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In Memory: Passing of COMPRES Master's Student Hannelie Schwartz
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mrs. Hannelie Schwartz, a dedicated master's student in Social work at Community PsychoSocial Research (COMPRES) under the supervision of Dr. Issie Jacobs. Hannelie tragically sustained severe head injuries in a car accident on Friday and passed away over the weekend.
Hannelie was not just a student but a leader in her community. She was the social manager of Orania Helpmekaar, where she played a crucial role in its transformation into a resilient child protection organisation. Her leadership and unwavering commitment to establishing a healthy community profoundly impacted many. Protecting vulnerable children was her passion; she carried out this mission meticulously.
Her absence will be deeply felt in Orania and beyond, as she leaves behind a legacy of compassion and service. Our thoughts and condolences go out to her family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.
Met groot hartseer het ons verneem van die afsterwe van mev. Hannelie Schwartz, Orania Helpmekaar se maatskaplike bestuurder. Hannelie het Vrydag ernstige hoofbeserings opgedoen tydens 'n motorongeluk.
Hannelie sal 'n groot leemte in Orania op vele terreine laat. Onder haar leiding is Orania Helpmekaar uitgebou tot 'n veerkragtige kinderbeskerming organisasie wat nie geskroom het om op te tree waar nodig nie. Sy het dit as haar roeping beskou om 'n gesonde gemeenskap te help vestig. Die beskerming van weerlose kinders was vir haar 'n passie wat sy nougeset volvoer het. (orania helpmekaar facebook blad)
Our hearts are heavy with this loss, and we extend our deepest sympathies to all who knew and loved her.
COMPRES Researchers at the 33rd International Congress of Psychology
Africa Network for Environmental Social Work and Disaster Management (ANESW)
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Our Social Work Research Projects
At COMPRES we celebrate the tireless dedication of child protection social workers who play a vital role in safeguarding the well-being of vulnerable children and families. Empowering these professionals involves providing the necessary resources, training, and support to navigate complex cases and advocate for children's rights effectively. By investing in their professional development and fostering a supportive work environment, we enable these social workers to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those they serve, ensuring that every child can thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.
Follow Prof Elmien Crofford, NRF-rated researcher at COMPRES, for impactful research on this topic.
Further, join COMPRES in celebrating researchers who dedicated their time to promoting the well-being of those in the business of protecting others.
The Wellness Wardens: A Social Service Protection Initiative is committed to safeguarding the well-being of social service professionals, this research includes tailored interventions and advocates for policy reform to create a safer, more supportive environment. Together, let us make a tangible difference in the lives of those dedicated to improving human well-being.
Follow Dr Lucé Pretorius a COMPRES researcher for more research on this extra-ordinary project.
We also celebrate the unique contributions of our researchers that advocate for the protection of our children during this celebration month.
By leveraging international evidence and tailoring interventions to the specific cultural and contextual nuances of South Africa, this research seek to create effective and sustainable prevention measures to safeguard the well-being of children in our communities.
Follow the work of Prof Lizane Wilson on her quest to protect the children of South Africa.
Vision and Mission
The vision of the research focus area, Community Psychosocial Research (COMPRES), is to conduct scientific and evidence-based research of high quality within community psychosocial wellness in appropriate South African contexts with the aim to prevent pathology and to improve psychosocial well-being.
In addition, we want to establish ourselves as leading role-players in community psychosocial research in the wider Southern Africa and by achieving this we would like to develop and provide appropriate models for the understanding of and addressing community psychosocial adversities and well-being within a developing context.
Community Psychosocial Research (COMPRES) is a research focus area within the Faculty of Health Science and is the research home for researchers from the School of Psychosocial Health and the Centre for Child, Youth and Family Studies (CCYF). It officially opened its doors in January 2015.
Community Psychosocial Research (COMPRES) also emphasises the importance of a community presence, which symbolises what we stand for and where not only the researchers, but also community members − who are invaluable and who play an active role in the research projects − feel at home.
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