Drawing lessons from local designated helpers to develop culturally appropriate social work practice

This paper describes a study which explores the underlying cultural themes of the helping approaches of a group of local designated helpers in Sarawak, Malaysia. In drawing lessons for developing culturally appropriate practice, an important finding is the mutuality of world views between the cultural themes of the helpers and the help-seekers. Insights can also be drawn from the creative synthesis of the "old" and the "new".