Baylor Law School’s Mission of Service Brought to Zambia
WACO, Texas– Baylor Law School selected three cohorts of externs to participate in the Zambia Juvenile Justice Field Placement program during the summer. The externs spent 30 days in Zambia working with the Undikumbukire Project Zambia (UP Zambia), where they worked alongside local attorneys to interview minors, update them on their cases, transcribe hearings, and prepare documentation for court appearances.
“I was struck by how positive these kids’ attitudes were in the face of enormous uncertainties. From that moment forward, I became extremely grateful for the small opportunity I had to help these kids forget their dire circumstances for a few hours,” Wade Noelke, anticipated JD’27, said after visiting Kamwala Remand Prison.
UP Zambia is a non-profit legal service organization that provides representation for juveniles facing criminal charges. The Zambian justice system lacks dedicated juvenile prisons, which often results in minors being incarcerated in adult prisons. These juveniles often remain without legal representation for extended periods of time.
“The speed of the Zambian judicial system was effectively ensuring that people served their sentences in prison before their final determination of guilt or innocence,” Reed Busler, anticipated JD’27, said.
Externs visited Mwembeshi Correctional Facility, which primarily holds prohibited immigrants. Many of the juveniles being held were from Ethiopia and had been trafficked or were trying to cross into South Africa. Minors who are prohibited immigrants often face difficulties being discharged, due to inefficiencies and oversights in Zambian law.
While at the Mwembeshi Correctional Facility, Alecia Johnson, anticipated JD’27, said the minors prepared an emotional skit showing their experiences of being trafficked into Zambia and sold.
The Zambia Juvenile Justice Field Placement highlights Baylor Law School’s dedication to serving others and upholding Christian principles. Selected externs accompanied minors to court and, when necessary, drafted appeals on their behalf. Some reports from the Baylor Law students were submitted directly to the court and positively influenced the outcomes of the juveniles’ cases.
Externs also assisted in packing and delivering donation boxes to juveniles in prison. Additionally, the students visited the women's prison and a psychiatric correctional facility, where they helped conduct interviews with clients to gather information for the attorneys.
“This trip has taught me that it is not what you have, what you are able to do, or even where you are, but rather who you are surrounded by that truly matters,” John Burdick-Rutz, anticipated JD’27, said in reflection of his time with UP Zambia.
Baylor Law students first worked with UP Zambia in 2018 and have gone for six summers since. Externs have the opportunity to engage in recreational activities with the UP Zambia clients as well as visit Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, during their field placement.
