Twelve Days Reflective Journal.

Question

Week 1 to Week 6 Tuesday 30th July to Thursday 5th September, 2024
NOTE: Only 2 days (Tuesday & Thursday) were my working days for each week (6 weeks intensive training).

Description of events
During the first week, we were introduced to the sub divisions of community development: welfare, civil registry, youth and sports, disability, child protection and church partnership. During this first two days of the first week each division presented specific issues affecting community members or people. For instance, the welfare division highlighted challenges in married problems, while the civil registry division focused on the need for greater awareness about legal documentation and proper documentation of the cases.
On the other hand, disability division highlighted the accessibility barriers where many individuals with disabilities face such as inaccessible buildings, transportation, and public spaces, which limit their ability to fully participate in community life while youth and sports division emphasized on promoting and facilitating activities and programs, aimed at enhancing the well-being, development, and engagement of young people through sports and recreational activities.
Thus, my role involved participating in discussions and asking questions and gathering insights from each division on how they handle these issues and promote wellbeing of an individual.
Learning Experience
Hence, my first day orientation was a multifaceted learning experience, providing a comprehensive overview of the interconnectedness of these subdivisions within community development. Each area brought unique challenges and opportunities, highlighting the importance of collaboration, empathy, and proactive measures in fostering a thriving community. I left feeling inspired and eager to contribute to these vital initiatives, recognizing the impact that each subdivision has on the lives of individuals and families.
Knowledge Base
The knowledge that I usually learnt in class about collaboration and networking made me realized how different organizations can work together to address complex community issues highlighted the interdependence of the various subdivisions.
Skills
Also, I realized that active listening and critical thinking were essential social work behaviors. Engaging with clients required empathy and the ability to ask probing questions to understand their true needs.
Resource Material and Question for Supervision
During the orientation case studies and social work practice manuals were shown to us, and this assists my learning, providing real-world examples of successful interventions. Also, the supervisor provides us with book that contain the entire initial and the meaning of the initial word related to GBV.

Week 2: Tuesday 6th August to Thursday 5th September, 2024
During the 2nd week and other rest of the weeks or my 12 days intensive training with community development were all spent in front desk section, civil registry division. Thus, 7:50AM was my normal arrival time at Yanapa Gate. From 7:51AM to 8:40AM is the normal waiting time for the officers to arrive especially the front desk section officer but other officers from other divisions within community development usually come early around 8: AM or some minutes passed eight while front desk officers most times they come late.
However, while waiting for the front desk officers to arrive and open the front desk office door, around 8:AM I normally mopped the corridor floor of the office and collecting any rubbish both inside and outside of the community development area and bring it to the disposal area. Between these working days of second week was like my first week at work because first week was only the orientation week, and I spent a significant part of my time in the front desk section where this experience was both engaging and insightful, offering a unique perspective on the intersection of community services and administrative operations. As part of my training, I was assigned to the front desk, which served as the first point of contact for clients seeking assistance.
Hence, one of the primary problems observed during my time at the front desk was the lack of awareness among community members regarding available services. Many individuals came in with specific needs but were often unsure of how those needs could be addressed through available community programs. Additionally, there was a noticeable gap in communication between the administration and the community or clients, leading to missed opportunities for support. Furthermore, my main responsibilities at the front desk included:
Greeting clients and visitors and assessing their needs by providing information to them upon their needs or any information deem important, assisting in filling out application forms for various services like Child Adoption Form, Tok Save Pas for Mediation, Counseling and I also did several police referrals on the cases where children have been abducted under the great supervision of my front desk officers which I also maintained records of inquiries and follow-ups.
Additionally, as a trainee, my role was primarily observational, but I was encouraged to engage actively with clients, offering support and information when possible. This experience allowed me to develop my communication skills and gain a deeper understanding of community dynamics.
Consequently, during the training, I encountered a variety of situations when I spoke with individual clients from different backgrounds, each with unique challenges. For instance, a family seeking GBV assistance particularly on sexual abuse which I had to think on my feet, providing immediate solutions where possible, such as directing or referring clients to the correct service or procedures to follow and lay their complaints to police stations or seeking help at hospitals to provide necessary documents in order for their case to be solved.
Also, I learned the importance of maintaining accurate records, and I started implementing a better filing system for inquiries, which helped in improving our follow-up processes.
As a result, of my experience I became more confident in conveying information succinctly and clearly which I gained a better understanding of available community programs, which I could relay to those in need.
Moreover, the front desk experience lasted throughout the weeks of my training, with significant learning outcomes observed as I interacted with clients daily. The intensive nature of the training, spanning 12 days, allowed for immersion in the community development context, reinforcing the significance of effective communication and resource management. In addition,
Throughout this training, I experienced a range of emotions. Initially, I felt overwhelmed by the breadth of information and the diverse needs within the community. However, as the weeks progressed, I became more engaged and motivated. I felt a strong sense of purpose when working with participants from different backgrounds, especially when discussing issues related to women and youth.
Overall, my time at the front desk was pivotal in shaping my understanding of community development. It highlighted the critical role of frontline workers in bridging gaps between services and the clients, ultimately reinforcing the importance of effective communication in fostering community relationships. This experience underscored the idea that addressing clients’ needs goes beyond service provision; it requires active engagement, empathy, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Additionally, the training was enlightening and impactful. The sessions on welfare and disabilities stood out, highlighting the pressing issues faced by marginalized groups. While I benefited from the hands-on workshops, I found some lectures to be too theoretical, which made it challenging to connect with real-world applications. The collaborative discussions, however, fostered a supportive environment that allowed for rich exchanges of ideas.
Most importantly, I have learned that true community development hinges on collaboration, respect, and a heartfelt commitment to listening and learning from those we seek to support. As I reflect on this experience, I am motivated to continue this work, equipped with empathy and a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in fostering meaningful change.

summarize the above work to one single paragraph

Answer 1

During my intensive six-week training in community development from July 30 to September 5, 2024, I gained invaluable insights into various subdivisions including welfare, civil registry, youth and sports, disability, child protection, and church partnership. The orientation week provided a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities within these areas, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and empathy in promoting community well-being. My role at the front desk of the civil registry division allowed me to witness firsthand the lack of awareness among community members about available services, as well as the crucial need for effective communication between administration and clients. Throughout my time there, I engaged actively with diverse clients, learned to provide immediate solutions to their needs, and improved our inquiries filing system. This experience highlighted the role of frontline workers in bridging gaps between services and clients, reinforcing the significance of effective communication in fostering community relationships. Overall, my training underscored the essence of collaboration, respect, and a commitment to listening and learning from those we aim to support, motivating me to continue my work in community development equipped with greater empathy and understanding.