This document discusses the history and emergence of social work as a profession. It notes that social work has its roots in addressing poverty and welfare needs dating back to ancient religious traditions. In the pre-modern era, Christian churches began establishing orphanages, hospitals, and ashrams around the 5th-6th centuries AD to provide food and aid to the poor, filling the role of welfare activities when governments lacked capacity. The development of roles like deacons and pastors helped formalize aid. Over time, charity work became symbolically tied to religious acts in European society as the churches significantly impacted communities through the 18th century.