Motiram Singh, Social Service Worker, Class of 2009
Posted on Tuesday, April 26th, 2011
Motiram Singh is a graduate of the Two-Year Social Service Worker program.
I found out about this opportunity through a seminar facilitated by the International Education Centre at Algonquin College. I could not believe it when I found out that a student could do a field placement almost anywhere in the world to earn the necessary credits for their program and get a $2500 scholarship to help with the expenses. Wow! I thought this was the perfect opportunity for me as the main reason for me taking the Social Service Worker program was to one day return to Guyana, the country of my birth, and open a social agency to help the underprivileged. I went through the application process that includes me having to find an agency that would take me on as an overseas student. This was done with the help of one of my friends in Guyana. I was excited when I found out everything was accepted by the college. Here was my chance to see what it would be like living and working in Guyana, specifically familiarizing myself with the available social services currently offered in that country.
Over the next two months, I organized: running competitions, cricket, soccer and basketball games in the park; learning activities like a spelling contest, teaching some residents how to read a clock; facilitated group discussions on drugs and crime; recreational programs like bingo, board games, art and crossword puzzles; group outings to the Fair and The Rotary Club of Georgetown annual Easter Kite Flying Picnic. I managed to build a strong rapport very quickly with the children. This was easy not only because of the activities I organized and the donated equipment I had taken but because they couldn’t believe I had travelled all the way from Canada to work with them.
The time spent in Guyana was great. On a personal level I found out what life is like in an orphanage which I was always curious about. I also had a wonderful time getting to know my homeland and the culture. On a professional level, I got the opportunity to practice my social services worker skills in a developing nation with underprivileged people. Needless to say their needs are many. I was also able to meet a few teachers and social workers who shared some of their experiences with me and they will be an asset to me when I return to Guyana to open an agency. In the meantime, this international experience has helped my resume considerably and I will suggest the following to any student thinking of travelling overseas as part of their studies: Step out of your comfort zone and go for it as it’s an amazing experience. You will never regret it.
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