Susan Theunissen is an angel at work among us

Susan started her career as a social worker in 1977, after finishing her studies in Wellington in the Western Cape.

September 28, 2017

Zianne Leibrandt 2 minutes read

Social Worker, Susan Theunissen develops a bond with every child with whom she works.

For more than 40 years, the children of South Africa who have needed social services, have depended on a woman who might be considered an angel.

This woman is Susan Theunissen.

Susan started her career as a social worker in 1977, after finishing her studies in Wellington in the Western Cape.

“I always knew this was what I wanted to do with my life. There was no other option other than helping children,” she said.

Susan was born and raised in the small town of Burgersdorp situated in the Eastern Cape.

After university, she decided to move to Pretoria, where in 1986 she met and married the love of her life before relocating to Newcastle.

In 1989, the couple welcomed the birth of their son.

During this time, Susan began a career at Christelike Maatskaplike Diens (CMD) before she moved over to Khulisa in 2003.

Here, she decided to start an outreach programme which focused on Early Childhood Development (ECD).

“I firmly believe ECD plays an important role in a child’s upbringing. I have dedicated my life’s work to focusing on children with behavioral problems and finding ways to help them deal with it.”

In May this year, Susan was given the opportunity to work with the toddlers at Home Meah, which she gladly accepted and has not looked back since.

“I have such a passion for working with children and being at Home Meah is truly an honour for me.”

She has since implemented a mini crèche at Home Meah, where the children were taught the basic fundamentals of school.

“It’s been such an amazing feeling seeing how excited these children get when they pack their little school bags and head off to the classroom. I cannot even begin to describe how much of an improvement these classes have made in the children here,” she said happily.

Susan admitted that she tended to get emotionally involved in the lives of the children she worked with as she visualised them as her own grandchildren, and therefore enjoyed spending as much time possible with them.

She also said she built unique bonds with each and every child and felt saddened when a child left the home.

“Being around these children and being witness to their progress makes me feel like a proud ouma.”

Susan described the job she does as a very rewarding career and said she would never change it for anything.

“I am so proud to be a part of Home Meah and the team I work with. I believe our presence plays an enormous and lasting role in the lives of these children.”

Her advice to aspiring social workers is to make sure they have a passion for this sort of work.

“Remain humble and honest no matter what, because at the end of the day, this job is worth it,” she concluded.