BOSP Overseas Seminar in Sri Lanka

Abstract (Presented at the 2018 APHA Conference in San Diego, California)

Background: This Community Engaged Learning course was a collaboration between Stanford University and our community partner, Sarvodaya in Sri Lanka (2015-2017). In conjunction with Sarvodaya, students developed a collaborative community-based project to gain a deeper understanding of the infrastructure that builds healthy communities. 

Methods: Sarvodaya facilitated a partnership with a rural Sri Lankan village. Using Participatory Photo Mapping (PPM), a community-based research method that combines photography and narratives within a specific geography, students worked with villagers to identify a community issue and viable solutions. A diverse group of village members identified a place of local importance to photograph and took pictures. A focus group with all community members commented on the projected images, identifying and deepening knowledge of issues; the most prominent of which was environmental pollution around a treasured ancient reservoir. Qualitative data analysis methods were used to identify the community's key themes and proposed solutions. 

Results: Findings were presented to the villagers and together, one solution of increasing signage to prevent pollution at the reservoir was selected for its feasibility and projected impact. After the trip, students compiled photographs, comments and themes to give to the community. Students also raised money, which was sent to the village to purchase signage. 

Conclusion: After data analysis, students and instructors developed a report that was compiled and vetted with our community partner. At our partners request, the paper report was shared with the village leaders and photographs and the power point were shared on five flash drives.