(The Capuchin, Vol. 10, No. 2, 1993)
Sinéad O’Brien
What kind of background do you come from?
I was born in Raheny near Dublin, the eldest of five children, and worked in Church and General, the insurance company, for six and a half years. I spent the years 1990-92 in Mangango in Zambia.
Why did you decide to go to Zambia?
I always had an ambition to work for a time in a Third World country. I’d done voluntary work at home in the Scouts, a youth club and with deprived children. But I felt a need to do more, and Africa was a great attraction for me.
Did you come through an agency?
Yes. I came through Viatores Christi and the Irish government Agency for Personal Service Overseas.
What kind of work did you do?
I worked in a hospital in Mangango, in a rural area of Zambia, helping with accounts, dealing with trades unions, salaries, income tax, provident fund, as well as helping in the dispensary, distributing clothes and a lot of other jobs as well.
What were the highlights?
It was great when I was able to feel at home there after the initial home-sickness, to meet so many lovely and special people, to experience real happiness, to learn about cultures and customs, and to have a baby named after me!
Where there any disappointments?
There weren’t any real disappointments. I’d like to have learned the language better but there were seven local languages so it was difficult to learn more than the basic greetings and phrases in each one.
What kept you going when things got tough?
Support from the sisters and the priests on the mission as well as friends in Mangango and other missions. Also letters from home seemed to come just when they were needed.
Have you any suggestions for people thinking of going to Africa?
Be open! Be aware that you have a lot to learn from other people because customs and culture differ. Be patient and understanding. Good communication with fellow workers and other volunteers is important. So is looking after your health. Enjoy your time with the local people and respect them; you’ll receive more in human relations, and, if you’re willing to learn, you’ll be a better person for it.
What future do you see for Africa?
Many people compare Africa to the Western world, and this is unfair. Africa has customs, traditions and cultures of her own and most of them are good. The people have great community support and a willingness to help each other. Although their pace of life is slower than Europe and sometimes infuriating, their sense of people and a person’s importance, be they rich or poor, is something we should learn about. I can see a great future for Africa, if AIDS doesn’t do too much harm first. But AIDS is a major disease here at present, and many people are dying of it. Children are left orphaned and the extended family system cannot cope with the numbers. Governments are trying to combat this and hopefully they will succeed. It will involve a change of lifestyle for African people, and many have already done this. Please God, the future will be good.
Would you do it again?
Yes, but maybe next time, not on my own.