Social work can move worlds

Ruth Zenkert is the head and heart of Elijah, is the heart of the community. After her IT studies and a short time at the bank, Ruth was drawn to social work. Side by side with Father Georg Sporschill SJ she has been helping the poor for forty years. Since 2012 she has been the director of Elijah, a project in Transylvania where the poorest Roma live in worst conditions. But to call Ruth only the leader would not do her justice. Ruth is the leader, the networker, the ongoing charity, the friend and mum of the staff and Roma children. She knows every facet of the project, has every number ready on call, knows every employee and volunteer – and yet has time for every family, for every request and always has a nice, encouraging word on her lips. If the kids are with Ruth then both sides are happy. The children know what they owe to Ruth and Ruth knows what she owes to the children. Through the children and their music, Ruth discovered her love for the saxophone.

When it comes to the lives of poor people here, Ruth fights like a bear. The light in her room can still be seen until late at night. Nevertheless, you will not experience her exhausted. After forty years in the same profession, Ruth could now be described as an “old hand” in social work. Nevertheless, Ruth exudes more joy of life and youthful spirit  than most young people.

This is easy to observe on walks: she walks ahead of everyone and darts through the hilly landscapes of Romania. Also in everyday life one can see Ruth moving forward. But here as a role model, a person of respect and as someone who encourages. When Ruth is confronted with a problem, she finds a number of possible solutions in the next few seconds. She has an uncanny power of observation, seeing opportunity in places where many would only see poverty and ruin.

At the end I would like to tell you about myself: My name is Josef, but I call myself Pepi. I became part of the Elijah community as a volunteer. After a year of community service in a Viennese refugee hostel, I am trying to answer the question for myself whether social work can really work. To anticipate the answer: Yes, it can work, social work can move worlds and change lives. The children’s laughter, the constantly full social centers and the changed living conditions of Roma make me understand why people invest their lives and all their strength here. I got the feeling that I could make a difference. 

Pepi from Austria, volunteer 2020