When a child’s behaviour reflects pain and difficult circumstances, people such as Tshwantsho Matshabi look beyond the behaviour and try to understand what lies behind it. She has been a social worker at Abraham Kriel Children’s Home in Modimolle since 1 August 2016 and believes that every child should be treated with understanding, dignity and compassion.

“When you work with children and young people, you soon realise that the work is not about you,” says Tshwantsho. “It is about approaching every child with empathy and understanding, while taking their individual circumstances into account.”

According to Tshwantsho, one of the most important aspects of social work is creating a safe space where children can discover who they are and begin to believe in their own worth again. She says a child’s behaviour often reflects the pain and challenges he or she has already endured.

“We do not condone harmful behaviour, but we always try to see the value of the child behind that behaviour,” she says.

For Tshwantsho, the work means not only guiding children through difficult times, but also helping them move forward with greater hope and confidence. “My prayer is that God will continue to guide and strengthen us so that we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of the children in our care,” she says.

Her words remind us that social work often takes shape in the small, everyday moments: by listening, understanding and treating every child with dignity.