Entrepreneurship Spirit in Social Work
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| (PC: https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/how-nepal-has-tried-to-tackle-the-covid19-pandemic-66173/) |
In Nepal, as we are going through the second phase of lockdown, social work is indispensable more than ever. For individuals, families, and communities across the nation, there is a need for immediate assistance which the government has sadly been unable to be responsible for. What it could only do is keep people hostage in their own homes while the ruling government can centralize more authority and power in its grasp. Even though I am not a political animal, I could perceive the frustration evident in the minds of both apolitical and political communities. Also, the game of politics and the abuse of power has been ringing like a siren in social media platforms and major news channels. But, sadly it has fallen on the deaf ears. Therefore, it is a necessity for social organizations and social workers to step up and bridge the gap of the needy and more fortunate during these sad times. The gap between well-off and poverty has been more evident than ever. That's why we need the spirit of entrepreneurship in social work as well as sincere support for the brave warriors who are saving lives in health centers across the nation.
Entrepreneurship advocates value creation through a totally new perspective which is called innovation. To achieve this, they work on ideas. Ideas that are simply unremarkable at a glance. When we realize those ideas have come into reality, we can only grasp their simplicity and wonder why they never came into our minds before. The making of homemade masks is a perfect example, and likewise, innovation is vital for changing scenarios. On a serious note, the National Innovation Center, an initiative of Dr. Mahabir Pun has collaborated with national and international partners to combat the COVID pandemic down to a remarkable level. It has been distributing PPE gowns to health centers around the country, manufacturing corona booths including nasal swabs, and so on. They have been put the local resources (financial/human) as well as international knowledge and technology into the most remarkable use, to save human lives. But this is not enough. More collaborations are necessary to combat the growing pandemic.
Money management plays a vital role in social work and more so for an entrepreneur. To create the greatest value with the limited resources is the objective of both. Similarly, the fund available for both is limited but the mind behind initiative is to put the use of it in the best possible way. Where can be the limited resources be best put to use? It is the eternal question of an entrepreneur as well as a social worker. In the end, both of them work best of their abilities for the society where they are located in and with growing internet probably in another region as well. Entrepreneurship on the surface is for money but the crux of its origin is to create new value where none have seen and done before. To summarize, both must be miser, but miser with brains. Social work is closely linked with it in assisting those in need and bringing well being to communities around the world that are not able to do it on their own
Be it an entrepreneur or a social worker, they both need to understand people, their individual needs as well as the community needs as a whole. Both need to understand the context where they are working, the habits, lifestyle, economic condition, social scenario, and many more facets of humanity. To understand that both require a comprehensive study before the actual introduction of their ideas. As often said only good intention is not enough, it requires the will to be understanding and be understood. Without the positive reception and substantial improvement in well-being, any initiative is fated to fail.
Other than that both need to go through the “Nay Sayers” and build their own path. Nerves of steel are requisite for both as people's problems crop up internally and externally. Internally? Why? Because to make ideas into reality, we need diverse talents working together. They have different perspectives on how to ultimately serve the public best. These core members interest is as diverse as those of the public. Thus, on which niche to address or whether and how to integrate all is a tough decision. Based on people skill, management prowess, and most importantly dauntless spirit can help to bring synergy in diversity and transform challenge into an opportunity.
Most remarkable is the spirit of entrepreneurship. The spirit is to face challenges to bring change. Despite being scrutinized under conventional morality; this spirit aims to bring positive change for better by challenging the outdated. As aforementioned, change is not possible alone. It requires the amalgamation of like-minded serving the whole. It is the spirit of young hearts no more stifled by the majority staying on the safe side of the fence. Self-motivated and open to risks it encourages fresh perspective and life-changing experience. People fear such change, but the fact is should we fear, "fear" itself? To alleviate fear courage is necessary. Courage is bolstered when like-minded sit together to share ideas and work on them. Furthermore, to embrace positive change, people need to understand its need, its implications in their well-being, especially for future generations. Thus, two-way horizontal communication is a must. For what I see in you is not desperation but hope for change for the better, this should be the attitude.
Social work is focused mostly on the question of why. why should some people be deprived of facilities and resources? Why there is poverty? Why there is no education? Why even animals such as dogs are starving in the street of Kathmandu? Why there is no social justice for females? These are the questions that are asked when society cannot or is unwilling to ask. Whereas entrepreneur spirit is locked on how. How can deprived people get much-needed resources and have access to the facilities? How can poverty alleviate efficiently and effectively? How can education be accessed by all? How animals like dogs can be feed in such a way that they will never starve to death? How can social justice punishes the guilty and helps the victims and prevents potential victims? Thereby, social work works around the impact or result or effectiveness whereas entrepreneurship on the ability to achieve the impact with efficiency and fresh perspective.
Thereby, the entrepreneurial spirit is to bring freedom with what if’s yet grounding to the reality of how. It motivates the brave warriors (doctors, nurser, volunteers) with the vision of why, why should they be exposed to the dangers. Also, it is the propelling factor for innovators who provide support from the background. Social work is part of these positive human endeavors where it is needed the most even without recognition. Simply to save lives and alleviate pain and woe for those suffering in the corner of isolation during the midst of the pandemic. The risk is worth taking for...
Reference:
https://due.com/blog/7-characteristics-of-successful-entrepreneurs/
https://reliefweb.int/report/nepal/hands-innovation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_work
https://nicnepal.org/articles/covid19.html
PC:
https://www.orfonline.org/research/nepal-challenges-of-reviving-economy-post-covid/
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