Volu m e II - Purdue University Calumet

is the meaning attached to that word. According to post-structuralism, the signified is developed through
language’s evolution within a society, and grows to reflect that society’s attitudes.
African Impact, Zambia: Case Study
Africa Impact is a non-governmental organization (NGO) working throughout Africa. Their site in
Zambia opened in 2005, and employs 15 Zambians in addition to international staff. The site offered several
teaching volunteer opportunities, and a medical program, conducted in the six neighborhoods of
Livingstone. The perspective of Zambians on the volunteers varied, but the majority of those interviewed
supported African Impact’s work in the community, and had positive feelings about the volunteers that
came. Christine, a Zambian 54-year-old who volunteered her time as a community health worker, thought
highly of the volunteers. “They are not stigmatizing; they are just very kind. They just feel the same level as
we are.” Christine’s description of the volunteers clearly shows her belief that the foreign voluntourists
held a position of equality with members of the host community. She mentioned her pleasure in the
voluntourist’s willingness to sit on the ground during home-based care visits, and the meaningful non-verbal
communications: “When person touched me, they feel very good, yes, they do not feel stigmatized or
discriminated.” Christine was describing behavior between foreign volunteers and the patient, many of
whom suffered discrimination from their peers due to a positive HIV status. When volunteers visited a
patient as part of the home-based care project, he or she would shake the hand of the patient, clasping both
hands and slightly bowing at the knees in the traditional Zambian practice. This small gesture was
appreciated by Christine, who took it as an indication of the foreigner’s willingness to place himself on an
equal level with the host community, as well as a sign of humility.
This perception of humility was noted by another Zambian, Andrew Zulu, who said: “They are
humble. They humble themselves among the people.” He continued to describe the affect that having
volunteers working next time him in the health clinic had on him: “They motivate me, they challenge you
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