“Taga-bigay lang kayo ng ayuda, ‘di ba?”
That’s one of the most frustrating yet common remarks I’ve heard since choosing to study Social Work. For many, our profession is limited to a one-dimensional image: someone who hands out relief goods, processes cash assistance, or shows up during calamities with sacks of rice and canned goods. While these are indeed part of what we do, it is a grave injustice to reduce Social Work to mere distribution of aid.
Social Work is far more complex, compassionate, and courageous. It is not about giving handouts; it is about empowering people. It is about restoring dignity, fighting injustice, and upholding human rights. To see social workers only as “taga-bigay ng ayuda” is to ignore the heart of humanism that drives our profession.
Social workers walk into spaces most people avoid: homes broken by abuse, lives torn by poverty, and communities neglected by society. We don’t just offer food; we offer guidance. We don’t just hand over forms; we open doors. Behind every financial assistance is a case study, an assessment, a referral, and a deep understanding of a person’s social environment. We analyze root causes, not just symptoms.
Yes, we give ayuda – but not just with our hands.
As a social work student, I’ve joined barangay visits where families didn’t need goods; they needed someone to listen. I’ve seen how proper counseling prevented a teenager from dropping out of school. I’ve witnessed how psychosocial support helped a mother recover from grief. None of these stories went viral. But they were real victories.
Yes, we give ayuda – but not just with our hands. We do it with informed decisions, human connection, and a strong grasp of ethics and policies. Social Work combines science and compassion. We study human behavior, social systems, policies, and intervention models. We learn not only how to help, but how to help in the right way.
This is where the heart of humanism lies: in believing that every individual, no matter their background, is capable of change, growth, and healing. And we, as social workers, walk beside them in that journey.
It’s easy to dismiss our work when you don’t see the late nights, the emotional toll, or the system barriers we have to fight through. It’s easy to say “ayuda-ayuda lang” when you don’t know that we also fight for better policies, sustainable programs, and long-term change.
But despite the judgment, we continue. Because our work is not about titles or recognition. It’s about people.
