Research in Zithulele
Because of the intersection of the Hospital, NGO, and traditional Xhosa communities in Zithulele, many different individuals, groups, and organizations are based here for research projects of varying scope and subject. Researchers, PhD candidates, medical and undergraduate students all spend varying amounts of time making Zithulele their home as they learn about this wonderful and surprising community.
Keep an eye on this page to see what comes of the different projects!
Keep an eye on this page to see what comes of the different projects!
Princeton Student Research 2012: Diane Jeon and Veronika Lipkova
Diane and Veronica at Hole in the Wall
Diane and Veronika are two Princeton University undergraduates that came to stay in Zithulele for a two month period during which they researched how the local Xhosa community perceived and understood education and childbirth through two community surveys.
After lots of walking and talking, they presented their findings to the Zithulele Community and wrote the following paper so that others might "enjoy and benefit from [their] experiences, whether they are new volunteers who have difficulty imagining what it is like to live and work in Zithulele village (just as we once did) or dedicated NGOs curious about helping and understanding the local community."
For them, "coming to Zithulele was like making Xhosa bread for the first time—but without a recipe—a process that required a love of surprises, patience, and a willingness to experiment and learn."
After lots of walking and talking, they presented their findings to the Zithulele Community and wrote the following paper so that others might "enjoy and benefit from [their] experiences, whether they are new volunteers who have difficulty imagining what it is like to live and work in Zithulele village (just as we once did) or dedicated NGOs curious about helping and understanding the local community."
For them, "coming to Zithulele was like making Xhosa bread for the first time—but without a recipe—a process that required a love of surprises, patience, and a willingness to experiment and learn."
| education_and_childbirth_lipkovajeon.pdf |