Greetings everyone! I’m Riccel Melindo, delighted to share a glimpse into my journey with you. At 25 years old, I find myself reflecting on the twists and turns that have shaped my path. I am the third child among four siblings.
At the age of 16, I was not living with my parents anymore as I moved to Zamboanga City, which is 6 hours away from my hometown to study at college. I was not totally alone because I had my 2 sisters with me, and we were living in the same rented room, or we commonly called it in the Philippines as boarding house.
I took up Bachelor of Science in Social Work which I didn’t know what it is about. I was influenced by my mother as this profession is in demand. As I study the program, I started loving it because there are a lot of fields to practice this profession, but it is underrated here in the Philippines. Only a few know about Social Work. The effort and change Social Workers made in the community had not been recognized. The people that are being helped didn’t even know that the people who helped them are Social Workers. I graduated college at the age of 20 in 2018. After I passed the board exam for Social Workers in the same year.
I decided to apply for a job in Cebu city. My family supported me with it, and I travelled to Cebu City knowing nothing with my college classmate. It was the same situation when I was at college, I lived in a very small, rented room with my college classmate.
I felt like it was very far away from my home. The city is fast paced, and I felt like I was in a hurry to get a job. As a first-time applicant, I passed my application letter and resume to many companies and organizations online and in person. In the same year, 2018.
I was hired for the first time as a Social Worker/Case Manager at the Center for Behavioral Support that caters for children who have behavioral challenges. Most of them are children with autism and ADHD. There, I conducted one-on-one play sessions with them. I teach them to regulate their own emotions in coping up appropriately.
It was tough for me as I started practicing my profession because there were a lot of things to consider because they are very sensitive to lights, sounds, touch, etc. I had to have behavioral strategies with me as I was dealing with their sudden tantrums (hitting, throwing, shouting, crying, walking, whining, and many more). I experienced being hit suddenly while we were doing an activity. I was emotional and tired, but that taught me to be more patient with them. My patience grew as I practiced my profession.
Those were the storms I had, but there were rainbows that I truly appreciated, and I felt fulfilled seeing and hearing the children’s progress. For over 1 year and 6 months working with children with autism/ADHD, and behavioral challenged, I value more of their differences in our society that they also need to belong, be loved, and be understood, because they are talented and capable of things on their own ways.
The onset of Covid-19 brought about my worst experience, leading to the loss of my job and a profound sense of anxiety about the future. I struggled with sleep and felt trapped in a cycle of uncertainty. I was stuck and hopeless. I returned to my hometown. For almost a year I had been sending application letters and resumes, I got some interviews, but failed. Until Hope Mountain Foundation posted a job for Social Worker. I got hired and went back to Cebu. I was thrilled and happy as I got to serve the children again and this time, they are victim-survivors of online exploitation and sexual abuse.
Hope Mountain Center is a residential facility for children. It is a safe refuge of hope and healing. This job is not for everyone as you must deal with the children who have had very traumatic experiences and as you hear their stories, you couldn’t imagine that it would happen in real life. Stories that made you think how blessed you are, stories that would realize you how vulnerable they are, and stories that would tear your heart.
I’m eager to join the Hive community on Peakd.com to create an online journal for my passion and I wanted the community to get to know the real deal of a Social Worker. I was inspired to do so after hearing about it from @chimegipamus and @imaware. I was thinking that it could be one of the ways to influence/guide people who wanted to be a social worker in the future.
Over the past five years, I’ve dedicated myself to guiding these children through therapeutic sessions and providing support in their journey. Despite the challenges, I find immense fulfillment in my work; it’s more than a job, it’s a calling.
Outside of work, I find solace in leisure activities such as yoga, meditation, and outdoor adventures, connecting with nature. During my free time, I prioritize self-care, indulging in activities like massages, getting my nails done, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Joining this platform allows me not only to share my experiences with an online community but also to create a meaningful record of my journey for the future. I’ve come to understand that every aspect of my life, including my work and struggles, holds profound meaning, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve both the children and the greater purpose I believe in. Through faith and perseverance, I’ve overcome these challenges, finding purpose and hope in serving vulnerable children. We are the unsung heroes, but that didn’t stop me from continuing serving people, especially children.
As I look ahead, I am filled with excitement to continue sharing the stories of the resilient I have the privilege to serve. The goal is to help children transform from helpless victims to thriving survivors. Through faith and perseverance, I am committed to being a voice for the voiceless, illuminating the hope and healing for those who need it most. I am a Social Worker for something because I serve people (children) with a heart and a purpose. I’ve discovered profound fulfillment in serving others.
I'm excited to share with you more of my stories on my next blog, so stay tuned.
Welcome to Hive, @agentofchange17! I hope you have a wonderful time discovering this online community. Enjoy blogging! I'm excited to read your future blogs.
Thank you @memwuai, I'm excited too to share more of my stories :) Have a good day.
Welcome to hive @agentofchange17 . Have fun! 😊
Thank you for you warm welcome @marie.creates, see you around.
Welcome to Hive @agentofchange17 t'was a wonderful story to share. enjoy sharing your experiences.
Thanks @imaware, I am honored to have an opportunity to share my experiences here :)
Welcome aboard @agentofchange17, you have an interesting life story, and Im excited to see more of your travel blogs and life experiences. Have fun, connect, and explore this platform. See you around
Thank you @intoy.bugoy, I'll be posting more of my work-life balance :). See you around.
Welcome to hive Ma'am, your passion to help those children that been in a traumatic situation thanks to all the social worker like you they have someone to talk and lean on may god bless you Ma'am, Enjoy sharing you passion and experience here in the hive Ma'am.
Thank you @helianthus-chloe, I'm excited to share more of the children's journey toward healing.
Welcome to Hive @agentofchange17! Your advocacy is really noble, and your journey towards your current job was tough, but it was highly inspiring. I'm really glad that you're able to find fulfillment in your job, and I'm hoping that someday I, also, may find that certain fulfillment. Hope that you'll enjoy your journey here in Hive! See you around ꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡.
Thank you for your warm welcome, @ridgette, one day, you'll find yours :)
Welcome to Hive, @agentofchange17. You made a good choice in joining this platform. I am excited for your future blogs as you share your expertise in social work and many more. Enjoy your stay as you engage with other bloggers and learn about the different hive communities. Be an agent for change in who you expect yourself to be. God bless!🫶
Hello @cup-bearer, thank you for this encouraging comment, it makes me strive more.
Welcome to hive @agentofchange17 I hope you will enjoy your stay here.Explore & engaging is the key to learn new things in the community.God bless you,Have a nice day Ahead!🥰
Thank you @chyxille, I'm positive about learning more in this community. Have a good one :)
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STOPBeautiful soul! Welcome to Hive 🥰
Thank you for dropping by, ma'am @patsitivity. I'm honored. 😊
That was an incredible introduction! I’m amazed you continued with your profession despite everything. Imagine not knowing about it and here you are, it has become your calling!
Welcome to Hive!
Indeed @wittyzell, and I'm happy about it :).
Welcome to Hive community @agentofchange17 . Happy buzzing🐝😇
Thank you, @daenerhys. It is such a beautiful platform. :)
Welcome to hive @agentofchange17 i know ma enjoy ka diri at least naa kay space dri to release the stress sa work. Keep engaging.
Thank you cher @chimegipamus, for introducing me to this platform.
Welcome to hive ma'am 👏🏻
Thank you, @angelicaura. See you around here. :)
Welcome to hive miss. You'll definitely find it a useful and beneficial plateform for you
Thank you @aqsasattar, grateful to people who introduced me here. :)
Welcome to Hive Community Ma'am @agentofchange17 Just enjoy and I am excited to read your next blog.
Thank you @diamondinthesky, I am happy to share my passion here.
Welcome po sa Hive.
Ako po ay taga Batangas❤️
You have been upvoted! 🤑
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Thank you for the upvote, sir @guruvaj.
❤️🇵🇭❤️
Your life is inspirational, love the photos, the people, looks like you got out into the world at a very early age, lovely indeed
Yes, @joeyarnoldvn, and I think that is one of the reasons for how I have become who I am today. Thank you for reading :)
sweet