The  Seven  Principles  of  Kwanzaa

Together We Can

Kwanzaa is centered around seven principles (called Nguzo Saba in Swahili). They are:

Umoja  (Unity)

Umoja (OO-MO-JAH) Unity stresses the importance of togetherness for the family and the community, which is reflected in the African saying, "I am We" or "I am because We are"

Kujichagulia  (Self-Determination)

Kujichagulia (KOO-GEE-CHA-GOO-LEE-YAH) Self-Determination requires that we define our common interests and make decisions that are in the best interest of our family and community.

Ujima  (Collective  Work  and  Responsibility)

Ujima (OO-GEE-MAH) Collective Work and Responsibility reminds us of our obligation to the past, present and future, and that we have a role to play in the community, society, and world.

Ujamaa  (Cooperative  Economics)

Ujamaa (OO-JAH-MAH) Cooperative economics emphasizes our collective economic strength and encourages us to meet common needs through mutual support.

Nia  (Purpose)

Nia (NEE-YAH) Purpose encourages us to look within ourselves and to set personal goals that are beneficial to the community.

Kuumba  (Creativity)

Kuumba (KOO-OOM-BAH) Creativity makes use of our creative energies to build and maintain a strong and vibrant community

Imani  (Faith)

Imani (EE-MAH-NEE) Faith focuses on honoring the best of our traditions, draws upon the best in ourselves, and helps us strive for a higher level of life for humankind, by affirming our self-worth and confidence in our ability to succeed and triumph in righteous struggle.

ASSOCIATION  OF  SCHOOLS  OF  SOCIAL  WORK  IN  AFRICA  (ASSWA)

celebrating WORLD SOCIAL WORK DAY 2015 PR0MOTING THE DIGNITY AND WORTH OF ALL PEOPLE

TAKING WSWD TO OUR STREETS OUR INSTITUTIONS OUR CLASSROOMS CONNECTING THE GLOBAL AND THE LOCAL

Professor Vishanthie Sewpaul, President of ASSWA, comments on the Conference in Bujumbura: The 1st international social work conference held in Burundi from 16-17 June 2015, with the street march sensitizing people to what social work is; the series of presentations culminating in the resolutions adopted by 240 delegates; and the PROSOWO2 workshop with the aim of developing provisions for the regulation of the social work profession and registration of social workers, and possibly MINIMUMgSTANDARDSgFORgSOCIALgWORKgEDUCATIONgANDgTRAINING gAREgALLgWATERSHEDgEXPERIENCESgFORg"URUNDI Congratulations to Jacqueline Murekasenge, Head of the Department of Social Work (and her team) and Sylvain Nzhabonayo, g2ECTORgOFg(OPEg!FRICAg5NIVERSITYgONgHOSTINGgANgEXCELLENTgCONFERENCEgg!337!gWASgPROUDgTOgBEgAgPARTNERINgTHISgEVENTgWITHg Helmut Spitzer of Carinthia University of Applied Sciences in Austria. Vishanthie Sewpaul and JanesticTwikirize, Vice-President of ASSWA represented ASSWA.

BUJUMBURA  DECLARATION

We the delegates, attending the Bujumbura International Social Work conference16-17 March 2015, hereby commit to:

cggggggggggggggggg-AXIMISEgTHEgUSEgOFg3OCIALg7ORKgVALUES gKNOWLEDGEgANDgSKILLSgTOWARDSgTHEgACHIEVEMENTgOFgTHE objectives of the Global Agenda, which are: Promoting social and economic equalities within countries and between countries Promoting the dignity and worth of all peoples Working towards environmental sustainability Strengthening recognition of the importance of human relationships

cggggggggggg#HALLENGEgALLgFORMSgOFgEXCLUSIONS gOPPRESSIONS gMARGINALISATIONS inequalities and poverty, linked to social criteria such as race, class, gender, ethnicity and rural-urban living. cgggggggggg-AINSTREAMgGENDERgANDgPROMOTEgGENDERgEQUALITYgINgALLgPOLICIES and in all spheres of practice. cgggggggggg3ERVEgASgCULTURALgMEDIATORSgASgWEgTUNEgINTOgTHEgLIFEgWORLDSgOFgPEOPLEg5SINGgUNDERSTANDINGSgDERIVED from such tuning in, social workers’ work towards the preservation and continuity of all that is positive and sublime of African cultures, while challenging and striving to make obsolete those that are violating of the human and the dignity of people. cgggggggggg2ECOGNISEgTHEgALIGNMENTgOFgTHEgPOLITICALgANDgETHICALgMANDATESgOFgTHEg3OCIALg7ORK profession and national development goals. We therefore call upon key Ministries and public sectors to collaborate with Social Work, via Schools/Programmes of Social Work at institutions of higher learning and National Social Work Practitioner and Educator bodies to achieve national development goals and objectives. cgggggggggg'IVEgVISIBILITYgTOgTHEg3OCIALg7ORKgPROFESSION Adopted on World Social Work Day 17 March 2015, Royal Palace Hotel, Bujumbura

Theresa Kaijage

. Thank you Theresa. Your reflections relate to the theme of the Global Agenda, PROMOTING THE DIGNITY AND WORTH OF PEOPLES in significant ways. Firstly it reminds us that we are all of God and that God resides in all beings –irrespective of race, class, gender, social status, culture, geographic location and so on and secondly that particular circumstances or illness do not define us. Theresa you raise important - usually unspoken and hidden - issues around identity, life, faith, death and what it means to be human. Theresa’s painful yet powerful personal reflections are reflective of her faith, strength and resilience.

FROM BEING AN ATTENDANT TO A CANCER PATIENT TO BEING A CANCER PATIENT - life goes on

How long I have left to live is not my concern, but how to make each day worth living and well lived In God we all trust, but in us all God also trusts that we are worth HIM, a masterpiece of his creation. Each day lived in trust that we are the best of God’s work, in sickness and in health, is a day well lived. As attendant to my husband, I saw not cancer but a man I loved, so now why in me. I have cancer but cancer does not have me. It does not own me and I will not let it control me. My God-given life is my own to own and I will not give cancer the privilege to lay claim on it. When I let go of my life let it not be because I have given in to cancer but because it is time to let go. My meaning of life is my own to construct. My life is my acceptance of what is, and what is not. Life is what lies in my past, my present, and what awaits me in the future If “nothingness” awaits me, then nothingness is the life I have lived; but nothing comes from nothing. Life is “something” special and it is timeless, from infinity to infinity. God is life, and God is timeless. God was, God is, therefore I am; God will always be, therefore I will always be with God. After all, I am a masterpiece of God’s own being -on a spectrum - an infinite line -no end either way Whether dead or alive in body, I live in God and with God, so why fear cancer or even death itself I am what I am in sickness and in health; that is something special - too hard for cancer to penetrate. Yes I am what we all are, special in the eyes of God, our Creator. Then why worry if our health fails us and our body, mind, and spirit appear incongruent. Let God be in CONTROL as always; let God have an UPPER hand and the LAST WORD as always.

UNIVERSITY OF KWA-ZULU NATAL TAKING WSWD TO THE STREETS AND OUR CLASSROOMS

Armed with placards and posters, the Social Work Student Association at UKZN organised a march from the King Dinizulu statue in Berea Road to the Durban City Hall in solidarity against women and child abuse. The students were displaying their dismay and anger at the high abuse rates as recorded in the KwaZulu Natal report on Women and Child Abuse and hoped to increase public awareness about such issues. Joining the students on the march and engaging in their World Social Work Day celebrations at the City Hall were government officials, Childline representatives, Department of Social Development councillors and members of the public. ‘We aligned the march with International Women’s Day and World Social Work Day in an effort to educate the public about women and child abuse. They need to realise this is a problem requiring urgent attention,’ said Mr Manqoba Mdamba of the Social Work Student Organisation. The Association provided infotainment about the issue of women and child abuse and took a pledge to be the best social workers they could be and to contribute to the betterment of communities and the country. Acting President of the Association, Mr Melusi Shabalala, hopes to mobilise men to take a stand against women and child abuse. ‘Women and children are the most vulnerable group and as men, we should take a role in combatting social ills such as rape and violence.

UKZN Social Work Students March Against Women and Child Abuse

We must bring back the dignity of men.’ Shabalala said the Association was now part of the Department of Social Development’s Social Ills Task Team in KwaZulu-Natal and was recognised by the University Student Representative Council (SRC) as a society, affording the Association greater power to make positive meaningful changes. ‘The Association has the potential to be great and to contribute to change but we are hindered by funding and we hope that the public and the UKZN community will heed our call to assist in any way they can,’ he said. Social Work Lecturer Dr Tanusha Raniga said: ‘We are very proud of the Social Work Student Association who spear-headed the organisation of the march. ‘This initiative was an effort to show our commitment to promote the dignity and worth of all peoples, one of the core pillars of the Global Agenda for social work and social development.’

FathimaYusuf Moolla 1st year student of SW at UKZN READ THE FOLLOWING IN CLASS I studied Arabic as a subject for eleven years of my schooling life and the language has made a huge impact on me and influenced a lot of who I am today. The following poem is inspired by an Arabic proverb, “ ” (MaaKhafiyyakaanaa’dham) meaning “what is (still) hidden is more than what has been revealed so far.” This saying has been a reminder of all the potential I hold and has been a comfort for when I have felt insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

Potential Have you ever sat and marvelled At the plethora of stars in the sky? Taken the time to wonder how We’re placed so strangely in time? Have you ever wondered how We’re supposed to live our lives? Because we think our voices are limited What’s the point in trying to strive? But let me impart to you what I’ve learnt I promise, it will be worthwhile It may change the way you think about The drift of our lifestyles.

“ ” What is hidden is much more Than what is about to come. 3OgDON`TgDWELLgONgYOURgEXISTENCE You’re worth more than you know You’re a current surging energy You’re a force that doesn’t slow. Don’t be scared if you can’t see it yet It may take time to find But don’t ever think you’re worthless There is potential in your design.

I am Royalty, I have a Destiny By: YakshaJabeer, SW 1 student UKZN Every time you open your mouth Words of hurt And spite And domination Start pouring out You think that I am inferior That I don’t know what to say You don’t realise That your opinion of me Is as vague as sunshine On a cloudy day

So what if I’m true to who I am. Despite what others may think? I’m built to be a ship that sails Not an anchor that sinks This world is my stage In which I play the main part For I am unique And a fine work of art I am created for a reason No matter what others may see Because I am Royalty And I have a destiny.

THE FOLLOWING REPRESENTS UNITY IN DIVERSITY – CELEBRATING DIFFERENT RELIGIONS, UKZN SW 1 student

WSWD in Nigeria

OYINLOLA Oluwagbemiga reports from Ibadan, Nigeria World Social Work Day 2015 was celebrated in grand style in the city of Ibadan. The programme started with a dignity walk to all relevant stakeholders in Oyo State, a courtesy visit was made to the Chief Medical Director of University College Hospital, then to the Director of University Health Services, University of Ibadan and finally to the Department of Social Work, University of Ibadan, where several practicing social workers in Nigeria were made and members were addressed by the Head of Department. We also had a dignity lecture, which took a different dimension by our own guest lecturer Dr. James Ayangunna he took members through the theme for this year social work day. One important lesson learnt from the lecture was that, integrity is important to promoting worth and dignity of the people we serve. We want to sincerely congratulate the President of the Association of School Social Workers in Africa, Vishanthie Sewpaul and the secretary general of the International Federation of Social Workers, Dr. Rory Truell on the celebration of WSWD 2015. We felicitate with all social workers in Africa and around the world.

Sam Slewion a representative of the North African region on the ASSWA EXCO speaks on protecting elderly women from gender-based violence

accusations in many African countries that are oppressive and dehumanizing to women, especially older women and children. Mr. Slewion, who is also Associate Professor and Chairman of the Social Work Department of the United Methodist University in Liberia, said while the international community can credit itself for adopting some conventions and proclamations for the protection of women, the world continues to witness millions of women, including older women, being subjected to gender-based violence, including witchcraft accusations against older women who are sometimes murdered or ostracized by their communities once accused of witchcraft. He said in some African countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, over 1000 older women and children alleged to be involved with witchcraft practices are forced to live in “witch camps” designated by their local governments to isolate them from their communities. “The conditions of the so called Witch Camps are inhumane and lack access to basic facilities and education for the children,” Mr. Slewion noted.

Mr. Slewion says thousands of older women are dehumanized in some African countries because of witchcraft allegations Many older women in Africa continue to be victims of gender-based violence despite the gains made by the international community to protect the rights of women and improve their socioeconomic and political conditions, says Sam Slewion, a social justice activist and Representative for Liberia for the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse(INPEA). Mr. Slewion made the observation on Wednesday, March 11, in New York, USA, as Representative of INPEA , which is based in Washington, DC, USA, when he served as one of the panelists at a forum at the UN Commission on the Status of Women Session 59 as part of activities in observance of International Women’s Day. The forum was held under the theme: “Witchcraft Accusations-Violence & Torture-Women and Children.” Mr. Slewion told the gathering, comprising mostly women, that while women rights activists and civil society organizations are basking in the EUPHORIAgOFgCELEBRATINGgTHEgGAINSgMADEgTOgIMPROVEgTHEgLIVESgOFgWOMENgWITHINgTHEgCONTEXTgOFgSOCIAL ECONOMIC gPOLITICALgANDgEDUCATIONgMOBILITY gITgISgDISHEARTENINGgTHATgTHEREgSTILLgEXISTSgPRACTICEgOFgWITCHCRAFTg

He said the victims of this continued witchcraft accusations seem to share similar profile despite which country they reside. “They are usually older women, poor (low economic status), widowed, childless, illiterate, do not have any male protector-son, husband, brother, and disabled and they live in rural communities,” he intimated.

The power of people...

UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG CELEBRATING WSWD He said the victims of this continued witchcraft accusations seem to share similar profile despite which country they reside. “They are usually older women, poor(low economic status), widowed, childless, illiterate, do not have any male protector-son, husband, brother, and disabled and they live in rural communities,” he intimated. Mr. Slewion, who is also consultant to the Coalition of Caregivers and Advocates for the Elderly in Liberia (COCAEL), then described the drivers of this continued use of violence against older women under the disguised of witchcraft accusations as the lack of a specific UN Convention to protect older people, the use of images in films and documentaries portraying older women as witchcrafts, most especially by African producers and the lack of political will and rule of law in many African countries to hold accountable those perpetrating such violence which is orchestrated mainly by men. Mr. Slewion acknowledged that many governments have made progress by abolishing practices that use “mob justice” and “voodoo justice” to punish older women and older men accused of witchcraft without any due process, but noted “we still have a long way to go to stop this uncivilized behavior outside of the rule of law because older women and children are still being accused of witchcraft and victimized.” He, therefore, called on the United Nations to listen to the “global voices” being led by the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP), urging that body to adopt a UN Convention for the protection of older people globally. “We have a moral responsibility to ensure that all women live their lives without fear and this can be manifested through the adoption of a specific UN Convention that protects older people, especially older women no matter which continent they live,” Mr. Slewion passionately appeal to the international body. He also reminded governments everywhere, especially in Africa, to protect the lives and rights of every citizen equally under the rule of law. ” We the members of the civil society community must also not relent in our advocacy for policies and instrument that protect every person irrespective of their ethnicity, age, gender, RELIGIOUSgAFFILIATIONS gSEXUALgORIENTATIONgANDgPOLITICALgPERSUASIONgASgWELLgASgTHEIRgGEOGRAPHICALgLOCATIONb

WSWD IN LIBERIA

Giving Older People a Voice in Liberia, West Africa By Sam Togba Slewion As we celebrate March as Social Work Month under the global theme: “Promoting the Dignity and Worth of All Peoples “I want to give recognition to an effort which has manifested into giving a unified voice to older people in Liberia, West Africa. This effort began during the peak of the Ebola crisis in Liberia in last August, but the theme of this year's celebration of Social Work Month does seem to perfectly characterize the spirit which drove the Social Work Department of the United Methodist University(UMU), Liberia, West, Africa, through its Center for Community Advancement and Family Empowerment (CECAFE), to engage the Ageing Unit of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Liberia to ascertain what was the government doing specifically for older people amidst the Ebola crisis. This desire to engage the government was predicated on the premise when it was observed that there was no specific response strategy for older people in the Liberian government’s .ATIONALg2ESPONSEg0LANgTOgFIGHTgTHEg%BOLAgCRISISg)gSERVEgASg$IRECTORgOFgTHEg#%#!&% gWHICHgISgggANgEXTENSION of the Social Work Department of the UMU.

Although we later confirmed that there was no specific response for older people in the government’s National Response Plan, we did not give up in our advocacy consistent with our core value: The Dignity and the Worth of a Person; and persistently engaged the government to ensure that the older people of Liberia was not only recognized as a vulnerable group in the crisis, but also an important social groups of our society. This persistent advocacy later paid off when the Ageing Unit later assembled provider’s agencies of retirement homes (call old folk homes in Liberia) at a meeting and I was asked to serve as facilitator of the meeting. Based on the outcome of the meeting, a second meeting was held and this time the attendance was higher and included advocacy groups for older people in Liberia. At the end of a series of meetings, a consensus was reached by the groups to form a national group known as the Coalition of Caregivers and Advocates for the Elderly in Liberia(COCAEL), which today is the umbrella organization in Liberia advocating to improve the quality of life of older people through policy changes and better services. Notably among its work since its inception is the creation of the COCAEL Ebola Response Committee to cater specifically to older people and fill the gap in the National Response Plan to fight Ebola in Liberia. The Committee, which comprises representatives of provider agencies, caregivers and advocates, is undertaking a massivecampaign of soliciting items to enable the group to provide food items, preventive and awareness materials and health education for older people residing in old folk’s homes and various communities in Liberia during the Ebola crisis and now in the post-Ebola period. The Committee have received positive responses and distributed items to older people in need, but its work still continues in the post Ebola era in Liberia to make sure that older people are not forgotten in the Ebola crisis and continue not to be forgotten in our national policy planning.

Notably among its work since its inception is the creation of the COCAEL Ebola Response Committee to cater specifically to older people and fill the gap in the National Response Plan to fight Ebola in Liberia. The Committee, which comprises representatives of provider agencies, caregivers and advocates, is undertaking a massive campaign of soliciting items to enable the group to provide food items, preventive and awareness materials and health education for older people residing in old folk’s homes and various communities in Liberia during the Ebola crisis and now in the post-Ebola period. The Committee have received positive responses and distributed items to older people in need, but its work still continues in the post Ebola era in Liberia to make sure that older people are not forgotten in the Ebola crisis and continue not to be forgotten in our national policy planning. In addition to mobilizing resources for older people, for the first time provider agencies and advocates for the elderly in Liberia came together and celebrated World Older People Day held globally on October 1 under the coordination of COCAEL. The impressive ceremony was held to recognize the contributions of older people in ,IBERIAgAMIDggTHEgON GOINGg%BOLAgCRISISgUNDERgAgCONTEXTUALIZEDgTHEMEg$OgNOTgLEAVEg,IBERIA`Sg/LDERg0EOPLEgBEHIND b which is a modification of the universal theme of this year's celebration, "Leaving No One Behind: Promoting a 3OCIETYgFORgALLg7HILEgTHEgGROUPgISgPROUDgOFgTHEgABOVEgACCOMPLISHMENTS gITgISgNOTgCOMPLACENTgANDgNOWgEXPANDING its support network to enhance its capacity to effectively serve older people in Liberia. The group has become to seek partnerships with leading international organizations on ageing, including the International Federation of Ageing in Canada, the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) in Washington, DC, USA and Helpage International in London, UK...

As we celebrate Social Work Month I felt compelled to share this story which not only manifest the positive outcome of a collective action of a group, but also embodies the core values of Social Work, including Service, Social Justice, Importance of Human Relationships and above all the Dignity and Worth of the Person, recognizing that as social workers we have a moral obligation and ethical responsibility to treat each person with dignity and treat people in a caring and respectful manner. This action also manifest the theme under which the US-based National Association of Social Workers (NASW) celebrates this year’s Social Work Month, which is: “Social Work Paves the Way for Change.”

Indeed this single act of advocacy has paved the way for change and will forever impact the treatment of older people in Liberia, as collectively we are determined to change the narratives and the status quo for the betterment of older people. It is our hope that this story inspires all of us as we observe our core value- Service to all peoples, despite the circumstances we find ourselves as we celebrate Social Work Month – 2015. Note: The author is Associate Professor/Chairman of the Social Work Department of the United Methodist University; Director of CECAFE and Consultant of the COCAEL.

WSWD IN UGANDA HAPPY SOCIAL WORK DAY GREETING FROM KABALE UNIVERSITY ASSOCIATION OF STUDENTS SOCIAL WORK Social work is a helping profession. Therefore, the role of assisting people in our immediate environment should be paramount to us as social workers. It on this note, that Kabale University Association of Students Social Work uses the forum to reach out to Kabale Referral Hospital, Makanga and provide psycho-social counseling to the patients at different Wards of the hospital. It is a project initiated in 2011 and we need partnership or COLLABORATIONgFROMgANYgORGANIZATIONgORgINTERNATIONALgCOMMUNITY gSOgTHATgWEgCANgEXPANDgTHEgCOVERAGE

Photograph of students providing psycho-social support for the patients at Makanga Referral Hospital

Kabale University Association of Social Workers

WORLD SOCIAL DAY 2015 UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA On 17 March 2015, the Department of Social Work and Criminology celebrated World Social Work Day with colleages from over the world. We promoted the principle of human worth and dignity several ways. At a conference to celebrate the day, the central message human worth and dignity was introduced in the openng speech by our Heas of Department, Prof Antoinette Lombard. #OLLEAGESgFROMgPRACTICEgPROVIDEDgUSgWITHgEXAMPLESgOFgHOWgTHEYgIMPLEMNTgTHEgPRINCIPLEgOFgHUMANgWORTHgAND dignity in projects and interventions with individuals, groups and in communities...

While the social work students conveyed the message by means of song, poetry and perfomance.

The audience, who included our staff and students as well as colleages and friends from practice, spent a most enjoyable morning together.

The event of the morning was followed by activities to promote the message of human rights and dignity on the University campus. These activities included a march by students and staff members, organised by UPSSWA (University of Pretoria Student Social Workers Association)...

A student event on the piazza on the main capmus...

as well as the graffiti wall on campus...

ASSWA EXCO Members

PROUD PROFESSIONALS WHO BUILD LIVES & BRIDGES ACROSS DIVERSITIES

Professor Vishanthie Sewpaul (President)

Dr Janestic Twikizire (Vice-President)

Dr Tanusha Raniga (Treasurer)

Dr Wassie Kebede (Secretary)

Prof. Antoinette Lombard

Prof. Abye Tasse

Prof. Sam Slewion

Dr James Ayangunna

Theresa Kaijage

Dorothee Holscher

Mbongeni Shadrack Sithole on Ubuntu The word 'Ubuntu' comes from one of the Bantu dialects of Africa. It is a traditional African philosophy that gives an understanding of us as human beings in relation with the rest of the world. According TOg5BUNTU gTHEREgEXISTSgAgCOMMONgLINKgBETWEENgUSgALLgANDgITgISgTHROUGH this tie, through our interaction with our fellow human beings, that we discover our own human qualities. The Zulus would say, "Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu", which means that a person is a person through other persons. We affirm our humanity when we acknowledge that of others.

No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more natually to the human heart then its opposite.

-Nelson Mandela