From starry eyed sophomore to committed social worker
Nadeen Pakyntien floored the audience at the function to mark the launch of the Masters in Social Work Programme at St Edmund’s College on July 30 last, when she narrated her story of how she got enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Department, St Edmunds College.
“I wanted to do English Honours but my mother insisted I do BSW. I was as confused as any teenager could be and could never picture myself doing anything great in life. I had too many ambitions and still do but my ambitions have changed”, said Nadeen.
In the 1st year BSW, this young lady said she had no idea what she was doing. The field work was just a means to earning marks. But it was in a rural camp that she first became acquainted with rural life. “I realized then how cruel life can be . People in the villages were so poor and faced so much hardship but never complained. They were not able to avail opportunities due to them because of ignorance and lack of education. All my life I have been sheltered from these problems. Today for me field work is doing as much as I can to benefit the community. Its not about me anymore; its about them. I realize that I can be God’s instrument for serving humankind through social work.
What’s buzzing in the campuses?
Independence Day is fast approaching but none of the collages are geared up for the celebrations. It’s just another holiday for the students and teachers. “How can we think of any celebration when the day is a bandh, anyway,” said one college teacher annoyed that she was even asked how her college would celebrate Independence Day.
“If at all there is a celebration it will happen on August 14”, said another college student. But is that not like celebrating the Independence Day of Pakistan? “What can we do? As students we only follow what the college decides,” he quipped.
Some students however boldly stated that if all colleges insist that students come to observe Independence Day they believe it would happen. “After all we too do not believe we should be in fetters on Independence Day”, they said.