'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.

  

Want to work with Samoan families but dont know how?

Tautua Faatamalii (Servanthood with Absolute Integrity) 

An innovative cultural theory and practice framework model

Developed by the Apulu Aiga/Family/Melvin Apulu Jnr: Founded on FaaSamoa/Samoan cultural principlesTautua Faatamalii is the Solution to engaging with Samoan aiga.

Tautua Faatamalii is defined as Servant hood with Absolute Integrity Tautua (Servant hood or service) and Faatamalii (Absolute Integrity). Tautua Faatamalii is an innovative cultural theory and practice framework model. It consists of 5 key Samoan principles: Gagana (Language), Tautua (Service) Faatamalii (Absolute Integrity) Faamaoni (Honesty) and Va Fealoaloai (Sacred safe respectful space). These core Samoan principles can guide practitioners that engage with Samoan young people and their aiga (families), in bringing restoration and wellbeing for the Aiga. In reciprocity Tautua Faatamalii can also provide holistic wellbeing to the practitioner. More information will be provided around the application of this model. Subscribe to my blog for regular updates. Ia Manuia Melvin Apulu Jnr.