Kenya needs social_workers_-_presentatio

Kenya Needs Social Workers

…AND ITS NEED FOR SOCIAL WORKERSBY SHAUNTEL SMITH

HONORS CAPSTONE SEMINAR, SUMMER 2010

Kenya – Information on Kenya

Country located on the east coast Africa

Borders five other countries and the Indian Ocean

Population of about 39 million peopleAt least forty-two different ethnic groups,

including Asians and European settlersMajority of the people are Christians, but

significant number of Muslims and traditional religion

The Area I Visited in Kenya

Words Describing the Kenyan People









The Matter with Kenya

Despite Kenya’s rich and beautiful culture, it is plagued by poverty and its effects.

Kenya’s Statistics

Ranks 147 out of 182 countries on the U.N.’s Human Development Index

40% unemployment rate85% adult literacy rate, compared to 99% in the

U.S.People living with HIV/AIDS--1.2 million (2003 est.)High malaria rate

69% of population at risk.

10.7% infant mortality rate (20% due to malaria)High incidence of alcohol and drug abuse

Causes greater problem combined with 7.8% HIV rate

Why Kenya Needs Social Workers

Social workers work alongside other professionals to help the Kenyan people with the employment, education, and medical and mental health care resources they need.

Types of Social Workers

Child, Family and School Social Workers Help with parenting skills, adoptions, foster homes,

school issues

Medical and Public Health Social Workers Help people and their families deal with long-term and

terminal illnesses and find resources for nutrition and nursing care

Clinical Social Workers Counsel people with mental illness and substance

abuse, conduct community outreaches to inform people of their mental health treatment options, and help people learn life skills

How Each Area Meets to Kenya’s Needs

Child, Family and School Social Workers Can identify and help the government and orphaned

children utilize available resources Can help in the development and implementation of job

and education programs


Medical and Public Health Social Workers Can help Kenyans that have

contracted HIV and their families learn to cope with the effects of the disease

Can help educate Kenyans about HIV and malaria prevention

Can assist in coordinating malaria treatment and follow-up

Can teach Kenyan women about the harmful effects of contaminated water and bottle feeding their babies


Clinical Social Workers Can assist the NACADA

Authority’s initiative by educating and counseling people with substance abuse problems

Can assist with Kenya’s mental healthcare and fight the stigma of mental illness by educating the patients and communities

Wrapping up on Kenya

The Kenyan people have a wealth—an internal wealth—that most people could only hope for. This wealth is apparently not affected by the country’s deficiencies. Nevertheless, their quality of life has definitely been affected by this detrimental lack. Through the help provided by different social workers, Kenyans are educated about and given the resources that are needed to help their resilient country rise above the afflictions of poverty.

Social Work & Kenya

Helpful Links Social Work (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

http://www.bls.gov/k12/help05.htm CIA’S World Factbook information on Kenya

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-worldfactbook/geos/ke.html

Kenya’s Division of Malaria Control http://www.nmcp.or.ke/section.asp?ID=4

Kenya’s Drug Enforcement Agency NACADA Authority http://www.nacada.go.ke/about/scope/

Social Work & Kenya Questions

Which area of social work do you believe is the most important in addressing Kenya’s needs. Why?

How do you think Kenya’s need for social work compares to that of the impoverished in developed countries such as the United States? How does it compare to that of other developing countries?

Social Work & Kenya Questions

Do you believe that social workers can use the qualities of the Kenyan people’s character and build upon them? Or do you believe that conditions in Kenya are too great for social workers to make a difference? Why?

Kenya

Now, For Your Questions…

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Kenya needs social_workers_-_presentatio