Priscilla wants to help build families in the Secunda area

Ms Priscilla Mokoena wants to invest in the lives of others and give them tools and advice on how to cope.

She began working as a social worker at Tutela Family Care Secunda last year and she believes this job is her calling.

She grew up in Welkom in the Free State and, after completing matric, she studied to become a social worker at the University of North West in the Vaal Triangle.

During her student years, she offered tutor services on social work modules and also served on the social work committee, called Sowask.

“We identified needs within the community and then launched projects to help to address those needs,” said Ms Mokoena.

She landed her first job as a social worker at a charity organisation, NG Welfare in Vanderbijlpark and worked there for a few years before relocating to Secunda.

Ms Mokoena said it is because of her background that she decided to become a social worker.

“As a child, I was always surrounded by kind-hearted people and people who cared for others,” said Ms Mokoena.

“I went to a Christian-orientated school and there I often saw how people’s lives changed through acts of kindness.

“I am a very compassionate person who has empathy for others and there is something in my being that enhances me to make a positive impact daily.”

She wants to open up herself more for new interests and hobbies since she moved to Secunda.

As a Tutela Family Care social worker, her message to the community is that people should not be shy to ask for help if they have problems in their family lives.

“We offer family care services and early intervention and prevention as well as statutory services.

“We work on restoring families and I want to encourage people to reach out to us for help.

“If people get help, it will have a positive impact on them, as well as on their families and they would be able to be better parents for their children.”

Ms Mokoena strongly believes that social workers are not there to judge people, but rather to help and support.

“We are there to build and help people with their social functioning.”

Tutela often has a shortage of resources when it comes to accessing private therapeutic services for children and the management at Tutela urged the community to support them.

If you are a professional and can help with rendering therapeutic services at no charge or at a lower cost for those who cannot afford it and you want to volunteer, contact Tutela on 079 310

2599 or send an email to tutela.secunda@gmail.com.