“I have always
been in
social
work, though with
different objectives
and missions,”
recalls Ms Fung who,
in 2002, received the
Outstanding Social Worker
Award from the National
Council of Social Service
If she weren’t
doing what she is doing
now, she would most
likely be a
nurse.
In her teens, she was
inspired by the work
of her two aunts; one
worked in social affairs,
another for leprosy
patients. “Just
seeing them work with
people inspired me,”
she says. “And
also because of religion,
I felt that serving
god that way would be
the best way I can give.”
According to her, before
applying
for a job in a welfare
organisation, you should
ask yourself these questions:
How can I add value
with my skills? What
area can I contribute
best in? Do I work best
with children or do
I want a more
administrative
type of job? Am I prepared
to take less because
it’s a non-profit
organisation?
In turn, what can a
social
worker expect? Better
quality of life, friendlier
culture, and meaningful
existence. AWWA, in
particular, puts emphasis
on work-life balance.
“We believe in
the quality of family
life. We are very family-focussed,”
she says.
Rare are the days when
employees are asked
to render overtime —
only when there is an
event, if at all. “I
hear about some of those
investment companies
who work you till 12
midnight but pay you
up to 10 months bonus.
We’re not like
that,” she adds.
No wonder then that
AWWA has its share of
former white-collar
workers, among them
a banker who now holds
a
counselling
position.
Although she’s
partial to people who
have already experienced
working in
business
firms, Ms Fung also
employs
fresh
graduates who possess
the basic skills and
qualification of a social
worker, and show passion
for and commitment to
working with disabled
people. AWWA now employs
over 200 people for
its more than 13 programs,
and is looking for different
kinds of people to employ
— from social
workers that have a
solid counselling background
to nurses, caregivers,
therapists
and people who can organise
events and raise funds.
“A lot of us are here because we want to make a difference,” she says.
To learn more about Asian Women’s Welfare Association, click here ( http://www.awwa.org.sg/ )
