Global Student Collaboration: Transforming Communities in India
Temple PHBB students are partnering with PHBB students from Mahatma Gandhi Mission Dental College and Hospital in Mumbai (MGM) to bring educational activities and health promotion training to communities in the Maharashtra state.
2023: In March of 2023, we travelled to Mumbai to initiate a partnership with MGM which resulted in an executed Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions in May 2023 and paved the way for PHBB’s trip in 2024.
2024: A group of Temple students met with MGM students January 3-12, 2024 in Mumbai, India. The students from both institutions had been working during the 2023 fall semester via Zoom, WhatsApp and GroupMe to develop educational activities and materials. Temple students developed the activities and materials and MGM students assisted with the cultural adaptation, translation and implementation of the activities and materials.
Upon arrival, the students bonded very quickly and started practicing for their activities before implementing them at Turmale Village, Ajivali Health Center and a rural Boarding School. From performing a hand-washing dance to showing actual menstrual products and talking about menstrual health, the activities were a great success!
Each afternoon, all Team members gathered to talk about what worked, didn’t work, the lessons learned and the recommended changes. The Team also had many discussions about cultural competence to make sense of our cultural differences (American students plan everything! MGM students are so welcoming and supportive!).
This incredible group of students paved the way for a fruitful partnership between the two institutions and also presented seven posters at the College of Public Health Research Day, and will present one poster at the 2024 Annual American Public Health Association Meeting in November.
2025
A group of 7 students met with 10 MGM students throughout the 2024 fall semester to decide on the agenda for Temple’s visit December 31-January 10, 2025. Temple students developed the activities and materials and MGM students assisted with the cultural adaptation, translation and implementation of the activities and materials.
In October 2024, Temple students developed a survey on water quality and access (adapted from WHO/UNICEF Core questions on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene for household surveys: 2018 update), while MGM students translated it into Marathi and implemented it November 2024 among 136 households. Based on the survey results, the students developed activities on water treatment that they implemented in the villages of Sangurli and Chinchavan. The students also met with village leaders to talk about their findings and observations. A document with recommendations about water harvesting and water conservation is being develop and will be delivered to the village leaders in February/March.
Students conducted interactive nutrition activities with approximately 240 children ages 13-15 at the Sarnobat Netaji Palkar School, oral hygiene and handwashing activities with 55 elementary school children in Sangurli, delivered a presentation on menstrual health, menopause and iron-deficiency anemia to 38 parents in Sangurli, and conducted demonstrations with 46 community health workers on effective communication.
Some quotes from students:
“I don’t think words could describe exactly how thankful I am for this trip. Going to India with PHBB was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. Some of the things I got to encounter were something I would never get to see and have been aware of, in any other setting.”
“Reflecting on this trip made me realize how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to participate in this project. I always knew I was interested in public health but this hands-on experience in the field solidified my passion for this area.”
“This trip opened my eyes in many ways that I had not anticipated occurring and I think it is an experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Having the opportunity to go on such an impactful trip through a school program is so unique and I am so happy that Temple is able to offer this program.”
“Public Health Beyond Borders travel to India was one of the greatest experiences I’ve been a part of. I left Philadelphia with uncertainty and nervousness of what to expect, but once we met with MGM students, excitement set in, and I was eager to go out to the villages.”
“The exposure I’ve been granted to international health through my PHBB experience has highlighted what I value most about public health – that being the opportunity to engage in hands-on field work. The dynamic challenges and cultural contexts that come with global health work add layers of complexity that a desk job simply can’t replicate.”