Laura Kunzman |
| Country of Service |
| Morocco |
| Dates Served |
| 2006 - 2008 |
| Volunteer Position |
| Health- Water and Sanitation |
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| Description of main volunteer activities: |
| As a volunteer, I predominantly worked as a health educator and a small-scale infrastructure project facilitator. I mostly worked with the local health clinic and middle school. Together, we coordinated health seminars for women and children in various settings focusing on a variety of health issues from dental care to family planning. I also assisted in locating funding and coordinating construction of a water reservoir and delivery system for the local middle school, student boarding house, and health clinic, which now allows access to potable water 24/7 to over 350 students as well as the health clinic staff and their patients. I implemented a Medical Waste Incinerator program, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, for four rural health clinics throughout the region. As a secondary project, I assisted with the creation and organization of a women’s association focused on socioeconomic development for the women of my community. |
| How Peace Corps service influenced decision to go into nursing and future plans: |
| In college, my fascination with the field of international development was already well established, however, lacking field experience I was unsure to which aspect of international development I was best suited. Consequently, I decided to serve as a volunteer in the Peace Corps. I spent two years in Morocco as a health volunteer attempting to give people more options, but I found that I was woefully unprepared to do so. I had few answers to give, and even fewer good options to offer. Though I had learned their language and could convey a great deal of valid information, it felt like what I was doing was still strikingly inadequate. I could have done so much more with more advanced knowledge and appropriate training. In spite of personal frustrations, I truly enjoyed the public health projects I did work on during my service, and decided that I wanted to continue working to improve health conditions for marginalized populations. I saw firsthand you truly don''t have anything if you don''t have you health. Ultimately, I want to return to the developing world and work in conjunction with local groups to facilitate better choices with regard to health care. |
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