The University of Iowa School of Social Work

Travel Study to India

india

Winterim 2011-12 

December 26-January 14

 

Economic and Health Care Innovations to Help Women & Children Escape Poverty

Instructor: Amy Butler (amy-c-butler@uiowa.edu)

Coordinator: R. Rajagopal (r-rajagopal@uiowa.edu)

A large part of the population of India remains extremely poor. A quick look at World Bank statistics: 44% of children under five are malnourished, female adult literacy is 48% (compared to 73% for men), 42% of families are living on less than $1.25/day. Yet visionary individuals and organizations work against the odds to find solutions where others only see problems.  In this course, we will visit, participate with, and learn directly from several innovative organizations employing a diverse variety of techniques to address social issues such as unemployment, poverty, leprosy, healthcare for the poor, illiteracy, combating blindness, and empowering women and children. 

This course has two foci: (1) innovations in children’s health care and hospital social work and (2) empowering poor women with financial independence.

Students will have a hands-on experience.  We will meet and talk with women who are participating in a microfinance program, observe their meetings, and explore how the program has changed their lives.  We will visit hospitals and talk with patients and their families about the hospital experience.  We will visit remote sites where villagers receive telemedicine care and pediatric care.  In addition, we will visit social agencies that address other needs of poor families including HIV/AIDS education and prevention, a leprosy asylum, support for women who experience domestic violence, and other services.

Travel broadens the mind and expands the self.  This course provides an opportunity for students to see the world from a different lens on many levels. We will help you understand how to reframe problems and difficulties into challenges and opportunities. You will see the world from an Eastern mindset, from a developing world perspective, from an economic perspective and from a spiritual perspective. This is truly a life altering experience that has the potential to expand your worldview.

We will visit

  • a leprosy asylum – a community for people with Hansen's disease and their families;
  • an organization that works with sex workers and provides a HIV/Aids prevention program;
  • Habitat for Humanity houses built for Mahasemam clients and their families; The Aravind Eye Hospital whose mission is to end unnecessary blindness with a focus on the poor
  • Thalir Thiran Thittm (Aparajitha Foundation), which has developed a life skills education program for children in the 7th through 12th grades and which will be expanded and extended to Mahasemam clients.

For more information about Winterim in India, go to http://www.uiowa.edu/~geog/india/apply.shtml

india





india

india