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Alumni Interview with Vongai Tizora

Here's what it's like to go on a Tiritose Sustainable Travel program!

Vongai Tizora
Vongai TizoraParticipated in 2019Volunteer Abroad | Zimbabwe

Vongai is a rising sophomore in Bioengineering. She remains active in her community as a volunteer at Carle Hospital, a researcher at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, and through pursuing leadership roles in career-focused organizations on campus. Eventually, she plans to become a physician to ensure people have access to health care, especially in countries where the need is great.

What inspired you to travel abroad? 

I have visited Zimbabwe several times, but that was for the sole reason of seeing family members. Those trips helped me to view the beauty of Zimbabwe through the perspective of family. This time, I wanted to combine my love of the medical field and Zimbabwe into one. There has always been a part of me that wanted to go back after receiving my M.D. and contribute to Zimbabwe's health care system. Therefore, it was crucial for me to see first hand what the health care situation was like and interact with the medical professionals who live and work there on a daily basis. 

Why did you choose Tiritose? 

For the longest time, I had been looking for study abroad opportunities in Europe and Latin America. I was leaning towards somewhere Spanish speaking because I have been learning Spanish for the last five years. One day I received an email through my Bioengineering department spotlighting the work Tiritose is doing bridging the gap between health care in urban and rural areas of Zimbabwe. I knew immediately this program was for me, given my background and interests. How fortunate was I to find that this was the first year Tiritose was doing this program at my University, and they were looking to eventually attract members of the Zimbabwean diaspora. Everything from the timing to the purpose of the trip fit together perfectly for me. 

What was your favorite part of Zimbabwe? 

My favorite part of Zimbabwe is the people. Their culture, stories, and overall warm presence made me feel welcomed and justified in coming. This statement is coming from someone who is Zimbabwean but grew up in the States. I always wondered if my joyful experiences in Zimbabwe were attributed to the fact that I only interacted with family members. Now that I have met other Zimbabweans who embraced me entirely, without even knowing me, and invited me into a glimpse of their world, I know their positive outlook on life is not an isolated phenomenon. I would be remiss if I did not mention the stunning views and beautiful scenery. 

A woman speaking to a small group 

Listening to a counselor describe how she empowers patients to embrace challenges in life. 

What made your experience abroad extraordinary? 

I was given the opportunity to travel to the Children Rehab Unit at Harare Central Hospital and Chidamoyo Christian in a rural area. Both health care settings had a unique perspective to provide. In both locations, I participated in community outreach. I would go with trained medical professionals and shadow them while they provided care to patients. In Harare their main focus was therapy. A majority of the children that we saw had cerebral palsy (CP), which is a neurological disorder that affects motor skills, communication, and development. Oftentimes the stretches that therapists would perform on children with CP caused them severe pain, so the other student volunteers would work to distract the children by playing and interacting with them. In Chidamoyo we again participated in outreach where we helped measure the height, and weight of the children during a well-baby clinic. The children received immunizations, and it felt very rewarding to be a part of that process. Overall, I would say that this experience abroad was extraordinary because we were active participants while volunteering. 

How did the local program staff support you throughout Tiritose? 

The local staff, namely Wesley Maraire, Sean Walpole, Tiffany Shadrick, and Solomon Mashonganyika, did a phenomenal job making sure that we were supported throughout our program. Not only did the shuttle us hours upon hours from location to location, but they provided us with camaraderie, professionalism, and insight. To say they were a highlight of the program would be an understatement. 

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad? 

I try to not look back on anything with regret, but I wish I had spent even more time talking to the locals and the patients. I feel that there might have been an added layer of pressure placed upon me as a Zimbabwean-American who cannot speak Shona in that I was hesitant to engage in conversations. That is not to say that Shona is the only language in Zimbabwe or that the patients were not fluent in English. I let my personal insecurity get in the way of digging deeper into the very lives that I sought to understand. 

Describe what a typical day in Zimbabwe looked like. 

A typical day began waking up early around 6 a.m. The group would eat breakfast together, grab their packed lunches, and hop onto a van heading to a volunteer site. Once at the sight, we would shadow physicians, therapists, nurses, etc. and view their daily routine. Sometimes we would contribute to the diagnosis process, other times we would watch and absorb all that we could. In Harare, we would end the volunteer shift with community outreach. At Chidamoyo Christian Hospital we would break halfway through the day to engage in tea time, which consisted of warm beverages and snacks before lunch. At the end of the day, we would have a group dinner to sit down and discuss what we had seen or just catch up over a warm, delicious meal. Afterward, we would go to bed, ready to start the process again the next morning. 

A group with a flag

Representing Illinois! 

What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad? 

During my free time, I enjoyed talking to my colleagues who also chose to embark on this journey with me. We would talk about our lives in the States, why we came to Zimbabwe, in addition to our hopes and aspirations for the future. During free time I would also write in my journal to document what had taken place. 

What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it? 

In the city, we stayed in a very nice home with a pool, several rooms, and wonderful service providers. What I enjoyed the most was being able to feel like I had a place to call home while abroad. In Chidamoyo the accommodations were similar; we still had several beds, a pool, and a place to call home. 

What is one thing every future participant should know about Tiritose before beginning?

Every future participant should try to gain somewhat of an understanding of the history of Zimbabwe. To understand the present, you must have an idea about what led Zimbabwe to where the country is today. 

Group photo with a flag

The Illinois group excited to embark on a journey of a lifetime! 

Would you recommend Tiritose to others? Why? 

Yes, I would. Trust is not something that I give out often, but I trust Tiritose enough to know that whoever I recommend will have an experience of a lifetime. 

What do you feel the greatest benefit of traveling abroad is? 

The greatest benefit of traveling abroad is stepping out of your comfort zone. Whether you are traveling 100 miles or 3,000+ miles away from your home, it is important to understand that the world is much bigger than we will ever be. We must humble ourselves by trusting in the good of people regardless of what their area code is. Through these shared experiences we take a piece of the places and people we visit back with us and make the world a slightly better place than when we found it; a place where we can all acknowledge the one universal fact that we are all human. 

Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life? 

My time abroad has refocused me on what I really want to accomplish after graduating. I now have a more clear understanding of what extent I will involve myself with Zimbabwe. Furthermore, I have contacts who can help me accomplish my goals. 

What does meaningful travel mean to you? 

Meaningful travel is dependent on what you hope to accomplish by the end of the trip. Putting forth an effort to be in the moment and take in as much as you can of the experience makes for meaningful travel.

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