Travelogue - Veronica

Similar to Simone and others, the international perspective of this collaborative exercise was enticing for me personally.  My undergraduate work was International Relations with an African concentration and I have always had a deep appreciation for cultures and languages.  While I was deployed to Kosovo, I had the privilege of spending my free time doing humanitarian work with the other multinational military officers.  We put coal stoves in school houses; brought clothes and food to the Romas living in enclaves; and provided school supplies to the Serbian schools that had been devastated by the war.  This experience of collaborating with women and men from Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Sweden, France, Ukraine, and Russia for the benefit of the less fortunate was very rewarding and felt like something I might return to one day.  Reflection on the readings, the map and my understanding of the work we actually did in Kosovo has shed new light on the difference between what charity and solidarity.  I really appreciated in "Cows for Campesinos" how Gerald Debbink reflects on his own growth in understanding of charity verses solidarity.  I also was very moved by Arturo Ornelas' comments about working with the people in order for real participatory action research to take place.  "Manual work is the only real link between an intellectual and the community.  if you do not work alongside the people in the community, they will not believe you.  You create a moral value among the people-a belief in their reality...Work is a source of transformation."   This brings up the difference too, of sustainability of the project or work being done.  The map reflects important work being done all over the world.  It is ambitious work.  The projects I found most compelling were those that put the Client voice at the center.

I was interested to find organizations in parts of the world in which i had some personal connection.  For example, I looked to the Ukraine because I worked with several Ukrainian Soldiers in Kosovo and I know that country has experienced significant political unrest which often significantly impacts marginalized populations in a society.  Presently the number of social workers in Ukraine is critically low and many of those who provide services to people living with disabilities are doing it in a voluntary status or for extremely low wages.  The number of people living with disabilities has increased significantly due to the conflicts in Eastern Europe.  This country is particularly closed off and it is not easy to find non-profit organizations that are supporting work inside this nation.  However, the EU is working to support the efforts to increase the development and efficacy of the social services which will potentially have a very important rippling effect in the lives of people living with disability in this nation.

The second organization I found of interest was Women For Women International in Democratic Republic of Congo.  This country was interesting to me because I knew several students from this country when I was teaching and they speak French.  It was also interesting to me that the project seemed to be focused on the empowerment of women, educating them about earning power, money management, vocational skills, business skills and health management.  There is also a focus on peer to peer support and fundamental rights.  

The third organization I found compelling was Mercy Korps in Kosovo which is doing work to help the lovely people of this region continue to grow their country to a place that has economic opportunities for everyone; refugees are reintegrated into a society that promotes inter-ethnic cooperation and the streets feel safe both day and night.  I appreciated that this organization seemed to be meeting people where they are and the work being done seemed very meaningful and sustainable.  The placement of the streetlights to provide a stronger sense of safety within a community, I think is one example of neighborhoods and communities working with organizations to get what is needed, practical, sustainable and wanted.  However, this brings me back again to the "Cows for Campesinos" reading, and I think you are not going to know the community is "licking the chicken bones" or the streets are scary at night, if you are never on those streets or really "listening between the cracks".  

One of my other take aways from the readings is that it was a little difficult for me to find organizations on the map that are completely post-modernist and it brought me back to the reading by Lane.  It seems as to me that most of the organizations I was looking at referenced some sort of curriculum, programming, management or other component of change.  In reflecting on Lane's article, it seems to me that these all come with some sort of agenda.  Granted, the intention of the organization may be completely supportive and well-meaning, but that does not discount the existence of an agenda.  As soon as we are not living with and keeping the Client voice at the center, no matter how subdued the voice may be, we are not really doing the work for the Client.  

This was a very thought provoking exercise for me and I really enjoyed the opportunity to reflect on my past humanitarian efforts and deconstruct them in light of new knowledge.  In a few weeks I will have another opportunity to collaborate internationally, as Mary mentioned, when we go to Finland.  Based on my past experiences, I trust there are going to be some relationships we form that will last for years to come.  As this collaborative map demonstrated, there is a tremendous amount of potential for those of us interested in future international social work and that is very exciting.  On the other hand, it also demonstrated to me, the incredible need for a force of activist-minded individuals who are willing to stay focused in helping to changed the world.  I think this map was a clear indicator that it will be the grassroot organizations and their supporters that continue to change the world and we need to be part of that change.  

Travelogue - Laney

I got so excited when I first opened the completed map up that I read the little blurbs of every item posted, and dug deeper into a few of them. I could talk about many, many awesome organizations that I read about, such as the MPP, which I researched, where peasants are creating their own networks to educate, involve, and empower all peasants of Haiti in solidarity, or the UDEFEGUA that seeks to support and protect those doing human rights work in Guatemala in a dangerous political climate, or the Tanakuna Women's Artist Cooperative, where women have not only come together to support one another, but have learned to be empowered. I could go on, but ultimately, it was no one agency or mission that made a great impact on me, but, rather, the cumulative whole of them all taken together.


When I first did the readings, my initial reaction had some mixed feelings. I have believed strongly in the importance of grassroots movements for many years, that the people themselves who seek change need to be involved in the process of defining that change and making that change happen. But occasionally I get so inundated with stories of suffering, oppression, injustice, and so on that it feels overwhelming and I lose some of that hopefulness. Like these small movements are nice, but how can they change the world? Looking at this map has been inspiring, and helped to reignite my hope. “Small” movements are not small in impact, and they do not happen in isolation. Researching organizations for my own part, I realize how interconnected so many agencies are, seeking change in their communities, while rallying in solidarity with others fighting for justice. Then I look at this entire map and see so, so many other organizations in the same vein, and realize that this map shows just a very small fraction of the movements and organizations that exist to “fight the good fight.”



There is such a common theme in so many of these organizations, as Aya pointed out in her “travelogue,” of advocacy, giving voice, and empowerment. If we could make fighting for social justice and human rights one larger, more connected movement that values the intersectionality of all these movements, think how powerful that could be. I have to believe in the power of collective action, collaboration, and the true will of the people. Sometimes it feels like the will of a the moneyed few is too strong to really push against effectively, but seeing this map reminds me that it is not the battle of few, but of many together.

Travelogue - Bryan

Depending on how the map decides to load I can view different locations and not others, I though mine did not save and when re-adding I guess I duplicated... I searched for social work organizations involved in community and public health that had a person-centered philosophy.  These types of organizations, I was surprised to find, exist all over the world! Similar to a comment made by another classmate, I enjoyed exploring for organizations that offered a wide range of services at a one stop location.  This type of model is developing in the US, a place where a family can go to have a child see the dentist while a parent gets a check-up from their physician.

One place that deviated from this was found in my search for social work organizations in Nepal.  Following the devastating earthquake, I thought it would be appropriate to provide a link to agencies in the country who offer social work services and supports.  What I found was a non-profit that exists to support social work volunteers, people who want to visit Nepal and bring their own expertise to the communities surrounding Kathmandu.  I was interested to see similar organizations around the world that existed as means of bringing volunteers to the country, is this an effective model for serving communities or a response to international desires to volunteer, learn skills, and develop cultural connections?

As others have noted, the amount of pins around the world can seem overwhelming and heartening.  The topic of collaboration is what comes to mind for me, and whether or not so many disparate organizations are even aware of the work being done by one another.  During my experience in field, I was able to witness efforts to limit duplication of work and to incorporate hard work being done elsewhere rather than to spend money and allocate resources to "reinvent the wheel."  If this map existed in a more user-friendly format and one was able to sort by topic area and missions, isolated agencies would be able to reach out and learn from one another on an international scale.

           One thing that struck me after looking over the map was the sheer scope of programs and organizations. From targeted populations to types of programs to organization sponsors/funding sources, there is such a wide range of areas that are covered on the map. Not to mention… I can’t imagine all the others that exist that we did not cover!

            Another point that stood out to me was how broad the goals and about us sections were on these websites, and I’m not stating that as a negative. Specifically regarding my experience researching organizations for the map, I read the general info and thought to myself, “yeah, sure, improving the lives of those in need sounds great, but making that happen will take a lot more than good intentions!” It was at this point that reading about specific programs or initiatives really grounded me. I needed these specific examples to see the tangible aspects and be reminded that the desire to help is not a lost cause. This made me think of a time in practice – I can’t for the life of me remember what we were doing – but Kelly had us each write on sticky notes and she asked us to be specific, to give a concrete example of how we would do or show “this” (whatever we were talking about!) I, and many of my classmates, gave broad goals… not a specific example. Anyways, it was nice to see plans that are already in motion and working hard, with determined and hardworking people pushing forward with them every day!

            One organization that peaked my interest is the Tsao Foundation in Singapore. In one stop, individuals can access medical, social and psycho-emotional care. This makes so much sense to me, to not separate all of these areas like it seems like we do here. Increase accessibility and enable individuals to be involved in directing their own care… having all professionals on the same page (even in the same facility!) will help a lot with person centered and directed planning.

Travelogue - Mary Collett

There is so much in Aya’s post that either took the words right out of my mouth or made me realize something in myself. For example, I realized that I was wearing my own “blinders.” I always partially joked about leaving the U.S. for good because I did not want to deal with capitalism or patriarchy anymore, which I completely realize is ignorant. This map was a good visual reminder that these issues exist in elsewhere in the globe. Also, it was amazing to see the different types of work in the world, such as the work done by Safer Birth in Chad, Gender in Agriculture Partnership, and Headspace. What an incredible variety!

Along with exploring the map, the process of finding my own contributions was a really remarkable experience. Yes, I realized how extensive certain issues were, but I also saw an incredible amount of grassroots organization around these issues to support vulnerable populations, which was incredibly encouraging. I posted aec-tea associacao, World Comics Finland, and Narmada Bachao Andola. I was led to Narmada Bachao Andola because of my a narrative I read for policy class. 

The narrative focused on the harm caused by dams on populations of vulnerable folks (i.e. indigenous people) around the world, and I was particularly interested in one of the stories about Medha Patkar. She fought for the rights of indigenous people in India who were impacted by flooding caused by dams, and after researching her work, I found Friends of Narmada. Although they are not Narmada Bachao Andola, Friends of Narmada is an "international coalition of individuals and organizations (primarily of Indian descent)." I particularly loved this find because it seemed like a great example of social work in a global context. The intention of the website is to host for the Narmada Bachao Andola, and this is possible with the collaborative efforts of people from Canada, the United States, the Netherlands, and more. Really, this website for me really connected what we have been learning about online and/or international communities.

If anything, this activity made me really excited for this upcoming trip to Finland. I am really looking forward to meeting folks with social work interests stemming from social issues all over the world. Also, Stan mentioned in our meetings to prepare for Finland that we'll want to stay in touch with people from this trip, and I hope that this might be possible. The trip is a wonderful opportunity, but I can't help but wonder how sustainable online community connection (and possibly, action) might be. This adventure will certainly be new for me, so I hope I can figure out how this might be possible.

Also, Stan's pieces (Letters from Lapland; Noticing) were really relevant to this activity! For instance, in "Letters from Lapland," Stan wrote, "These kind of experiences also influence the way students think about social work. They begin to realize that many of our most pressing social issues do not stop at the borders of different countries."  It was really exciting for me to read them today (in preparation for the Finland trip), especially since we had this activity. In a way, this activity was a great segue for me to have this mindset or awareness.

My Journey through global communites: Simone

      My passion and interest in social work began when I was living abroad in China. Similar to the experiences of my classmates, this activity again reaffirmed my passions for the future and the work I will engage with as a social worker. When I was living in Taipei, I got the opportunity to volunteer at an organization that works directly with children who are orphaned with HIV/ Aids. It was interesting to see another organization doing similar work in Thailand. I appreciated getting to read about the mission of Baan Gerda and the work they do to empower children orphaned through HIV/ Aids while also trying to provide a stable family home for them. I am confident that social workers could play a larger role through advocacy and education for orphaned children in other parts of the world. It was difficult to see from the website the current involvement of social workers in advocating for the rights of these children. One of the organizations I had posted about due to my involvement with the work they do is: Love without Boundaries. It was interesting how these two organizations had similar connections on trying to take children out of institutional care and move them into family environments.
        Due to my interest in populations with HIV/ Aids and my personal travels to Uganda I was also interested in learning more about the work of The Aids Support Organization (TASO).  The organization seems to engage in the model of using participatory action research to meet the needs of the community they serve. I was amazed to see that they had over 800 volunteers and staff involved in their work. HIV/Aids is still so prevalent in many parts of the world, however as a society there is still so much stigma and lack of knowledge around the disease. It amazed me during my time in Uganda at how many children I met who had lost a parent/ grandparent to HIV/aids. It was encouraging to see that there are movements in place to focus on education and prevention.

        One of the other organizations that stood out to me along my journey was The Centre for Child and Parent Support based out of the UK. My current internship has a similar model to the Family Partnership Model that involves getting the entire family supported and treated in order for the family to feel confident in their skills. I also appreciated how this used very much of a strengths based practice model in order to empower parents and children. One of the things that I appreciated about the organization was how it seemed to be focused on strengthening not only families but community support. My criticism of the organization is that I would have appreciated to hear more from the families it served instead of just solely citing the approaches.

        Overall, I found this activity to remind me of the many reasons I have been so passionate about my future career in social work. Social work is such a diverse field with so many different areas to be involved. Being in Vermont, it is some times easy to neglect the needs of the larger global context and needs of communities throughout the world. As a social worker, regardless of where we live I think it is important to have some level of involvement at an international level. During my time in Beijing, I actually met a Chinese social worker who was actively involved in advocating for the needs of orphaned children with special needs through promoting inter-country adoption. It was through her work, that I realized my dreams about continuing my education in social work so that I can continue to advocate for the needs and human rights of orphaned children.

Travelogue - Luke Zitterkopf

Travelogue - Luke Zitterkopf

This collaborative mapping assignment has to be one my favorite assignments this semester.   The journey that I have experienced learning about how different communities all around the globe have impacted social justice and human rights has definitely been an eye opener as Aya and Stephanie had pointed out.  This has been a rewarding learning experience in that it has exposed me to the impact social workers are making a global change to planet earth!

I was excited to read about the Kidsave program in Russia.  Having children myself, it pains me to read and to see children put into institutions.  I was pleased to read the direction this organization has taken with the children in Russia.  I was glad to see that they are effectively placing children from institution into permanent families.  Their approach seems similar to the adoption agencies in the states.  The biggest difference that I saw was that they had orphaned children spend time with families during the summer, holidays, and weekends.  These visits created fertile ground for the children to experience life in a family and provided the host families with the opportunity to further to get to know the children.

I appreciated reading about the Abuelas program in Argentina that provides the opportunity for displaced families to search privately and confidentially for their lost loved ones.  Unfortunately there are many displaced families around the world.  I love how this organization is helping reunite lost family members.  By reuniting these families, Argentina is building stronger communities of families thus providing a better environment for their future populations to grow.

Travelogue - Stephanie Borts

Since the other section had already done this activity, I opened up the map and was immediately overwhelmed with what was already posted. I started looking through the various countries that people had tagged on the map, and immediately my excitement and passion for travel and international work started bubbling up, reminding me again why I chose this field of work. As Jenny had mentioned in her previous comment, there are social workers literally working to save the world, and this map is a very strong visual representation of that fact.

Being so overwhelmed with a busy-looking map, and my excitement, I tried to figure out a way that would calm my down and best reflect all of my interests. I decided to look at Montreal (it being my home and hope to return), Burlington (because I like it here and would consider staying), and Uganda (because I really want to travel more of the African continent and know a few people who have been there).

Dans La Rue in Montreal is incredibly popular, building over the past 30 years from the small van to the camper and two buildings. Growing up in Montreal, it was always a place that I wanted to volunteer and/or work at, so this activity gave me a little more reason to look into them. Hands Vt. is an organization in Burlington run by a former social worker, that I happened to find online through researching places to donate to during the holidays. I really appreciate the work they are trying to do and will hopefully be volunteering with them this summer. Shanti Uganda is based in a village in Uganda, helping to serve and improve infants and mothers health. I really like their mission and values, and would love to see their work, ideas and strength spread.

I greatly enjoyed looking through the map at what classmates have found and what their interests are. This activity made me realize that social work is needed everywhere. I have always logically known this, but I realized that I too, like Aya mentioned, have had ‘blinders’ on. I have been lucky enough to travel a fair amount in my life, but most of the time I have not noticed any need for social services. Luke posted about AKIM in Israel, and by my having family there, I have visited quite a few times. I can honestly say that I never noticed a need, or a lack of need, for social services of any type. I always just visited family and had my ‘blinders’ on, not really paying attention to my surroundings. This realization makes me want to go back to everywhere I’ve been and really see, to truly experience life everywhere.

I don’t know where I will end up after finishing this program (one more year!!!), but this map has helped me realize that no matter where I go, I will always find something, someone to support or work for.

Travelogue - Aya

This exercise has been so mentally stimulating and what a great way to end the semester! It is such a pleasant reminder that transformative social work is not just something we "learn" at the MSW Program in Vermont, it is in action across the globe! One thing I love to do is to apply the things we learn in the classroom setting to real life experiences and examples. Sometimes it is easy for me to interpret and apply my education to the very specific and narrow scope of social work practice in which I work. This exercise was a wonderful way to remind myself that social work wears many faces, speaks many languages, and helps diverse populations. The one thread that I see as a commonality throughout these practices and organizations is a mission of empowerment, giving voice to the voiceless, and advocacy.

I am struck by how different locations on the globe reflect social work practices that are specific to local culture. For example, Deportes Para La Vida uses soccer as an intervention strategy to educate farmers on the importance of HIV/AIDS. World Comics Finland uses comic strips as a method of reaching out to target populations for educational purposes. Hospice Sondergard approaches hospice care through a family oriented lens. These are just a few examples of ways in which I was moved by the readings on the class map.

I chose three different countries with which I have personal ties, yet know little about their social work practices. My first choice was to research social services offered in Japan for victims of domestic violence. I chose this because I was raised in this country and witnessed first hand the prevalence of DV and the lack of resources available to women who are victims. Sadly, I was not surprised to find that the shelter I located on the map (HELP - Tokyo) identifies that only 50% of their services are provided to Japanese women . While I am glad to know there is an increasing acknowledgment around DV issues in my home country, it makes me sad to know that there are still so many women who are unable to reach out for support or shelter.

 My second choice was to research services available in Norway (I'm going there next week!). What a stark contrast that was to exploring the services in Japan! My husband talks to me often about the services in Norway that are offered to displaced persons (i.e. refugees). I was impressed to see the wide network that the Norwegian Refugee Council has created across the globe.

Lastly, I ventured my search for social service agencies into South America - Nicaragua. In my household, we talk a lot about moving to Nicaragua some day to live a simple life and escape the chaos that is western civilization. Discovering the serious and unacceptable health conditions of farm workers was a healthy reminder for me that a) social workers are needed all over the globe; and b) there are so many complex layers to all countries and cultures.

 It is so important to be educated on social justice issues across the world and make sure I take my "Vermont blinders" off on a more regular basis. Stepping back and exploring social work practice from a macro level is exciting yet can feel somewhat overwhelming. There are so many issues of social justice in the world, yet such a lack of attention to these injustices in our media, in our children's educations, in our own social constructions of "the world."

Thank you to all class members for a great semester and I am looking forward to seeing you next fall!

Welcome!

Welcome to the SWSS 213 

Collaborative Mapping Project Travelogue!

As part of their journey through the UVM MSW program,  the SWSS 213:  Social Work Practice II community has created a collaborative map of community social work practices and programs across the world.  You can visit the map here.  This group blog, or travelogue, is a place for SWSS 213 community members to share thoughts and reflections after taking individual journeys of exploration through the different global social work practice and programs shared on the map.