Social work students, teachers to offer services at quarantined colonies
   Date :03-Apr-2020

MASWE_1  H x W:
The delegation of MASWE members holding discussions with the District Collector Ravindra Thakre.
 
 
By Ajay Mardikar :
 
 
The students and teachers from three social work colleges in Nagpur have come up to serve the people held up due to lockdown, following coronavirus outbreak. The team of 54 students and six teachers will start working from April 3, with the consent of District Collector Ravindra Thakre. A delegation of Maharashtra Association of Social Work Educators (MASWE) held discussion with Thakre on Thursday. They informed Thakre that a team of students and teachers from Tirpude College of Social Work, Bhaiyyaji Pandharipande National College of Social Work and Kumbhalkar Social Work Evening College is ready to serve those in need during this period of crisis. MASWE office bearers Dr Vijay Shingnapure, Dr Swati Dharmadhikari, Dr Anant Barde, Dr Sanjay Fulkar and Dr Vilas Ghode, held discussion with Thakre.
 
Besides helping the people in getting essential items and medicines, etc., at their residence, the students and teachers will help them in extending counselling services. The 54 students are MSW final year students, who have studied counselling, as a part of their curriculum. They will be guided by their teachers. MASWE Founder President Dr Ambadas Mohite has informed The Hitavada that the group of the students and teachers will be connected through WhatsApp group and will be able to have conference using Zoom Call. The group has also been instructed to prepare ‘Dos and Dont’s’ while working in the field.
 
They will also be guided from time to time for taking preventive measure for themselves and also inform the persons they are meeting, through this WhatsApp group. The social work colleges had already made the team of students and Thakre wanted them to start working right from Friday. The need for counselling to the people quarantined was felt necessary. Remaining confined to a room without any personal contact, for 14 days, is a difficult task for any human being.
 
The psychological problems they face is being taken care of. The team of students and teachers have understood the real meaning of social work intervention and extended help to the Government machinery. Thakre also stated that some Government agencies like Bharosa Cell of Police Force can also be involved in the counseling process. Thakre welcomed the initiative of MASWE and stated that it will be a part of Disaster Management mission and will be of utmost importance. The team members will be issued special identity cards to facilitate their working in the field.