Subakalai LP School embraces community spirit on World Social Work Day

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 20, 2024

The sense of community and social responsibility reached new heights as Subakalai L.P School in Laitsohpliah Village came together to commemorate World Social Work Day on March 19, 2024. Organised by the Department of Social Work-PG (MSW) of St Edmunds College, Shillong in collaboration with NESFAS, Shillong, Subakalai L.P School and the local community, marked a significant stride towards fostering social transformation and inclusivity.

World Social Work Day, an annual celebration, honours the invaluable contributions of social workers while underscoring the significance of social justice, human rights, and societal advancement. This year’s theme, “Buen Vivir: Shared Future for Transformative Change,” underscores the importance of embracing innovative, community-driven approaches rooted in indigenous wisdom and harmonious coexistence with nature.

Distinguished guests, including Headman Wan Marwein, Secretary of Laitsohpliah Village Babu Nestar Kharmawphlang, Head Teacher of Subakalai L.P School R. Nongrum, Senior Associate of NESFAS Janak Preet Singh, Rituparna Rajendra, HoD, and Faculty members of the Department of Social Work-PG (MSW) at St Edmunds College, Shillong, alongside school children, parents and members of the community attended the program.

Highlighting the event were captivating presentations by the talented students of Subakalai L.P School and insights shared by Janak Preet Singh, Senior Associate of NESFAS, regarding NESFAS’s School Meal Initiative, illustrating the organization’s dedication to promoting sustainable food systems and nutrition security in schools across the state.

Musical performances further enriched the celebration, with MSW students performing a group song and first-semester students delivering a soul-stirring melody, conveying messages of Mother Nature’s abundant biodiversity. Special performances by the school children of Subakalai L.P School added to the vibrancy of the occasion.

A pivotal moment of the event was the communal mid-day meal shared with guests at Subakalai L.P School. This gesture held profound significance, symbolizing hospitality and nurturing a sense of community within the school. It also facilitated cultural exchange, allowing students from diverse backgrounds to experience local cuisine and customs, thereby fostering mutual understanding and appreciation for different cultures. Acknowledged for its commitment to serving nutritious meals, the school extended an invitation to St. Edmund’s College students, transforming the meal-sharing into a celebration and recognition of achievements within the school community, while reinforcing the importance of healthy eating habits.

In essence, sharing a mid-day meal with the students and faculty of St. Edmund’s College, alongside community members at Subakalai L.P School, transcends mere sustenance; it embodies the essence of building relationships, promoting empathy, and fostering a sense of belonging within the school community, perfectly encapsulating this year’s World Social Work Day theme: “Buen Vivir: Shared Future for Transformative Change.”