Barangay Nangka and Its People

Our country is one of the many of those that are considered a 3rd world country. For a long time, the Philippines has suffered many cases of poverty. For a long time, the country has also long searched for solutions that can address this problem. In our opinion, the problem is politicians look at this issue via a macro approach. A big problem like this should be taken little by little. As HUMSS students we think that we should start small and look at this problem with a micro approach. Students like us with little capabilities for change will start little as well. We start with the barangay. 

Barangay Nangka is one of the 14 barangays in Marikina City. It is located in the northern part of Metro Manila near Montalban and San Mateo. The reason for its name is because the town was previously surrounded by so many langka trees. This blog focuses on the different problems encountered and solutions done in the barangay with relation to social work.

PROBLEMS

Like any other barangay different problems arise but in Nangka the general problem that is usually encountered is poverty. During the time of Mayor Bayani Fernando the people who lived along the riverbank of the Marikina river he asked them to be relocated. Some of them were displaced in the lower area of Barangay Nangka, near the river area. Due to this poverty became a problem in Barangay Nangka. 

After poverty, the problems will follow, and one of them is unemployment. With unemployment, the problem of the lack of money will follow. 

Since there is lack of money children of these unemployed parents could not afford to send them to school. These out of school youth will have nothing to do and thus they could lead to desperate measures just to earn money for their family. These kids could turn to crime just so they can earn money and there arises the problem of children in conflict with the law. In Nangka the problems are a continuous cycle. If a person is unemployed he/she would have money problems and would not be able to provide for his/her family. Because they cannot provide then their kids would not be able to go to school. No school for the kids means no proper form of education which could lead to them committing crimes. Then arises the main problem which is poverty.

PROGRAMS

Of course, where there are problems there must be solutions. Feeding programs happen quite frequently at the barangay and volunteers and local government officials handle these feeding programs. Health workers also the weigh the kids and check their health. They also teach the parents particularly the women how Malunggay despite the fact that it doesn’t taste anything can really be nutritious for the kids. 

The local government also provides different forms of help that can help them with their education. Those kids who are in conflict with the law, once they are done with their sentence are sent to Alternative Learning System (ALS). There is also free tuition fee provided for the students in Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina. This way students can get jobs once they are done studying and be able to provide for themselves and their families. Lastly, daycare centers are found in different areas of the barangay. In the daycare centers, there are also feeding programs for the kids and everything is FREE. This way parents would not have an excuse to send their kids. The parents are also taught different livelihood skills while their kids are at the daycare center. Mostly focus on cooking and sometimes even making of dish-washing soaps. 

Other than that the barangay has partnered with different NGO’s and foundations that donate school supplies and uniforms to kids who dropped out so that they can send their kids to school again. Usually, these programs are conducted in the lower part of Nangka near the Nangka River. This is usually where poverty is most evident in the barangay. Of course, the barangay usually reaches out to those who are unemployed and those kids who dropped out of school.

NEEDED PROGRAMS

Based on the interview we had with the Barangay official, because of the major issues that they have shared to us, it can be concluded that they still need more programs regarding these issues which are mainly about education, unemployment, livelihood and such. Below are the programs that the Barangay stated they need to address the social issues that they are still currently facing:

I. Education and Livelihood Programs

Aside from the free education given by the local government and the support given to ALS and day-care centers, the Barangay said that they also need programs which would mainly help adults on how to plan, market, budget their capital, and sell their products so as to have a proper livelihood for their families.

Another program that they need in line with education is that volunteers should also teach morals and values to both the children and adults as well so as to avoid further conflicts within their community. 

II. Health Programs

Since one of their current issues includes malnutrition and that Barangay Nangka is considered to be the top 5 highest number of under and overweight children among the other barangays in Marikina, they need a program which would ensure the health and safety of the children living within their barangay. 

Aside from health workers checking some houses to weigh children, they also need a program wherein the health of these kids would be observed especially the ones who are really in need of medication. They should be given free check-ups and medicines that are essential for them to keep themselves healthy.

III. Youth and Women Empowerment Programs

Other programs which the barangay also wants to focus on is youth empowerment since it is inevitable for some youth to commit crimes in their community. It is needed for them to have a program wherein the young ones would be able to instill the values that they have learned. Counselling and rehabilitation can also be included in such programs especially to those who are involved in major crime issues.

Their barangay would also like to acknowledge the voice of the women in their society, especially the ones who are abused and mistreated. Aside from the anti-teenage pregnancy program that they offer, they can also offer programs where catcalling should not be tolerated and women should be treated with respect, same goes with men. 

Additionally, if given the chance to ask help from social workers, they have mentioned that since Barangay Nangka is a very big barangay, they need some social workers to connect with their people to determine what they need particularly, emotionally.

They also want them to help their barangay or government officials how to prioritize especially in solving the issues that they have in their community. Also, by conducting seminars and talks to the people they can help know the root cause of their problems.

CONCLUSION

Overall, based from the interview that we have with Barangay Nangka, it can be concluded that even though they already offer various and many programs that would help to address their issues, there is still a need for improvement regarding these programs. 
One of which is the livelihood programs since most of the family, which were given small capital, are still struggling to budget and handle their products. It implies that they still need a background on marketing strategy so as for them to have a stable livelihood which then can provide their family needs. Programs about receiving jobs after the students’ education could also be provided since they have mentioned that most of their people have unstable jobs.  

Another program that we think that needs improvement is regarding the people’s health since it is known that malnutrition is widespread in their area. With this, it should serve as a way for them to be aware that they need to enhance their health programs to reduce the ill condition that most of their children have. 

And even though they receive help from the government itself already, they also need help from social workers as well particularly them checking on their people and conducting a research in their barangay in order for the government to be aware of what are the other things that they need. Moreover, despite having only one social worker in their barangay, they themselves admit that this does not necessarily discourage them to not help each other since they shared that everyone in their barangay is willing and ready to help and give services.

With this information, we can understand the problems at hand. Putting this on a blog will also let others see the reality in these barangays. Not only HUMSS students can help and bring our barangay, city, region, and country to progress. Volunteering as help for these programs can help a lot. Even teaching to the kids can also inspire them to be catalysts for change. As long as you are willing to make a change and contribute to the society it will matter.

Interview with the barangay official:

   

Reference:

History of Barangay Nangka (n.d) Retrieved from:

http://www.marikenya.com/2008/09/history-of-barangay-nangka-of-marikina-city/ 

In love with the feeling

Have you ever felt so happy after lending your helping hand to some people? Do you ever get that overwhelming feeling after opening the door for an old woman, after giving your leftover to the street children, after gladly helping your classmate with their homework and such generous acts? Well, I hope so because every time we do things to help someone with willingness, there is this certain feeling in our chest, that burst of joy coming from our hearts because we know for a fact that we actually did something kind and genuine despite living in a chaotic world. 

For some people, they feel that way every day. They feel it because of their chosen career, and these people are called as social workers. They help people on a daily basis by empowering them. Of course, their tasks are not as simple as opening doors for the elderly, but rather their job is considered a profession. This profession mainly focuses on helping the marginalized. At the end of the day, social workers feel that “bursting of the heart with joy” knowing that they are able to help others wholeheartedly. Want to feel that feeling? Read on and we’ll give you a crash course on everything you need to be a social worker.

DEFINITION 

According to the Canadian Association of Social Workers, Social work is a profession concerned with helping individuals, families, groups, and communities to enhance their individual and collective well-being as well as the quality of life. It aims to help them develop and enhance their skills and abilities to be able to use their own resources to resolve personal and community problems. The social work profession also promotes social change, problem-solving when it comes to human relationships and the empowerment of each individual to enhance their well-being. Unlike other ‘helping jobs’ social work puts emphasis on social justice and also looks at the person’s environment. Social work is not just concerned with a person’s individual well-being but it is also concerned with broader social issues such as poverty, unemployment, and domestic violence. 

SETTINGS AND AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION 

Social workers cover a range of fields that they would mainly focus on. They can also work in the government, school, private companies, civil society and in the community. It depends on where they want to work and who are the people they want to help.

1. Family and Child welfare include services to be able to help families and to guide the parents in raising their children.

2. Health 

includes social workers helping patients and their families. Social workers also help them in gaining access to different health care services especially those who are poor.

3. Mental health is about social workers dealing with patients or individuals with mental and emotional shortcomings.

4. Corrections is the area social workers are concerned with the prevention of crime and the healing or rehabilitation of the criminals.

5. Schools - social workers who are employed in schools focus on helping students with disabilities or who are having mental health struggles. They also help the students who are having difficulties in school. 

COMPETENCIES

As a social worker, you must have these competencies to be able to be an effective social worker.

1. Think critically - to give proper and well-educated judgments to your clients

2. Build and sustain relationships – to be able to establish rapport with colleagues and your clients

3. Execute empowering processes- encourage your clients and teach them new skills for them to be empowered and effective members of society.

4. Use practical method – complex problems do not always need a complex approach, therefore, you should know simple methods that can help their problems.

5. Analyze policies – for you to know what else can be done or implemented to help your clients and for you to advocate changes in these policies especially if they do not serve their benefits.

6. Communicate effectively – communicate properly with your clients for them to fully grasp what your trying to comprehend

7. Strong cultural and intercultural competence - as a social worker you will be dealing with different types of people that have different cultural backgrounds.

8. Good computer literacy – in the age of technology social workers must know how to use technology in an efficient way to help their clients.

9. Conduct research – research is important for you to discover new approaches to handling your cases.

10. Do social planning – to create a healthier community and promote unity among each other.

11. Perform crisis intervention – to know how to help clients when it comes to their problems and provide temporary solutions.

12. Sound time management - balance your time well because there will be cases of emergency that you will be called.

13. Detach yourself – at the end of the day, you need to separate yourself from your job.

CORE VALUES

Of course, it is also essential for Social Workers to maintain good values within them which they then apply in their lives and profession as well.

1. A social worker must be compassionate not only to their clients but also to themselves.

2. A social worker must have the value of service and they must perform their work not just for the sake of doing it.

3. Social workers must perform their job while taking into consideration social justice. They must ensure that everyone is to be treated equally.

4. Dignity and work of the human person is a value that makes sure, social workers treat each person with respect no matter what or who they are.

5. Social workers should give importance to human relationships since they will be working with other professionals and also establish relationships with their clients.

6. Social workers must value integrity and maintain their professionalism to avoid further conflicts.

7. Social workers must have competence because it separates social caregiving from social work professional practices.

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As HUMSS students, one of the privileges we have is the chance to visit different communities and places showcasing the life of a SOCIAL WORKER.

 MARIKINA YOUTH HOME

Marikina Youth Home is a well-known establishment in Marikina City where juveniles, who committed delinquent acts, are temporarily placed in as a consequence of the violation(s) that they have done against the law. Moreover, most of its clients are either boys or girls, belonging to the minor age group which means that the people placed here are 18 years old and below. It somewhat serves as a rehabilitation area wherein it aims to help the children to reintegrate themselves by strengthening their values through different activities and to help them become productive members of society once again.

Ms. Shelly, a social worker in the said establishment, shared some of her experiences in Marikina Youth Home and some additional information about her chosen profession. Based on observation with regards to her job as a social worker, she is very committed to it and she does her job passionately and professionally. Knowing that she deals with minor people it can be concluded that being a social worker is not an easy thing to do since it requires more patience than you could ever imagine. It also involves more understanding since you should know how to manage and treat each individual well. She also mentioned some cases that most of the juveniles are involved in, cases which are associated with issues in the usage of drugs, robbery, addiction, rape and etc. But she also shared that the children are not entirely to blame for their violations and that despite all these mistakes, they would still like to help these children, who were “naligaw sa landas,” because she believes that the youth are really the hope of our future.

At first, it is hard to accept and to think that these minors are capable of committing such crime but come to think of it, one reason as to why they have done unexpected crimes is the fact that they are the unfortunate ones who grew in an environment that did not show them enough love. With that thought, there is this sudden realization of appreciating whatever it is that you have in your life. Not all of us are privileged enough to be loved by our own parents and to grow up in an environment that is safe. Not all are lucky to be taught such values that would help to build ourselves. The adolescents there at the youth home lack so much in their lives and hearing their personal experiences and stories gives us no right to complain about our struggles in life, which now leads to the thought of acceptance. We all know for a fact that each and every one of us has a different story with different experiences. It is now our responsibility to know these stories in order for us to be educated and to be aware of these types of situations. Knowing their stories would now help us to accept them and consider them still as normal people like us regardless of their wrongdoings and violations. They are just like us in a way that some of them still have goals and dreams in life as well. We must then accept the fact that they are not entirely different from us and thus also needs special care. One lesson which can be acquired as well with this is to never forget the values that we have learned throughout our life and to outlive them.

As citizens, it is our obligation to think of the welfare of each and everyone most especially the youth. As young as we are, it is beneficial for us to be socially aware on the different kind of issues evident in our community concerning not only politicians, employees, but also the youth and the minor for it to be an eye-opener to all. It will help to see the reality of what life is. As the privileged ones, it is also our duty to share what we have with them. But at the end of the day, we can only be the support that they need because it is them who can truly help themselves.

CAMILLUS MEDHAVEN

Camillus Medhaven was formerly known as the St. Camillus Home of Charity. Before it was a shelter or center for abandoned people with disabilities but today, it is now a popular nursing home or shelter for the elderly located in Marikina Heights. 

Aside from being a shelter for the elderly, it promotes as well the welfare of the disabled children within Marikina City and through Rehabilitation Programs it helps the children with their rehabilitation process. When it comes to other activities, there are times that they would a holy mass and some of the clients who are strong enough and are able to move still would participate.  Additionally, some of the elderly placed in the center are those whose families do not give that much attention to them, the reason for these elderly to be put in the center instead. Others, however, decided on their own to stay in such nursing home since they do not want to be a burden to their family by providing their needs and taking care of them. But despite being abandoned or left there by their family members, they are still given their basic needs such as food, shelter, and medication by the caregivers.

 The caregivers and the other staff are said to be attentive and gentle with the seniors that they are taking care of and the establishment itself makes sure that there are enough caregivers for the senior citizens in order to guarantee that all of them are given enough attention and service. Moreover, based on observation, the students who visited Camillus Medhaven said that they saw how service-oriented these caregivers are since they really see to it that their clients are in always in good condition in every situation. The caregivers of the said shelter also provide services such as checking the health of the elderly in order for them to provide the medical needs of these senior citizens especially those who need post-operation medication. They are like the extended family of these elderly since they are now the ones who give assistance, look out and take care of them. Unlike other nursing homes, the facilities in Camillus Medhaven such as its bedrooms and comfort rooms are better in a way that it ensures the health and safety of its people but most importantly, the elderly and it can be said also that they maintain such cleanliness in their place.

ST. MARIA DE MATTIAS CENTER

 St. Maria De Mattias Center is a non-governmental organization which was a center before that only accepts minor girls in their institution. After some time because of a deaf baby’s arrival in their place, they now provide services also for non-hearing girls. Their services include free education for the girls by paying their tuition fee until they are in Senior High School. For the deaf girls, they only accept limited ones since education for deaf people is expensive. Tutorials in Math, English and even musical instruments are also given to their clients. Providing education will help them prepare for the future to become more independent as they are released from the center. 

They also provide basic needs such as meals which are given every day. The food that they usually serve for the girls are fresh vegetables harvested in their garden. In this way, it can be concluded that they really feed their clients with healthy and fresh food. The leftover foods are then used as fertilizers in the garden as well which concludes that their community is eco-friendly, it was also observed that they use recycled materials. Moreover, they also give services to the parents by teaching Christian values formation. However, there are also rules in their center and one is that the girls must maintain high grades in school in order to continue having free education and two, the parents should at least give a contribution to the community. Some of the clients clarified that St. Maria De Mattias Center is not really an orphanage since they are not staying in the center 24/7, meaning they still go home and it is the responsibility of the parents to secure the safety of their children.

One social worker in their community, Sir Jonathan, shared his experiences with his profession.  He told the students who were able to visit the area that he wanted to become a seaman at first but then realized that he is not that happy being a seaman, the reason for him to study again which then leads to him becoming a social worker. Despite the thought that he receives a lesser amount of salary as a social worker he still chose to become one and now, he helps the oppressed and marginalized. This simply proves that money cannot really buy true happiness. 

With his story, it can be said that being a social worker also involves selflessness since they think of others first before themselves and they are not greedy in a way that they only think of the salary that they receive. They would focus more on the outcome of their clients through their help rather than their income. One value that can be acquired as well is that we must know how to treat each other as a family by showing compassion to one another because through this, we can all live in peace and harmony.

To be a social worker would be such a rewarding feeling. Every day you will be able to feel that burst of happiness in your heart, knowing that you were able to help someone be in a much better situation. Sure this job is hard and there are times that you will get burnouts or you could fail your cases but every job has their pros and cons. In the world today that is wrapped in so much evil we need people who can help those in need, challenge the unjust system, & eliminate prejudices in society. Being a social worker will help you feel as if a modern-day hero because of the work you do for others. A social worker may as well be any job but the significant difference is that for the majority of your job you feel as if you’re not doing it for yourself, but you’re doing it for others. That overwhelming feeling of your heart exploding in happiness will never go away if you be a social worker. To be a social worker is not easy but it is for sure worth it.

References:

• https://casw-acts.ca/en/what-social-work
• http://cdn.basw.co.uk/upload/basw_95243-9.pdf
• https://www.socialworkguide.org/
• Sampa, E.M. (2017). Disciplines and Ideas in Applied Social Sciences.