FROM THE CLEANER TO SOCIAL WORKER
Jabulile Cynthia Maseko is a former cleaner, who grew up in the rural areas in Mpumalanga. She is a dedicated and committed Social Worker who holds two university degrees; Honours degree in Bachelor of Social Work and Honours degree in Psychology.
What inspired you to become a Social Worker focused on Gender Based Violence (GBV)?
Having witnessed the mistreatment of women and children, I firmly believe that as a community, it’s crucial for us to think outside the box and shift our attitudes towards gender and gender roles. Moreover, women often endure GBV because of poverty and associated stigma. Therefore, intervention is crucial for both women and men to alter their perceptions and attitudes toward gender roles in order to address GBV and gender Inequalities.
Can you provide an overview of YANA and the mission it serves within the community?
You Are Not Alone (YANA) Women and Family Centre are social workers, offering psychosocial counselling to GBV survivors and their families, we believe that if we can educate the community about taking care of their mental health, they will be able to think clearly and make informed decisions that will better their lives and the community. Furthermore, we believe that one of the ways of taking care of your mental health is to find a hobby.
What are the key programs or initiatives offered by your organization, and how do they contribute to your mission?
We conduct awareness campaigns aimed at educating the community on various critical issues, including gender-based violence (GBV) and substance abuse. Added to our programmes and services, we offer Psychosocial counselling, Men’s program, School program (anti Bullying), Marriage counselling, Relationship counselling, Family intervention, Crisis counselling, Trauma counselling, and Anger management.
How do you maintain the privacy of the clients?
As social workers, maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of our work is crucial. This creates a safe space for our clients, where they can share their experiences without fear of judgment or discrimination.
How do you ensure accountability and transparency in managing the funds and resources at YANA?
We have board members who oversee our organisational activities ensuring transparency and accountability. Additionally, we report back to the community through Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Does YANA have volunteers? If yes, what role do volunteers play at YANA?
At YANA, we have volunteers because we understand the challenges individuals face when seeking employment without prior experience. We give them an opportunity to grow their careers. Our goals are to partner with big companies and be able to empower more women
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in operating a non-profit organisation?
Our current challenges we face is transportation, as our work requires us to frequently visit the community. We also have women who are volunteering at YANA which also pose a challenge of securing donors to pay stipends.
What advice would you give to individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in social work and/or starting their own non-profit organisation?
My advice to those aspiring to become Social workers, it’s essential to have a genuine love for people, a sincere desire to serve others, and not for financial gain. Setting up an NPO is not simple. Essential ingredients for success in this field is love, patience, commitment, and passion for community”
Kindly please contact YANA, pledge your support to help them continue cultivating humanity and combating the emotional scars caused by Gender-Based Violence (GBV) subsequently promoting good mental health
Contacts: 010 065 1733 or 0639911274
Website: https://youarenotalonewfc.co.za/
