A CREDITON man is speaking out about his voluntary work in Zambia, where 60 per cent of the population live below the poverty line and the average life expectancy is just 62, nearly 20 years below the UK.

David Nathan (20), is four weeks into a three-month stint in Zambia, working on a Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) project to improve knowledge and understanding of good sexual health, to help combat the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.

A total of 1.2 million Zambians currently live with HIV, and there were 20,000 AIDS-related deaths in the country last year.

Dave, a former pupil at Queen Elizabeth’s School in Crediton, travelled to Zambia as part of the International Citizen Service (ICS) programme, funded by UK aid.

Working alongside young Zambian and British volunteers, Dave is helping to deliver sex education classes at local schools and youth groups.

He and his team-mates are also organising awareness-raising days in the local community, and will be training local volunteers to become Sexual Health Champions who will continue to offer information, advice and counselling about sexual health to young people in Zambia when the volunteers leave.

Dave said: “The community I’m working in, Samfya, faces many sexual health challenges. There is lots of misinformation, with crazy rumours going round, such as that having sex standing up or drinking boiled ‘Coca Cola’ with paracetamol can prevent pregnancy. Young people often don’t know where to look for the truth, and are unable to get honest factual information from older generations.

“This is why we are establishing Youth Friendly Corners run by young people, for young people, where any questions can be answered and condoms can be accessed discreetly in confidence.

“We also run sessions in communities and schools, where we try to dispel myths and give vital information regarding anything from HIV and gender based violence to nutrition and abortions. The school sessions have been going really well, and all the kids are really interested to know more about how they can look after their sexual health.

Dave added: “Many have never been shown how to use a condom, and were unaware they could get them confidentially and for free, but say they will now be comfortable accessing and using them.

“Last week we organised a community fun day, which attracted all kinds of people from the community. As well as having fun playing football and music, we raised lots of awareness about the issue of teenage pregnancy, and contraception. It was lots of work to organise, but it’s great to see we are making a real difference in the local community."

ICS volunteers work alongside young local volunteers in some of the poorest communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America on issues like sexual health, education, women’s rights and economic empowerment - fighting poverty and creating positive, lasting change.

Dave added: ”I applied for ICS because I wanted to experience another culture but also volunteer and make a positive difference at the same time. It promotes sustainable development, and allowed me to do a project that focuses on health as this is the area I am most interested in."

Before he left for Zambia, Dave raised £820 for VSO, which will go towards ensuring communities in developing countries benefit from the work of future volunteers.

As well as making a difference in some of the world’s poorest communities, ICS volunteers gain valuable skills and experience. After returning to the UK on April 9, Dave will also take on an Action at Home project, ensuring that his new skills also benefit his local community.

Felicity Morgan, Director of ICS at VSO, said: "ICS volunteers like Dave are doing amazing work around the world, every day. Our volunteers have helped promote children’s rights in Nigeria, campaign against child marriage in Bangladesh and bring safe drinking water to communities in Nepal.

"We’re incredibly proud that UK aid is supporting young Brits bring about positive change in some of the world’s poorest communities.

“As an organisation working on the frontline against poverty VSO see how people across Britain play an important role in delivering UK aid; from the NHS and Army helping end the Ebola crisis, to the millions who donate, and the contribution we all make through a tiny percentage of our taxes, together we are all making the world fairer."

For more information about ICS and how to apply, visit: http://www.volunteerics.org/ .

Alan Quick