Community/Social Action Groupwork in Indigenous and Rural Communities Zimbabwe Summer 2019

Authors

  • Paul Johnson University of Southern Maine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1921/gpwk.v29i3.1448

Abstract

In June 2018, I was fortunate enough to attend and present at the IASWG Symposium at Kruger National Park in South Africa. It was a truly amazing experience. However, in July of 2019  I was once again able to return to the  African continent. This time to visit Zimbabwe. For the past four years, my friend and School Principal Chris Labbe,  had been visiting and working with the  IMVELO organization to raise funds for the following three schools:  Ngamo Primary School, Mlevu Primary School and St Joseph’s Primary School.These three schools are located in the indigenous and rural rural villages of Hwanga  National Park.  During the course of the visits to these three Schools, my wife Peg McGovern and I were able to observe the incredible work that was being done between IMVELO and the local communities. The overarching theme of the IASWG 2018 symposium had been “Groupwork in Communities.” On my visit to Hwanga,  I witnessed the impact  of Groupwork in these indigenous and rural communities. On my return home, I reviewed the Groupwork literature, and it reinforced what I observed and encountered  in Zimbabwe.  The wonderful sense of community, sustainability, cooperation, integration of programs, social action and empowerment. It truly was an amazing experience and a trip of a lifetime.

Author Biography

Paul Johnson, University of Southern Maine

Professor of Social Work

References

Conyne, R.K. (2014). Group Work Leadership An introduction for Helpers. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage.

Imvelosafarislodges.com retrieved August 19th 2019).

Johnson, D.W., & Johnson, F.P. (2017). Joining Together Group Theory and Group Skills (12th ed). New York: Pearson Press.

Lang, N. (2010) Group work practice to advance social competence. New York: Columbia University Press.

Pelech, W., Basso, R., Lee, C.D., & Gandarilla, M. (2016) Inclusive Group Work. New York: Oxford University Press.

Pete, B. (1972) The Ant and the Elephant . Houghton Miffin Company Boston.

Toseland, R.W., & Rivas, R.K. (2009) An Introduction to Group Work Practice (6th ed). New York: Pearson Press.

Published

2021-11-13

How to Cite

Johnson, P. (2021). Community/Social Action Groupwork in Indigenous and Rural Communities Zimbabwe Summer 2019. Groupwork, 29(3), 96-102. https://doi.org/10.1921/gpwk.v29i3.1448

Issue

Section

Groupwork in Practice