I am the Social worker and joined Skillshare International Botswana towards the end of August 2021 after completing from the university in May 2021. I attended the above training. The timing was perfect for me as COM is not covered during academic training. The workshop opened my eyes and I really feel empowered with regard to do, how to do it and whom to involve when assisting COM. It was an experience all together.
As much as the Children’s Act of 2009 exists, it does not specify how to protect COM. I therefore fore feel that there is need for the country to develop laws that protect COM and the Department of Social Protection to develop guidelines (Standard Operating Procedures) to implement of such laws at national level. The guidelines and policies available (Botswana context) according to me hardly extend to COM, of which it turns out to limit service provision to Children On the Move.
The workshop was very insightful and made absolute sense in terms of service provision to COM. The discussions provided actionable concepts that enabled instant application of knowledge predominantly when it came to establishment of the referral system for COM. It provided a detailed and systematic framework to understand the route of service provision and established defined roles for each stakeholder involved in the support and protection of COM. It was a thought provoking and hands-on workshop that left me inspired and knowledgeable. Through the workshop I feel much more influential with more actionable takeaways I can apply immediately in my practice as a Social worker. As a professional I believe in reinvesting and sharpening my skill, this workshop came at the right time and I was spoilt for choice.