentieth century. It is a practice profession guided by its principles and values and gives a prime place to the worth and dignity of all human beings. Social Workers strongly believes that all people have a right to be respected irrespective of class, caste or any ethnic group and this helps in building trust and confidence which leads to a professional relationship. This relationship helps to guide individuals to effect positive changes to become self reliant and lead an acceptable quality of life in society.
This difference in view between Social Services and Social Work must be acknowledged and accepted and action has to be taken to effect a paradigm shift to enable volunteers in the field without social work education and training to look at their services from a different perspective. Policy changes must be effected to give the due place to trained Social workers for other wise the resources utilized in preparing qualified social workers will be wasted. In Sri Lanka Professional training in the field of Social Work started in the 1950s as the Institute of Social Work and now it is time that action is taken to show its impact and the positive contributions it can make towards the development activities of the country.
The Social Work Profession has very close affiliations to the Mahinda Chinthanaya which is an important policy guide for all activities concerning people. It emphasizes the importance of serving people and treating the people with respect and upholding their worth and dignity. The Social Work Profession too upholds these views about people. Unlike other professionals who look at individuals that come within their particular area of expertise, a social worker is expected to look at the totality of the person keeping in mind the person-in- environment concept.
Understanding the multifaceted nature of the problems faced interventions are made at micro, Mezzo and macro levels to enable the individual to understand the situation and enhance ones own capacities to be able to help oneself. A change in the attitudes of people are very necessary to help them to look at themselves in a more positive way and to maximize their own potentials instead of depending on dole outs to maintain themselves. It is important to value the resources within ones reach and in the environment and what contributions they can make to enhance their standard of living. Infra structure development is important but that alone is not sufficient if people fail to take ownership to sustain and maintain them. In this area of working with people the social work Profession can make great contributions and this resource which is available must be maximized.
While understanding the difference between Social Services and Social Work as a Profession, those working as Volunteers offering social services must be given an orientation to social work principles and values to help them to view social services from a different perspective. At the same time it is important to effect positive changes at policy level to give its due place to social work professionals who can make a positive contribution towards people’s development.
dailynews.lk
Monday, January 25, 2010
Even after the full settlement of all IDPs, German contribution will remain for the local population to benefit from!
Lankan-German teamwork boosts IDP health facilities!
Germany has provided medical equipment worth one million Euro to Chettikulam Hospital near Vavuniya.
This provision has been made against the background of the longstanding commitment made by the German Red Cross to Sri Lanka.
A German anaesthetist is currently stationed at the hospital, training its Sri Lankan staff on the job.
German Ambassador Jens Plotner, who made a field-visit to Vavuniya and Mannar to gain firsthand information on the ongoing resettlement process, lauded German-Sri Lankan teamwork.
He said: "Chettikulam Hospital has borne the brunt of maternity care of IDPs.
"Even after the full settlement of all IDPs, German contribution will remain for the local population to benefit from."
www island.lk
Germany has provided medical equipment worth one million Euro to Chettikulam Hospital near Vavuniya.
This provision has been made against the background of the longstanding commitment made by the German Red Cross to Sri Lanka.
A German anaesthetist is currently stationed at the hospital, training its Sri Lankan staff on the job.
German Ambassador Jens Plotner, who made a field-visit to Vavuniya and Mannar to gain firsthand information on the ongoing resettlement process, lauded German-Sri Lankan teamwork.
He said: "Chettikulam Hospital has borne the brunt of maternity care of IDPs.
"Even after the full settlement of all IDPs, German contribution will remain for the local population to benefit from."
www island.lk
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Peace begins with me and you....!!!
It’s time to walk the talk............ by Capt Elmo Jayawardena
"Peace begins with me." That’s what I wrote a week back. In keeping with the spirit of my article I travelled to Jaffna and mingled with the people and visited four little schools. My mission was to represent CandleAid Lanka and gift books to start libraries. Another team went to Muttur and Thiriyaya. All In all there will be twenty seven such CandleAid libraries in the North and East helping children affected by the conflict.
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The Expo Air aeroplane took the final turn over the Kankasanthurai coast to align with the Palali runway. I sat on a passenger seat with my eyes glued to the window, watching everything, noting the rain washed northern landscape in shades of green. It was thirty five years since I had last been here, landing aeroplanes in the same airfield. That was then, when peace reigned, where the days were soft and lazy and we picked gold skinned mangoes and kottakilangu to take home. It was another world.
The places I visited this time were in need of everything, ranging from rubber slippers to pens and pencils and desks and chairs. More than anything else they needed a bit of friendship and care from the south.
It’s not that CandleAid Lanka can move mountains, but we sure can take a few steps to level an anthill or two and pave a path for others to follow us to the north, just to say hello to our forgotten Sri Lankan brothers and sisters.
That developments will come in time is certain. However, this would be infrastructural. Banks will open, supermarkets would mushroom and the bill boards will be erected tall and broad showing Ajantha Mendis eating sausages. Roads would get tarred and the war ravaged roofless houses that stand dilapidated will find Rhino sheet coverings and Lankem Robialac paint will bring in the new looks in multicolour.
But the over-riding question is "would all that usher peace?" Isn’t there a factor of harmony too? Promises are good and plans are better and these will be handled by people who are supposed to take care of them. But we, you and me, can do so much more to add our little contribution to the consonance.
Go to Jaffna my dear friends, the A9 will open and travel to the north will get easier. It is time for us to get to know that part of the island and its people.
In the newspapers every day I see huge advertisements to holiday and see the world. Valley of Kings or safari in Kenya; maybe fly to the holy land and walk in Jerusalem or travel very far to study the Inca civilization in Machu Picchu. There is also China, India, Europe, USA and a host of other destinations well researched and packaged, all taken care of if you can afford. Great, but why not go to Jaffna too? Find a copy of Pathmanathan’s Kingdom of Jaffna or Early Tamils of Lanka by Parameswaran or any other book that gives details of the area. Devour the information and head north. The history alone is so vast there. The temples are a magnificent sight to see. There is the Nallur temple, Maviddapuram temple in Tellipalai or Naguleshwaram temple in Keeramalai, three among the many, all filled with legends and mythology that go way back to the early Dravidian civilization. The Naga Vihara stands serene in the heart of the city and Naga Deepa is just a boat ride away. Then there is the Dutch Fort built in 1680 -it is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the clear blue sky that often spans the Jaffna peninsula. The Subramaniam Park is nice to walk and the British Royalty gifted clock tower stands now with digital clocks and Dialog advertisements. These represent just a few sights, there is so much more to see, including the renovated Jaffna Library that shadows a story of eternal shame. I am sure Gabo Travels and Superlink and the likes of them will do their arithmetic and come out with package tours for all of us to go north and say hello to the people of Jaffna.
The streets in the city are filled with school girls riding bicycles. The old too use this main mode of transport, sitting on the bar with the young pedalling. The food in Jaffna is great, very enjoyable, tasty and inexpensive, I relished every morsel. The people I met were the best, teachers in small schools, students who shook hands with me and common men. I chatted to all who welcomed me to their domain with open hearts.
This is the essence of what is needed in Jaffna today. It is for us to go and shake hands and become friends again.
Such were my thoughts as I watched the evening sun seated on the Panna Bridge that joins the road from Kayts to the mainland. The single sail long boats were searching for fish in the lagoon under white patches of cloud rolling in a vermillion sky. The entire locality for three decades had witnessed a lot of grief, both for man and place alike. The tell-tale marks are everywhere. Far away the Chelvanayagam memorial jutted up to the heavens silhouetting against the city of Jaffna, awakening in my mind the years of politics and promises and the sadness of lost peace, for both him and his people and for us from south of the Wanni.
Yes, peace begins with me. It begins with you and it begins with each individual who stakes a claim to a birthright in this island, irrespective of what race or religion he belongs to. CandleAid will open its libraries. We will go from Point Pedro to Kalmunai with hands extended in friendship. Books are a lovely way to reach children effected by the conflict, maybe a very small step in the direction of peace, but then, there is no place called far away if one decides to walk.
Yes, it is time to walk the talk.
elmojay@sltnet.lk
www island.lk
"Peace begins with me." That’s what I wrote a week back. In keeping with the spirit of my article I travelled to Jaffna and mingled with the people and visited four little schools. My mission was to represent CandleAid Lanka and gift books to start libraries. Another team went to Muttur and Thiriyaya. All In all there will be twenty seven such CandleAid libraries in the North and East helping children affected by the conflict.
---
The Expo Air aeroplane took the final turn over the Kankasanthurai coast to align with the Palali runway. I sat on a passenger seat with my eyes glued to the window, watching everything, noting the rain washed northern landscape in shades of green. It was thirty five years since I had last been here, landing aeroplanes in the same airfield. That was then, when peace reigned, where the days were soft and lazy and we picked gold skinned mangoes and kottakilangu to take home. It was another world.
The places I visited this time were in need of everything, ranging from rubber slippers to pens and pencils and desks and chairs. More than anything else they needed a bit of friendship and care from the south.
It’s not that CandleAid Lanka can move mountains, but we sure can take a few steps to level an anthill or two and pave a path for others to follow us to the north, just to say hello to our forgotten Sri Lankan brothers and sisters.
That developments will come in time is certain. However, this would be infrastructural. Banks will open, supermarkets would mushroom and the bill boards will be erected tall and broad showing Ajantha Mendis eating sausages. Roads would get tarred and the war ravaged roofless houses that stand dilapidated will find Rhino sheet coverings and Lankem Robialac paint will bring in the new looks in multicolour.
But the over-riding question is "would all that usher peace?" Isn’t there a factor of harmony too? Promises are good and plans are better and these will be handled by people who are supposed to take care of them. But we, you and me, can do so much more to add our little contribution to the consonance.
Go to Jaffna my dear friends, the A9 will open and travel to the north will get easier. It is time for us to get to know that part of the island and its people.
In the newspapers every day I see huge advertisements to holiday and see the world. Valley of Kings or safari in Kenya; maybe fly to the holy land and walk in Jerusalem or travel very far to study the Inca civilization in Machu Picchu. There is also China, India, Europe, USA and a host of other destinations well researched and packaged, all taken care of if you can afford. Great, but why not go to Jaffna too? Find a copy of Pathmanathan’s Kingdom of Jaffna or Early Tamils of Lanka by Parameswaran or any other book that gives details of the area. Devour the information and head north. The history alone is so vast there. The temples are a magnificent sight to see. There is the Nallur temple, Maviddapuram temple in Tellipalai or Naguleshwaram temple in Keeramalai, three among the many, all filled with legends and mythology that go way back to the early Dravidian civilization. The Naga Vihara stands serene in the heart of the city and Naga Deepa is just a boat ride away. Then there is the Dutch Fort built in 1680 -it is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the clear blue sky that often spans the Jaffna peninsula. The Subramaniam Park is nice to walk and the British Royalty gifted clock tower stands now with digital clocks and Dialog advertisements. These represent just a few sights, there is so much more to see, including the renovated Jaffna Library that shadows a story of eternal shame. I am sure Gabo Travels and Superlink and the likes of them will do their arithmetic and come out with package tours for all of us to go north and say hello to the people of Jaffna.
The streets in the city are filled with school girls riding bicycles. The old too use this main mode of transport, sitting on the bar with the young pedalling. The food in Jaffna is great, very enjoyable, tasty and inexpensive, I relished every morsel. The people I met were the best, teachers in small schools, students who shook hands with me and common men. I chatted to all who welcomed me to their domain with open hearts.
This is the essence of what is needed in Jaffna today. It is for us to go and shake hands and become friends again.
Such were my thoughts as I watched the evening sun seated on the Panna Bridge that joins the road from Kayts to the mainland. The single sail long boats were searching for fish in the lagoon under white patches of cloud rolling in a vermillion sky. The entire locality for three decades had witnessed a lot of grief, both for man and place alike. The tell-tale marks are everywhere. Far away the Chelvanayagam memorial jutted up to the heavens silhouetting against the city of Jaffna, awakening in my mind the years of politics and promises and the sadness of lost peace, for both him and his people and for us from south of the Wanni.
Yes, peace begins with me. It begins with you and it begins with each individual who stakes a claim to a birthright in this island, irrespective of what race or religion he belongs to. CandleAid will open its libraries. We will go from Point Pedro to Kalmunai with hands extended in friendship. Books are a lovely way to reach children effected by the conflict, maybe a very small step in the direction of peace, but then, there is no place called far away if one decides to walk.
Yes, it is time to walk the talk.
elmojay@sltnet.lk
www island.lk
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