Public Health Volunteer

Goa, India

The InterExchange Foundation Grant that I received upon returning to the United States was an integral financial support that helped me to balance the months of work I had missed while volunteering in India. It is because of this funding source that I was able to commit to eight weeks of service at the ASRO clinic in Goa. The following is an account of the types of work that I completed while in Goa, in addition to my personal reflections on my time spent at ASRO.

After six weeks of work in the ASRO clinic I could not be happier with my time spent volunteering. The clinic provided opportunities I did not know I would have while in India. I felt that I was warmly welcomed by everyone and made to feel comfortable and valued.

Working with Sister Nancy during counseling sessions allowed me to have firsthand experience with the patients of ASRO. I appreciated being included and having an opportunity to positively impact the individuals recovering at the clinic. I was very pleased that so much of my training and knowledge of psychology, as well as HIV/AIDS, could be put to use in counseling sessions with the patients, children, and amongst the staff. I am currently compiling information specific to counseling and HIV to send to the sisters at ASRO.

Working with the children was very rewarding as well. I think that each of the boys are well adjusted and quite blessed to be under such thoughtful care. They appear to be content and will be strong allies to the ASRO clinic in the future. I hope that they are a generation which will serve to educate other Indians that living a healthy, positive life with HIV is possible.

Having the opportunity to participate in the daily clinic activities, such as making beds and cleaning the patient rooms, was a wonderful way to get to know the various women who work at the clinic and to be present among the ward. I think that these basic tasks help the patients feel more comfortable with my presence. I was also appreciative that I could contribute to the overall care of the patients staying in the clinic.

Learning more of the medical aspect of HIV care in India was also very useful in helping me to understand how individuals living with HIV receive treatment and medications. I appreciate knowing these kinds of facts because they better inform my understanding of the stigma surrounding HIV as well as my research on individuals living with HIV in rural areas. It was wonderful to meet with Dr. Hugo and discuss the medications and difficulties he encounters with patients.

I had the chance to give a presentation to all the Sisters, outreach workers, and Dr. Hugo, which was an invaluable experience. I was pleased that I could pass along information that may impact the success of the clinic and outreach workers. I designed and will send back many tools that may be useful to the outreach workers. I had left many of my own materials on HIV at home, and did not bring any because I was unsure of what my work would entail.

I greatly appreciated sharing meals with everyone at the clinic, and feel that it made my time in India complete. Time spent talking with Sisters Vinita, Nancy, Annette, and Mary Michael was integral to my volunteer experience. I have learned a great deal about the culture and practices of people living in Goa. It was wonderful to be included in preparations for events and presentations made by the children.

I want to thank the InterExchange Foundation and the Working Abroad Grant for making this meaningful and unforgettable experience at ASRO possible.