Volu m e II - Purdue University Calumet

to work as a volunteer. So if they can manage and give of themselves, then I can really commend them to
say that they do a good job and a great one.” For Andrew, seeing people from a wealthier class willingly
devote time to working side-by-side with him meant that they cared enough about him and his culture to
want to contribute to the improvement of his community‟s hardships. He gave them a position of power,
but not dominance, in his language: “They motivate me.” The volunteers had the power to motivate him,
but their power was not one of fulfilling their own objectives or needs. Rather, the power of the volunteers
was one which worked to empower Andrew. The word “motivate” implies activity from both the motivater
and the motivatee, and thus it indicates power-sharing and transfer.
Not all of the Zambians interviewed had such high opinions of the volunteers. Alex Chimuka, a
Zambian volunteer in one of the local health clinics, was frustrated by the behavior of volunteers. He felt
that the volunteers brought valuable experience and education to the community, but did not try to share
or teach any of this to Zambians. He illustrated this through the example of blood pressure cuffs: “We
didn‟t have one for the past years. We didn‟t have those things, but you brought those. Instead of you using
them, just tell them „Well, you can use this BP machine like this, like this, like this.‟ Then, you see, I know.
But, instead of me doing that project, then I step down, I say, „No, she will do it.‟” Alex was explaining that
volunteers brought blood-pressure cuffs, but did not teach the reast of the clinic workers how to use them--
an action they should have taken.
Alex‟s theme was repeated in other interviews: most of the Zambians interviewed made at least
one reference to how the influx of volunteers had effected local work. Several commented on their desire
for African Impact to employ more Zambians, a desire not surprising for citizens of a country with a 50%
unemployment rate according to the CIA World Factbook. The volunteers also referenced the effects their
presence had on the local community‟s employment and volunteer work, especially in Nakatindi.
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