Blog Post #2-LF

The word service has many different definitions depending on the context of the situation. Through my “service work” in Zambia, I have found a new definition for service. Before coming, I always thought service had a somewhat negative connotation. It seemed very one-sided as if service was restricted to one person helping another person who was of lesser rank or in greater need. However, this is not the case of my work at the Zambian Governance Foundation. The purpose of my work is to provide a research basis for a policy that will help the development of Zambia. My project is not to simply help those who are in need, but rather to increase knowledge and start conversation.

Additionally, after my peace corps experience, I have found another meaning of service. The underlying mission of a peace corps volunteer is to serve in an under-privileged community. However, while I did find that my peace corps volunteer Bertie does her service work in a rural clinic, she also lives in a rural village with the people she is serving. She lives as if she is one of them and not a superior being. Her friends and family are the villagers who she treats at the clinic. She is providing them with a service, but at the same time she is also learning from them. The villagers have taught her the language and the culture as well as helped her to build a place to live. When I do not restrict service to the one specific definition I mentioned above, I am able to realize the villagers are also engaging in service work to help Bertie, even if it is in a much smaller way.

Before coming to Zambia I never considered research to be service work. However, after reflecting on my service work in Zambia thus far, I am realizing how broad the definition of service is. The definition of service is “the action of helping or doing work for someone”. In Zambia, current research is lacking due insufficient time and funds meaning that my volunteered research efforts can be considered service work. In the rural health clinic, Bertie is needed as a volunteer because there is a large healthcare worker shortage in rural areas. Both of these examples can be considered service in their own unique ways because in both cases work is being done to help others.

In my opinion, I do not believe the success of service can be measured. Any type of service work, even if it is minor, is considered a success. However, what I think must be assessed is the motivation for service. The intentions for service work should not be selfish. That is not to say that you cannot receive personal satisfaction or learn new things through your service work, but rather the goal of service is to serve another person/people. At the end of my time in Zambia, I will consider my service to be successful if I have completed a research paper that could potentially be used towards farthing the diaspora engagement efforts to improve developments in Zambia.