Volu m e II - Purdue University Calumet

When African Impact opened its’ Zambian site, they sent the manager to the Nakatindi community
to observe and learn about the successful home-based care program there. However, once African Impact
started regularly sending volunteers, the Nakatinidi community health workers expected to be paid a salary
by African Impact. When African Impact refused, citing their lack of budget, the Nakatindi community
volunteers began to stop participating in the program. Today, only one single Zambian regularly guides
African Impact volunteer, meaning the home-based care in Nakatind is completely dependent on these
African Impact volunteers. Allie, a 19-year old American volunteer, gave a very clear opinion on the
matter: “I think we should stop doing home-based care in Nakatindi, that would make the community do it.
I think that would set an example, too, for the other areas, that that’s what happens. The only way to get
these people to do the work is to not do it.” Allie’s phrasing placed the people in the host-community in a
position of submission--she implied that African Impact had control over the community. An action by
African Impact would make the community act in a certain way. The obligation signified by “make” creates
the domination. Additionally, the phrase “set an example” is only used by those in authoritative positions,
and thus its’ use here by Allie reinforced the under-lying implication of control over the local population.
Equality perception varied within the interviews. Volunteers typically noted a situation of
inequality, while the Zambians interviewed perceived a more symbiotic relationship. Andrew Zulu said:
“Where they don’t know, we help. Where we don’t know, they help. We help one another, and therefore
we look forward to be all work as one.” Here, both parties are equally represented, and the needs of both
parties are being met. One volunteer said, “One of the things I’ve realized is just kinda how no matter
where you are, kids are kids and adults are adults and it doesn’t matter is you’re in China or if you’re in
Ecuador of the States or Zambia--if you give a kid a soccer ball they’re gonna play soccer. If you put a kid in
a classroom their gonna be fussy unless their doing something fun. Like, you know there’s crazy differences
across the world, but everyone’s gonna end and we’re all human and we’re all similar.” The description
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