Development work in Africa for many is a calling to help people met by a commitment to provide solutions for poverty-related issues. For some, their work in Africa is in response to a call or request to provide special expertise in an area of desperate need. For me, it was a glorious fight for a job in my professional field, a chance to work alongside a fellow Zambian, and a year to engage with locals to better understand the challenges as we work together on improving the health landscape in Zambia. I humbly accepted a position as a Senior Research Associate at the highest authority in the country under the President at the Ministry of Health.
At the Ministry, I work within the Department of Disease Surveillance and Research. This office focuses on researching pertinent issues that affect health outcomes or those that impede social or economic progress, and provides updates on the status of diseases endemic to Zambia. No day is the same for us at the Ministry. We respond to the needs of the country and with the ongoing watch on Ebola, our office has been quite busy managing multiple agendas. Over the past four months, I have participated in meetings with the Minister of Health, Dr. Joseph Kasonde, assisted in publishing national reports, co-authored a research proposal, and traveled both within country and internationally representing the Ministry.
Reflecting over the first phase of my fellowship brings to mind a number of things: first impressions, initial expectations at the Ministry, co-fellow commitments, and overall adjustments to everything new. I’m reminded of an exercise learned in my graduate class called Dynamics of Social Change. My professor had unique activities for creating reflective moments through either journaling experiences or paired conversations. One of my favorites was called the “Seven Why’s.” You start with one question and after answering the first one, you follow by asking “why.” Each answer is addressed with another “why” until it has been asked seven times. Two weeks ago, I subjected myself to Professor Singhal’s activity in answering this question: Global health work in Africa, a passion or a calling? Here are my responses:
Global health work in Africa, a passion or a calling?
- Both. Why?
- Callings are answers, actions or responses to a request, usually temporary or defined by a time period. While one’s passion in life is cultivated over the course of their lifetime and the path to discovery is infinite. It’s transferable and universal in any setting. My passion for public service called me to Africa. Why?
- Prior to joining GHC and falling in love with my work at the Ministry, my first job in Africa was with the Nairobi Women’s Hospital in Kenya. I developed a rebellious energy to be in the field on the continent instead of working on reports and programs from a distance in the US. That experience changed my views on global health, social change and development work. Today, I’m here because my work is not about me; it’s an opportunity to function in a disparate system and through that work towards defining solutions fit for Zambia. Why?
- Sometimes it’s important to recognize that as the old adage encourages, ‘If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.’ I’m here to recognize the bright spots. Why?
- The bright spots are the answers to eliminating decades of misunderstanding the health issues and social challenges affecting many African countries. Behavior change requires trust, and I believe the bright spots are the secrets to achieving health equity in Zambia. Why?
- Development work is guided by many principles. One being to ensure that programs generate more good than harm. My job is to ensure that all research done in Zambia meets ethical standards, promotes not violate the health rights of all Zambians, and that it complies with the health priorities. I work hard everyday to closely examine research proposals to hold everyone to the same high standards. Research matters. Why?
- Progress relies on everyone. Africa rising is me rising above my expectations, accepting what works and fixing the broken, and serving not steering in a changing landscape fit for Zambia. Why?
Global health is my passion and Africa is home.