Reflective Journal: 6-Week Intensive Training with Community Development Welfare Division Focused on Counseling, Mediation, Child Maintenance, and Child Neglect

Question

Week One
Understanding the role of the welfare division, during my first week of intensive training, I was introduced to the fundamental roles of the welfare division, which encompasses various functions, including counseling, mediation for married couples, child maintenance, and addressing child neglect. These components are crucial in fostering family stability and well-being within the community.
As I learned about these areas, I felt a strong pull towards the counseling and mediation aspects, particularly recognizing how effective communication could redefine relationships for married couples. I aimed to develop skills that would allow me to facilitate constructive dialogue between partners, which would ultimately promote healthier family dynamics.
Week Two
Counseling and mediation for married couples, in the second week, I had the opportunity to observe and participate in counseling sessions with couples facing marital difficulties. I realized that effective mediation required not only strong communication skills but also an ability to remain neutral and empathetic towards both partners.
My role involved helping couples articulate their feelings and perspectives while guiding them toward collaborative problem-solving. One key factor contributing to this experience understood the emotional nuances involved in marital relationships. I quickly learned that providing a safe space for open dialogue could alleviate tensions, allowing couples to work through their issues together rather than as adversaries.
I aimed to achieve a sense of resolution and understanding between partners, encouraging them to focus on solutions rather than blame. The outcomes were often rewarding, as I witnessed couples leave with renewed hope for their relationships.

Week Three
Child maintenance issues, as I progressed into the third week, discussions about child maintenance became a focal point. Many families struggle with financial support for children, leading to tensions between separated or divorced couples. I assisted in mediating between parents to reach fair agreements regarding child maintenance, ensuring that the children's needs were prioritized.
Understanding the psychological impact of financial instability on families became an essential aspect of my intervention. I aimed to facilitate discussions that supported a cooperative approach to parenting even amidst personal challenges. This work required patience and an emphasis on the child's welfare, often leading to more amicable outcomes that benefitted all parties involved.
The experience underscored the importance of considering each parent's situation and emotional state, as financial debates could quickly escalate into disagreements that jeopardized cooperative parenting. My intervention focused on promoting empathy and reminding parents of their shared responsibility for their children.
Week Four
Addressing child neglect, in week four, the training shifted focus towards some of the more severe issues I encountered, particularly child neglect. I was involved in discussions and interventions aimed at identifying and addressing cases where children lacked necessary care and support.
Reflecting on my experiences in this arena emphasized the necessity of community awareness and vigilance. Understanding the signs of neglect both physical and emotional became crucial as we sought to offer support not only to the children but also to their families. I learned to conduct sensitive interviews and assessments, advocating for resources that could assist struggling parents while protecting their children’s welfare.
Intervening in cases of child neglect was daunting, yet I found satisfaction in advocating for those who could not advocate for themselves. The emotional toll it takes on individuals involved in these cases cannot be understated, and balancing the need for action with compassion became a key learning point during this week.
Week Five
Challenges and success, throughout this week, I faced numerous challenges while dealing with child protection cases including neglect and issues of family dynamics. In one particularly emotional case, my mediation efforts highlighted the complexities of parental roles and expectations. Collaborating with social workers and mental health professionals, we approached the case holistically, taking into account the psychological factors at play.
Through both the counseling and mediation processes, there were moments of revelation among the couples, as well as critical discussions around neglect that sometimes led to more profound family crises. However, engaging with clients meant that I witnessed moments of growth parents realizing the harm of their behaviors and the pathways to change. Successful interventions resulted in families reconnecting and working collaboratively towards healthier futures.
Week Six
Reflection on the impact and future aspirations, as my training concluded, I reflected on the diverse roles within the welfare division, particularly in counseling, mediation, child maintenance, and neglect. I realized that my interventions were not isolated but rather part of a larger system aimed at fostering healthier communities.
This journey solidified my understanding of the intricate dynamics individuals and families navigate. Each counseling session, mediation meeting, and intervention involving child neglect taught me that patience, empathy, communication, and a commitment to lifelong learning are essential for effective practice.
Looking ahead, I aspire to become an even more effective advocate for families in distress while continuously enhancing my skills in mediation and counseling. I aim to positively influence individuals and families by providing them with the tools to create a sustainable, nurturing environment for themselves and their children. The experience has not only shaped my career path but has also deepened my commitment to community welfare and the essential role it plays in societal health.

GETTING TO KNOMW YOUR ORGANIZATION
In a heartfelt interview, Siviri Lalave, a community development advisor, shares her story shaped by personal challenges. After the painful loss of her mother and growing up in an adopted home, Siviri felt inspired to pursue a career in social work. This was strengthened during a visit to her aunt, who worked as a welfare officer, where she saw mothers and children seeking help.
Siviri earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from the University of Papua New Guinea in 1990, followed by a Master’s degree in Social Administration and Community Development from the University of Queensland in Australia. Influential professors and dedicated volunteers during her studies taught her the importance of being professional in social work, caring for people's needs, and focusing on what the clients require.
Over her years of experience as a social worker, Siviri has learned valuable lessons. These include guiding clients to find their own solutions instead of giving direct advice, understanding the power of empathy in counseling, and the need to manage emotions effectively. Looking ahead, she hopes to open her own counseling service to help even more people.
The organization where Siviri works has an interesting history, starting in 1989 as a social welfare office. It has grown into a government body under the Eastern Highlands Provincial Administration, specifically in the Department of Community Development and Religion. Its mission is to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities in the Eastern Highlands Province by encouraging active participation in community development. The organization dreams of helping create happy, healthy, and productive individuals and families in safe and supportive communities.
Currently, this organization has 12 staff members at its provincial headquarters and 14 district officers. It engages with various community groups, including youth, women, people with disabilities, children, and church organizations, through different programs that aim to enhance social welfare.
The organization includes several divisions, such as Disability, Sports, Youth, Civil Registry, Church Partnership, Welfare, and Child Protection. As an important part of the social service sector within the provincial government, it focuses on helping communities rather than making a profit, especially in rural areas. Through its many programs and services, the organization works hard to bring about positive change and growth in the lives of the people it serves.

Summarize the above work in to single paragraph each

Answer 1

Week One: During the first week of my intensive training with the Community Development Welfare Division, I gained an understanding of its fundamental roles, which include counseling, mediation for married couples, child maintenance, and addressing child neglect. I felt particularly drawn to the counseling and mediation components, recognizing the potential for effective communication to enhance relationships, and I aimed to develop skills that would help facilitate constructive dialogues among couples to promote healthier family dynamics.

Week Two: In the second week, I observed and participated in counseling sessions, realizing that successful mediation requires neutrality, empathy, and strong communication skills. My role involved helping couples express their feelings and work toward collaborative problem-solving. I learned that creating a safe space for open dialogue could alleviate tension, guiding couples to focus on resolutions rather than blame, leading to rewarding outcomes as they left with renewed hope for their relationships.

Week Three: The third week centered on child maintenance issues, where I facilitated discussions aimed at reaching fair agreements between separated or divorced parents regarding financial support for their children. Understanding the psychological impact of financial instability on families became essential, and I aimed to foster cooperation by promoting shared responsibility for the children's welfare, emphasizing empathy to prevent conflicts from escalating and ensuring amicable outcomes.

Week Four: In week four, the focus shifted to addressing child neglect, where I engaged in discussions and interventions aimed at identifying cases lacking adequate care and support. I learned to conduct sensitive assessments and advocated for resources to assist struggling parents while prioritizing child welfare. This experience underscored the importance of community awareness regarding neglect and taught me to balance compassion with the need for decisive action in advocating for vulnerable children.

Week Five: Throughout this week, I faced challenges related to child protection and family dynamics. One particularly emotional case emphasized the complexities of parental roles and collaboration among social workers and mental health professionals. Despite the difficulties, I witnessed moments of growth among parents recognizing the damage their behaviors caused and pathways to change, resulting in successful interventions that helped families reconnect and work collaboratively toward healthier outcomes.

Week Six: As my training concluded, I reflected on the diverse roles within the welfare division and the impact of my interventions within the larger community framework. This journey deepened my understanding of the challenges families face, highlighting the importance of patience, empathy, and communication in effective practice. Looking ahead, I aspire to enhance my skills in mediation and counseling to advocate more effectively for families in distress and contribute positively to community welfare and well-being.

Getting to Know Your Organization: Siviri Lalave, a community development advisor, shared her personal journey that inspired her to pursue a career in social work following the loss of her mother and her upbringing in an adopted home. Her educational path included a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and a Master's degree in Social Administration and Community Development. With years of experience, Siviri emphasizes guiding clients to find their solutions and the importance of empathy in counseling, with aspirations to open her own counseling service in the future. The organization where she works, established in 1989, has grown into a government body under the Eastern Highlands Provincial Administration, focusing on improving individual and community lives through active participation in development, with various staff members engaged in supporting diverse community groups across several divisions such as Disability, Youth, and Child Protection.