Service Learning in Zambia: "A life enhancing experience, that was definitely worth it ..."
Paul Butler (NUI Galway), Dympna Casey (NUI Galway)
Abstract
This presentation describes my experience of undertaking a service learning placement in Lusaka, Zambia in the summer of 2007. This service learning experience was part requirement for an elective module entitled ‘International Nursing; nursing in developed and developing worlds’ offered at NUI Galway. The planning process involved in setting up the placement along with my rationale for selecting this site will first be presented. In Lusaka, with three other Irish students from the same programme, I worked in a Hospice which cared for clients who were HIV+ and clients dying from AIDS. There were many differences and similarities in the way clients were cared for, and between the Irish health care systems to that in Zambia, and these will also be discussed in my presentation.
Prior to undertaking the service learning placement every student completes a theoretical module which covers various topics such as culture and health, racism, ethnocentricity, culture shock, how to work in different cultures and how to look after one's own health whilst abroad. Although this module prepares students well to undertake this placement there still was an element of culture shock and a feeling of sadness when I witnessed a client in Africa dying, knowing that if s/he had access to better treatment as in the West, a life might not have been lost. This will be explored further in my presentation.
I learnt many things from my first hand experience of working in Zambia, not only more about the day-to-day impact of HIV+ and AIDS but also about the cultural issues which may also contribute to the incidence of HIV/AIDS including religious factors, gender, stigma and acceptability of voluntary counselling and testing (VCT). Through reflection I have become aware of many issues including the need for political action at both domestic and international levels to combat the AIDS epidemic.
I thoroughly enjoyed my service learning experience and felt that it gave me a more rounded perspective not only on issues related to health and culture but also at a personal level. The service learning community also benefited from my presence and that of my fellow students. This will be described further in my presentation. Overall I think everyone gained and I would recommend it and the module to everyone!
