World Social Work Day observed by UB students

If you’re not employed in the field, chances are you didn’t know that for the last three years, March seventeenth has been observed as World Social Work Day. To commemorate the occasion today for the first time locally, members of the University of Belize Social Work Student Association performed a community service at the Causarina Street home of eighty-eight year old Icenie McKoy. Through the activity, the students are fulfilling the social work creed of assisting individuals, families, and communities that are disadvantaged and at the same time bringing attention to the various roles that social workers hold in society.

Icenie McKoy, Assisted by UB Social Work Student Assn.
“I feel so happy this morning when I see. I neva rememba yoh know so wah lady come yah come tell me I wah get mi yard fixed. When I si di crowd, I seh dah weh dehn people gwein. Den ah collect and seh oh, di lady sen di people dehn fi fix di yard. I feel so happy and proud and you all are so nice to me. I’m happy and thank you all.”

Delahnie Bain
“So you’re liking your new house.”

Icenie McKoy
“Oh yes. It’s looking good and nice.”

Kendra Griffith, President, UB Social Work Student Assn.
“World Social Work Day is observed by the International Federation of Social Workers and this is just the third time that it is being observed worldwide and it’s actually the first time that it is being observed in Belize by us the students at the University of Belize who are in the Social Work program and also in the Social Work Student Association.”

Delahnie Bain
“How did you select Miss McKoy?”

Kendra Griffith
“We partnered with Helpage Belize to find an elderly person. We wanted to do the elderly because they are what we call a vulnerable population. They are neglected by society, they’re needs aren’t always met and so we decided to do that and because we know that Helpage works with the elderly, then we asked them if they could just point out someone for us.”

Chrisdale Anthony, Member, UB Social Work Student Assn.
“Basically all we did out here today was we painted the exterior of Miss McKoy’s household, we cleaned her yard and we are also renovating her fence. Today we’re also going to donate to her a food basket, which will entail basic food supplies which I’m sure she will be very glad for.”

Delahnie Bain
“Why did you choose to volunteer to come out and help?”

Chrisdale Anthony
“I chose to volunteer to come out to help today because it’s a very good initiative and it’s very good to give back to your community. I am a student at school. The people who are teaching me, they are giving me their knowledge and their wisdom and to give back I am coming here and volunteering my time.”

World Social Worker Day was celebrated under the theme “Social Worker and Social Development: the Agenda.”