Field visits are an important part of social work practice. They allow for direct observation of clients’ situations, which helps social workers understand how people live in their communities.

MY FIRST FIELD VISIT AS AN NGO WORKER

In March, I joined Wishes and Blessings, not knowing what to expect. I just knew I was to brace myself for whatever was to come. Being a content writer I was mostly confined to my station writing content as I was learning to acquaint myself with the work I was assigned.

This June, with the much needed encouragement from my peers, I took the dive into exploring the vast opportunities the social sector world has to offer. I decided to visit the Samarpan Day Care Centre at Hathi Basti where the Wishes and Blessings NGO is providing meals on a daily basis under its Daily Meals Programme. 

It was almost an hour long ride to our destination but it was a good one as I was in good company. Barkha who is the Programme Manager; and Shekhar who is the Programme Officer make a fantastic team. Hardworking, focused, dedicated and jolly, they are exemplary and inspiring in many ways.

It was quite a sunny day. It hadn’t rained in weeks, the grounds were dry and it was scorching hot but as soon as we reached, to my pleasant surprise, the centre was located amidst a big, beautiful garden. I saw the bright sun over the trees, the sky painted with a blue that calmed my heart. I heard the birds in the trees beyond and no sooner before we reached, I heard the busy chatter of the kids and the delightful look on their faces instantly lit up our moods. They were allotted 3 different classrooms based on their ages. And they beamed in joy on seeing us.

We interacted with the kids, some spoke of their dreams-how they wished to be a doctor someday, another girl said she wanted to be in the army, another a dancer! They have aspirations as big as any of us. We danced along with the kids and then they entertained us through singing and poem recitations. These children evidently lived with minimal conditions but they were cheerful and grateful. They believe in hope and through the service they receive they are given a chance to dream.

When it was lunch time, the kids lined up in anticipation and excitement. A hearty lunch is always something that all of us look forward to. Imagine the kids! Channa curry was on the menu and we took the opportunity to serve them after arranging them in 2 lines to maintain order. 

Seeing the kids have their food made me contemplate on how the little things in life brought them happiness, the way they gleefully gobbled their food without breaks; some even came back for a second helping.  It was indeed heart-filling to see how they seemed to thoroughly enjoy such a simple meal. The three of us wasted no opportunity in tasting it as well and to our delight; it was nothing less than a properly home cooked meal.

For these kids basic things like food, clothing and education are considered a luxury. These children deserve all the care and attention as they are the future pillars of tomorrow. It is rightly said that it is not simply about what you give, it’s about the heart behind the giving. It doesn’t matter what and how much you give as long as one gives it from the heart.

After spending some more time with the kids, we freshened up and buckled ourselves to head back. I had an amazing time and it was a privilege for me to experience the work firsthand. I am grateful to Wishes and Blessings for giving these kids a chance for a better future and very evidently a chance for me to become a better person.

Very often we tend to think we will leave a mark rather I believe it is them that leaves a mark in our lives- one that leads us to introspect on life and reminds us to count our blessings, to be grateful every single day and never to take anything for granted. I learnt a lot, I came back much happier, more complete with the certainty that I was going back again. It made me realise that perhaps I should try to let go of what isn’t fulfilled in my life yet, and embrace the immeasurably more life I am blessed with.

As I walk away from the kids, away from the humdrum and busy chatter, I breathe in the scent of the plants and the water in the air from the stream nearby and I think to myself that life may not always be fair but God is good. His goodness reaches everyone big and small and many times, it is upto the strong to uplift the weak.

FAQs:

What Is A Field Visit?

A field visit is when a social worker goes out into the community to observe a situation firsthand. This allows them to see things as the underprivileged sees them, and gives them a better understanding of the marginalized needs.

Why Do They Matter?

Field visits help social workers understand how the underprivileged live in their communities, and how they interact with others. It also helps them learn how to provide services that will meet the needs of each individual person.

When Should You Conduct Them?

Field visits should occur when there’s a need to assess a situation, such as when a child has been abused or neglected, or when a family member is being evicted and in many more cases. They can also be used to evaluate whether a program is meeting its goals.

How Can You Plan For Them?

Field visits are often scheduled at times when people aren’t expecting them, making it difficult to plan for them. However, there are ways to make sure that you’ll have enough time to complete them:

• – First, try scheduling them during off-hours, when fewer people will be present.
• – Second, consider using technology to help with planning.
• – Third, look out for NGOs who’ve completed similar projects like Wishes and Blessings’ Daily Meals Programme to see how they usually go ahead for them.
• – Finally, use a calendar app to keep track of upcoming events and appointments.

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