What is Project South Africa?

Project South Africa is a University of Denver International Service Learning Program that combines service work with academic study in South Africa during the summer term. Project South Africa is the first University of Denver Service Learning Program based in Africa, and is unique in its focus on health and mental health care issues. The program begins in the United States during spring quarter with an overnight retreat and several evening class sessions during which we discuss our own complex and imperfect American health care system and the multiple, severe health issues challenging South Africa today. We also introduce the history, politics, economics, and culture of South Africa, while exploring how these forces have influenced the evolution of South Africa's health care system.

In mid-June we travel to South Africa itself and begin the four week in-country program. We will spend approximately two and a half weeks based in Stellenbosch, a university town of 90,000 in the Western Cape. Stellenbosch is located in a beautiful wine growing region about 40 minutes from Cape Town. The group will work with Hope Worldwide in the large township of Khayelitsha. In addition, we will visit urban and rural health care facilities and travel to various cultural, historical, and natural sites. After the Stellenbosch experience, students will move to Bredasdorp, a rural area in the Western Cape Province near the southernmost point on the African continent. Students will spend a week witnessing the delivery of health care and providing service to local youths through health education and promotion. The program additionally includes a three-day safari to a southern African game park where students will see the flora and fauna unique to southern Africa and learn how conservation of wildlife and natural resources benefits the health and well-being of the local population.

Students will interact with South African peoples from a range of cultures, communities, and ages, including township residents, community-based health care workers, non-traditional healers and experts in a number of academic disciplines. Project South Africa has several key goals. First, the program aims to expose students to the history, politics, economy, and culture of South Africa. Second, the program provides students with an opportunity to critically evaluate the South African health care delivery system, including governmental and non-governmental responses to current public health crises affecting the country. Third, the pre-departure seminars and the in-country service will provide students with the foundational knowledge necessary for engaging in a comparative analysis of the American and South African health care delivery systems.

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What is ISL?

International service learning is:

      volunteer service united with academic study for credit;
      a means of integrating classroom theory with active and          reflective learning in the world;
      a way to help others while immersing yourself in          another culture;
      an opportunity for dual exchange of ideas with people          from other countries; and
      a challenging and rewarding way to learn and gain          international experience.

Simply put, it's your chance to put classroom learning to work in the field, to get an inside glimpse of life in another culture, and to learn from others as you engage in service alongside them.

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Who may apply?

Project South Africa will be open to all undergraduate and graduate students regardless of their prior travel, academic or work experience. Mature, self-motivated individuals who demonstrate a positive attitude, initiative, flexibility, and strong interpersonal skills are invited to apply. University of Denver students are given priority over non DU students. If the program is not filled with DU students, we will consider accepting non-DU students, but students must be available for all on-campus meetings prior to departure.

Students are selected based on the quality of written applications, an interview, and a recommendation (see the application form).

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Academic Component

Course Name: Health Care in the Context of History, Politics, Economics and Culture: International Service Learning in South Africa

Taught by Louise McDonald, MD, Project South Africa will offer students an introduction to the history, politics, economics, and culture of South Africa, while exploring how these forces have influenced the evolution of South Africa's health care system. Students will engage in a comparative analysis of the American and South African health care systems, focusing on the areas of funding, access to care, quality of care, the public health, preventive health care, health education and promotion, and research.

Students will explore topics such as:
• The history of colonialism and the legacy of apartheid
• The democratic transition and its aftermath, including the work of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission
• South African religions and cultures
• Human rights issues
• The current South African health care system, its evolution, and the particular problems it faces (i.e., public health crises such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis)
• Issues in medical ethics in the U.S. and South Africa
• The theory and practice of service learning

Service Component
Students will volunteer for a total of about 60 to 65 hours of service in towns and townships in the Western Cape Province. The service will concentrate on interaction with youths involving health education and promotion on topics such as HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, nutrition, substance abuse, and healthy lifestyles. Students will also have the opportunity to serve victims and orphans of AIDS and to join staff on a mobile unit providing health care to people living in remote rural areas.

Students are required to:
• Participate in an orientation retreat
• Attend and participate in three 3-hour academic seminars to be held during Spring Quarter
• Complete assigned readings and written assignments, and prepare presentations on their work to colleagues
• Develop a service project based on the availability and needs of the selected South African service sites
• Participate in guest speaker presentations and reflection sessions while in South Africa
• Volunteer approximately 65 hours in South Africa
• Keep a journal documenting their volunteer experience in South Africa
• Produce a portfolio that integrates classroom learning with in-country experience
• Attend a re-entry session upon return to Colorado

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Who to contact?

Louise McDonald, MD
Program Director
Email: louise.mcdonald@du.edu

Girish Paranjape, DO
Program Associate Director
Email: girish.paranjape@hcc.du.edu

Jeremiah Mashore
Program Coordinator
Email: jmashore@du.edu

Karyn Sweeney
Advisor, International Service Learning
Phone: 1-303-871-4762
Email: karyn.sweeney@du.edu

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