My Journey: What brought me to social work and why did I choose international and leadership concentrations?
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. - Confucius
Trust the process
After studying community development, women's studies and education, social work seemed to be the perfect fit to continue delving into my passion for a better world through social justice, personal learning and a radical faith in hope. Specifically, I chose to focus my education on the international and leadership streams of social work.
What does international social work mean? The International Federation of Social Workers defines international social work as: "promoting social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Utilizing theories of human behaviour and social systems, social work intervenes at the points where people interact with their environments" (www.ifsw.org).
The principles embodied by the IFSW bring to light my own personal views of work and community. For example, I believe that human rights and social justice are fundamental to human life, as is respect and an honoring of diversity. In this way, social work embodies the ways in which I want to live my life. Personally, politically and professionally, I aspire to work for a healthier, more sustainable world in which people are able to meet their needs. In practice, these aspirations have led me to consider my role at home and in the international community.
In my past, working through the practices of social work has opened up some profound opportunities for personal and community change. Reflecting on the consistency upon which I have sought to become engaged in community change over the years, it seems fitting that I view social work as a community practice transcending geography. While I have explored these experiences in depth in my CV, some of the experiences that have most directly led me to the place where I am now include:
1999-2002 I completed a B.A. in Women’s Studies with a focus on international and community development.
2002 I participated in rural development project in the highlands of Guyana.
2002-2003 I lived and worked at Yaodhara Ashram. Here I managed the organic garden, and completed my yoga teacher training certification. Yoga continues to be a vital part of my life.
2003 I worked on rehabilitation for youth who had been impacted by landmines in Laos.
2005 I facilitated an Indigenous youth exchange between Inuit and San people in rural Botswana for Northern Youth Abroad Program.
2006 I completed a degree in education (B.Ed) with a focus on global education.
2007 I worked with the United Way in Calgary.
2008 I began my work at the YWCA Community Resource Center and at the Bow Valley Women's Shelter. I also embarked on the journey of my M.S.W.
2010 I completed a practicum with Navdanya; a not for profit organization based in India and graduated with an M.S.W!
2011 - Present Returning to international community capacity building, I am working with several not for profit groups in Kenya including founding and coordinating the Mpala Girls Empowerment through Conservation Program based at Mpala Research Centre (http://www.mpala.org)
To me, international social work is not about working 'somewhere else'. Instead, it is about making connections, linking communities, people and places so that we can celebrate our vibrant diversity through becoming stronger, more united and compassionate for those that we share this incredible earth with. International social work can be done in any context; even from home.
In addition to the international concentration, I chose to focus my studies on the leadership stream of social work. To me, leadership work offers the opportunity to make connections between policy and practice. We live in a world informed by systems, governed by delineations that have been defined by those who are in power. By understanding the policies that establish boundaries, I can be of the greatest service to the people and groups with whom I work. In every policy there are places for growth and change, and by becoming an intermediary between the worlds of community and governance, I can support groups in moving toward a space in which they are more fully able to meet their needs.
To read more about some of the life experiences that have influenced my journey toward and through social work, please click on the images below.