Reference of Social Work In The Face of Crises and Disasters Booklets – Part Two
Researcher – Hiam Samaha Kahi
Research Assistant – Aimee Ghanem
Probably the social worker’s experience, Mrs. Takla Wakim, at “Terre des Hommes- Lausanne” who suffered with her family from displacement for more than nine times during the Lebanese war, without being discouraged from working, was the greatest evidence of professional commitment. She ensured work continuity wherever she was. As she said: “I felt angry many times, but when there is someone in need in front of me, I only see the human being in him, regardless of his affiliations and beliefs…”. She continued: “The difference was a source of strength for me.” At the end of her career, she got awarded by “Terre des Hommes-Lausanne – Switzerland, for her outstanding efforts. Moreover, she was a founding member of “NGOs Platform of Saida”.
The experience of Mrs. Georgette Azar who has also worked at “Terre des Hommes” for more than 16 years also deserves recognition where she moved between Bab Al Tabbaneh in Tripoli, Hay El Sellom, Nabaa and Borj El Barajneh in Beirut. As she said: “These areas are the poorest, most miserable and neglected…” She continued: “Social work in those areas helped me practice my humanity… crystallized my personality and pushed me to open up to the others who are different from me…”
During the war years, social work was not limited to relief work, yet many associations and institutions which were dealing with special cases pursued their work despite difficulties.