ABSTRACT
When I think ‘social work’, my thoughts and memories rewind to my parents, John and Teresa D’Souza, and my grandmother, Natalie Saldanha, whose lives embodied the values upon which the discipline of social work is built. Through their words and deeds they role-modelled hospitality, generosity, a deep respect and strong concern for socially and economically disadvantaged people. Even though we were raised in a small house in Mahim, Mumbai, we always made room for and shared our meals with families who visited us and needed nurture and support. We categorised our guests informally as ‘temporary’ and ‘permanent’ and welcomed them all – family, neighbours and strangers alike. Both my parents were loving and caring. They gave to others in times of plenty and in times of scarcity.
