Sia Saffa

Social Work

Graduate Sia Saffa is a great example of how a NorQuest College education can set the stage for a rewarding future.

The 26 year old earned a social work diploma at the College in the spring of 2013 and will begin studies at Dalhousie University in Halifax this fall for a social work degree.

“She is a very enthusiastic, inspiring young woman,” says Eugene Ip, chair of community studies. “She has a lot of passion and commitment.”

She is also an aspiring humanitarian who is now well on her way to realizing a dream.

Child Soldiers

Saffa chose social work as a career because she has a strong desire to work with former child soldiers. She spent parts of her childhood in Sierra Leone, where youth were often used as battle pawns during the country’s civil war.  

So in 2012 when retired Canadian Lieutenant-General Romeo Dallaire – who founded the Romeo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative in Halifax – was speaking in Edmonton, she jumped at the opportunity to attend.

“A NorQuest instructor forwarded him a letter I had written about my life and desire as someone who works with former child soldiers. After he read it he told his people to give me a free ticket.”

At the end of event, Saffa approached Dellaire to introduce herself.

”I told him who I was and he said, ‘oh, I got your letter!’ So we began to talk some more and I told him I will be going to Dalhousie, and he offered me a job on the spot!”

His proposal stunned Saffa.

“He had to repeat himself three times. I heard him but I couldn’t say anything. My mind was in such a daze.”

As a student Saffa will only be able to work for the initiative part time, but hopes to change that to full time once she graduates from Dalhousie.

Never say never

The story of Saffa’s journey from NorQuest to Dalhousie University and the Romeo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative is a great one, but it almost didn’t happen.

Saffa was told in the winter of 2012 that Dalhousie would not accept her credentials. The university turned down her application before they even saw her transcript.

“Their mindset was negative because NorQuest is a community college. So I talked to Eugene Ip and he contacted Dalhousie.”

Ip explains: “Alberta is the only province that offers professional social work education at the diploma level. Because all other provinces don’t have that training, Dalhousie expected the same from Alberta. Their first reaction was, ‘what the heck is this?’ So as a faculty we connected with Dalhousie and explained how social work in Alberta is uniquely organized.”

Her acceptance into Dalhousie came soon after. As icing on the cake, the university credited her two years towards her degree as a result of the education she received at NorQuest.

“I am glad she is going to Dalhousie,” says Ip, knowing full-well the school’s great reputation. “I expect her to emerge as someone who has a public voice in terms of working in social work.”

To learn more about NorQuest College’s social work diploma program visit https://www.norquest.ca/programs-and-courses/programs/social-work/