What are the most significant moments of life? And how have they shaped the Social Work Practitioner?

(Self-Reflection)

Social work students share 3 significant moments in their lives. 

To provide a context first I must inform you that the students who are enrolled within this social work program are representative of an array of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, male and female, various in age and personality. When asked during class to participate in an activity looking at;  

What are the most significant moments of life? And how have they shaped themselves as the Social Work Practitioner? 

Without any surprise, all the students had described similar significant moments for themselves within their lives. Here are the following aspects; Motherhood, Fatherhood, Parenthood, Re-locating Counties, Loss/Death of a spouse, Separation, Marriage, Finding Faith, Friendships, Custody Challenges, Encounter with Justice System. 

Though the social work students all are different by means of ethnicity, and cultural heritage. They found themselves more similar than different. That when it came down to the depth of who they were as individuals, they essentially discovered that they were all just human beings sharing a journey through life that encompassed the above significant moments. With this said, it was important than to re-iterate to the class. If this is the case, and this is what is most significant to them and their lives. 

Then don't waste it questioning what is different about each other. rather begin your social work engagement and practice with what connects yourselves with each other. Then work through the differences at a later as they present themselves.

Ia Manuia 

Melvin Apulu Jnr        

Really New Zealand Herald is that all you could come up with? "Police 'disappointed' at Polyfest brawls"

Isnt it ironic that South Akl hosts two of its most major pasifika events throughout this month. The only news that appears on the national herald is about two fights by young people at the festival, Ok so out of 200,000 people, young, old, and in between who attended a marvelous event celebrating our polynesian cultures.. The herald goes and publishes this news? ! Over 2x fights? Auuee, must be really bored at the herald over the weekend. How about publishing the fact that hundreds of secondary schools participated, hours and hours goes into practice, community engagement and cultural revitalisation is at its best! .. Think its time we re-think our mainstream media. Because clearly they ain't capturing the truth of a beautiful event. otherwise Please NZ herald go and write about every other brawl in every other major event in akl? that happens every other weekend. Seriously?

Why is Aiga and Tautua so important?

Aiga is the basis of a Samoan collective group of individuals, Aiga encapsulates the basis of our existence as Samoans. “For what is Tagata without Aiga”. The Samoans believe in the following Alagaupu “Tama ma latou Aiga, Aiga ma latou Tama” simply translated “I am my family, and my family is me”. When explained, I can only write, the Samoan individual exists for his aiga, and his aiga exists for him. Never in the mind and heart of a Samoan person, can and will he think of himself more than his family. He is constantly putting first the needs of his aiga, above his own, this is to act in the pursuit of the Samoan principle of Tautua (Service). This doesn’t imply that one must be a slave, or a servant, but to be of service. It is ultimately his choice to serve the interests of his aiga, despite the difficulty, and sacrifice that is required, the Samoan individual knows that there can be no other greater blessing than the one that is given by his aiga in his pursuit of Tautua. In many cases this is the sole purpose and being for a Samoan young person that is not yet bestowed a matai (chiefly) title. “O le ala o le pule o le Tautua”, “The pathway to leadership is through service” again a well know alagaupu in which speaks for itself. That one cannot expect to gain a leadership role within his aiga, unless he understands and engages in the constant principle of Tautua.

'Ie Toga' presented to Apulu Taupulega Faamaile Apulu for his Tautua to his Aiga, Nuu, and Atunuu

Tautua in a Samoan aiga, varies depending on the location in which the Samoan aiga lives, for example, a Samoan Taulealea (untitled male) living in Samoa may assist in outdoor duties, and tasks, hunting, fishing, planting, building, etc however for a Samoan living abroad he may Tautua in another way, simply applying himself to his education, receiving higher educational qualifications, doing well in sports, being employed, being able to provide financial assistance to his aiga, ensuring his aiga is well fed, and clothed, and is able to transport his aiga, he is also involved with his ekalesia (church) etc.. Aiga and Tautua are unbreakable the two cannot exist without each other, and must be carried out as one. If there are two points that i want you to remember from these two paragraphs are 1. Aiga encapsulates the basis of our existence as Samoans, 2. To remember in a Samoan aiga, the pathway to leadership is only through service. May Absolute Integrity and Service be Aiga be at the forefront of your very existence as a Samoan.

Ps: I understand that there are many views on this notion of Tautua and Aiga, however please forgive my two paragraphs if inconsiderate and offensive to any Samoan people. Manuia

Quote - Melvin Apulu Jnr

The Samoan Worldview - A brief look into the Samoan worldview

'Live', 'Learn' but most importantly 'Love' others

One of the many advantages of starting work late in the afternoon is that i get to spend more time with this little princess and her mummy Carla




Oh the joy she brings. As adults we need to see life more from the lens of our babies, Love is effortless and unconditional and time is never a factor in anything that they do.




As you know the world consumes all our joy and freedom and binds our happiness in conforming to the norm! 'Unconsciously' crushing our tamaiti/children's dreams and abilities by putting limitations on them! Well i say never mind to all that and "Live, Learn, but most importantly Love others" esp our tamaiti.

No wonder why e famai le tusi paia 'Ua fetalai atu Iesu, “Tu‘u pea tamaiti e ō mai ‘iā te a‘u, ‘aua le vavaoina i latou, auā e fa‘apei o i latou nei ē o i le Mālō o le lagi.” (Mataio 19:14). /But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

How can a Social worker really make a difference?

Social work practitioners "need' to reflect the communities from which they are engaging in."

Series 1: Melvin Apulu Jnr

At times social workers do not realise the power they hold. At any given time they have the ability to help the most vulnerable people in our society, however, and unfortunately, looking at past experiences there abilities have also brought about the most harm.

Experiences from within the field of social work as a social work practitioner have allowed me to write this blog, it has stirred up a passion for positive community change with a difference. As this difference begins from the very practitioners that engage with our most vulnerable on a daily basis. This blog therefore is written to continually build best practice for not only myself but for all social work practitioners.

In order for our most vulnerable people in our communities to be assisted and supported by social work practitioners to achieve social and economic well being, key aspects must be discussed. I have highlighted one aspect to add to the general social work discussion for best practice.

It is no longer a challenge that cannot be ignored. It is now more prevalent than ever before, that social work practitioners "need' to reflect the communities from which they are engaging in." Especially in ethnicity, age, gender, and personal experience. No longer can we have social work practitioners who have no knowledge of the community including history, struggle, or families within the community engaging or working in them. This causes more harm than good.

There is a reason why most vulnerable communities don't have a sustained/conducive/extensive relationship with 'random' practitioners it is simply because they are 'random', and again cause more harm then anticipated. Continually making assumptions and allowing pre-concieved ideas to infect the way they engage with these vulnerable communities. Purely based from a file or verbal referral by a colleague. Again, briefly highlighting some minor aspects of social work practice that need to be revisited.

"Melvin the number one rule in social work, is to never assume" quoted by an elderly social work practitioner in my community. A constant sentence replaying itself in my head and heart whenever i'm establishing a new relationship with a youth group or family.

Don't get me wrong, i'm not writing, if you're not from the community you are working in then don't. I'm writing that if you are unable to comprehend the experience or struggle that a particular family is going through in that community, you will find it extremely difficult to engage with them.

Yes there are multiple ways or lenses in which you can debate this statement, however bare my statement in mind for future reference. Provide comments below to allow for further discussion.