Speech from Social Worker of the Year, Valary Cheptoo Mibei, Kenya

Speech delivered during the 2025 Awards Ceremony held on 16 June.

Good day, esteemed colleagues, distinguished guests, students, and fellow changemakers,

I stand before you today with immense gratitude and deep humility as I accept the ASWDNet Social Work of the Year Award. I would like to begin by sincerely thanking the nomination committee and the African Social Work and Development Network for this incredible recognition. It is not just my name that is honoured today, but the communities I serve, the voices of those often unheard, and the countless frontline social workers whose dedication inspires change every day.

This award is especially meaningful because it is presented on the Day of the African Child—a day that reminds us of the resilience, strength, and boundless potential of the children of Africa. Their hopes and dreams are the heartbeat of our continent’s future. As social workers, we are entrusted with the sacred duty of safeguarding that future by advocating for justice, protecting dignity, and ensuring that no child is left behind.

My journey into social work was not accidental—it was born out of personal experience, empathy, and a relentless belief in humanity’s capacity to uplift one another. I have been privileged to walk alongside survivors of trauma, families rebuilding their lives, and young girls reclaiming their agency in the face of adversity. It is in their courage that I find my purpose.

I also want to recognize my mentors, my colleagues in the field, my organization, and the students and interns who remind me daily that learning is a lifelong journey. To all of you who work silently and tirelessly to make our societies more just and inclusive—this award is yours as much as it is mine.

Let this recognition serve as a reminder that the work we do matters. And as we gather here today, may we reaffirm our commitment to standing for the rights of children, to shaping policy that empowers the marginalized, and to holding systems accountable to the people they exist to serve.

To the students and young professionals watching this—please know that you are the future of social work on this continent. Your passion, innovation, and advocacy are needed now more than ever.

In closing, I accept this award not just as a celebration of past efforts, but as a call to continue the journey—with more courage, deeper compassion, and unwavering hope.

Thank you so much, and may we continue to be instruments of change, dignity, and justice.