By Dhabessa Wakjira

Introduction: More Than a Profession

There are moments in life when a career becomes a calling—when the work you do ceases to be simply a job and transforms into an expression of who you are. For me, that moment came when I realised that being a Social Worker is not just about earning a degree or holding a title. It is a profound commitment to serve with compassion, to advocate for justice, and to stand beside those who need support the most.

I am Dhabessa Wakjira, and I am proud to be a Social Worker in the making.

The Heart of Social Work

What does it truly mean to be a Social Worker? It means waking up each day with a purpose that extends beyond personal gain. It means choosing to be a voice for the voiceless, a shield for the vulnerable, and a bridge for those who feel isolated from the world around them.

Social Work is rooted in the belief that every person matters—regardless of their background, their struggles, or their circumstances. It is a profession that:

• Gives hope to the vulnerable and marginalised
• Empowers individuals and families to find their strength
• Protects children’s rights and ensures their safety
• Strengthens communities from within
• Reminds people that they are seen, heard, and valued

Every life touched, every voice heard, every child protected, and every family empowered is a step toward a better society. These are not just words on a page—they are the daily realities of those who choose this path.

Who I Am

Allow me to reintroduce myself.

My name is Dhabessa Wakjira, and I carry my identity with pride. I am an Oromo, and I am a Social Worker. These two truths are not separate—they are woven together into the fabric of who I am and what I stand for.

In my work and in my life, I choose:

• Empathy over judgment — Understanding that every person carries a story I have not lived
• Service over status — Recognising that true worth lies not in titles but in impact
• Impact over recognition — Knowing that the change I help create matters more than the credit I receive

These are not abstract ideals. They are the compass that guides my daily actions.

What I Do

As a Social Worker, I am called to:

1. Empower — Helping individuals and communities discover their own strength and capacity for change
2. Protect — Safeguarding the rights and well-being of children, families, and vulnerable groups
3. Support — Walking alongside people in their times of greatest need
4. Educate — Sharing knowledge that equips others to advocate for themselves
5. Mobilise — Bringing communities together to address shared challenges
6. Care — Offering compassion and humanity in every interaction
7. Organise — Creating systems and structures that uplift rather than oppress
8. Collaborate — Building partnerships that amplify the impact of service
9. Serve — Placing the needs of others at the centre of my work

Each of these actions is a deliberate choice—a commitment to creating positive change, one person, one family, and one community at a time.

The Intersection of Identity and Purpose

There is a phrase that I carry close to my heart: “Oromo Freedom Fighter isn’t just what I do—it’s who I am.”

For me, this is not a contradiction to my work as a Social Worker—it is an extension of it. The fight for Oromo liberation and the fight for social justice are intertwined. When I advocate for the rights of children, families, and communities, I am also contributing to the broader struggle for freedom, dignity, and self-determination.

Social Work is, at its core, about addressing the systems and structures that perpetuate inequality and suffering. It is about recognising that individual struggles are often rooted in larger historical and political realities. To be an Oromo Social Worker is to understand that the path to healing requires not only individual support but also collective liberation.

The Journey Ahead

I am still a Social Worker in the making—and that is a truth I embrace. Every day brings new lessons, new challenges, and new opportunities to grow. I am learning to hold space for the pain of others while also tending to my own. I am learning to navigate systems that are often broken while never losing sight of the humanity they are meant to serve.

I am learning that change is slow, and that patience is a form of strength. I am learning that even when progress feels invisible, every act of compassion plants a seed that will one day bloom.

A Call to the World

To anyone who reads this, I offer this reflection: Social Work is not a profession reserved for the few. It is a way of being that we can all embody—in our families, in our neighbourhoods, in our daily encounters with strangers. You do not need a degree to choose kindness. You do not need a title to stand up for what is right.

But for those who do choose this path—who answer the call to serve—know that you are part of something greater than yourself. You are part of a legacy of compassion, resistance, and hope that stretches across generations and continents.

Conclusion: Here’s to Change

Here’s to creating positive change, one person, one family, and one community at a time. 💜

Here’s to the vulnerable who teach us resilience. Here’s to the families who trust us with their stories. Here’s to the children whose futures we are fighting to protect. Here’s to the Oromo people and to all peoples who continue to struggle for freedom and dignity.

I am Dhabessa Wakjira. I am a Social Worker in the making. I am an Oromo Freedom Fighter. And I believe—with every fibre of my being—that a more just world is possible.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” — Mahatma Gandhi