SANDRA Govender’s journey as a social worker began many moons ago, fresh out of university, believing she would solve everyone’s problems.

She quickly realised it would not be that easy, but she was determined to help people. Govender, 55, started working at Kingsburgh Child and Family Welfare (KCFW) in 1996 and said that it is her calling.

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“Every single day is different. I’ve worked with the good, the bad and the ugly, but every single client that has come through these doors or I have engaged with has been a part of my life’s journey. They have shaped me, taught me a lot about helping people and made me realise that life can change in an instant. Often when you are in a situation, you can’t see the wood from the trees and perhaps you just needed somebody to guide you. I don’t give advice, I feel I give people the resources for them to solve their problems,” said Govender.

When she began at KCFW, it was part-time and she worked two days a week. As the caseloads increased, and more problems arose in the community, it became full-time work. In addition to one-on-one counselling, Govender would reach out to the community with workshops and community programmes.

“I think through the years I have been instrumental in helping a lot of families and children, but that is only possible with the help of the community, and the help of my volunteers, and my management board that has been most supportive through these years.

“I’ve done adoptions, facilitated foster care and marital counselling. With challenges life throws at people, I never know who is walking through the doors and what their challenges are, so it is always dynamic. There are days where I can only cry in desperation because of the need out there. There are children who have had no food, or have been beaten and abused, but I try to give the best of myself every day,” she said.

Govender said that her success stories are children that have been adopted into caring homes. To see that somebody has overcome their challenges and are doing better makes facing each day worthwhile.

She offered advice for anyone that wants to be a social worker. “It has to be a calling. You have to have the heart for people and the patience to deal with all sorts of personalities. Some people will hate you, some will revere you. It’s all part of the work that we do. There is a lot of satisfaction in knowing you were instrumental in helping someone.”

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