Zambia – Livingstone Community Teaching

Volunteers are invited to contribute to this impactful initiative near the iconic Victoria Falls, assisting in rural primary schools overwhelmed with eager students. This opportunity is not just about providing educational support; it’s a gateway to gaining valuable teaching experience in the ‘Adventure Capital’ of Africa alongside international volunteers.

Program Highlights:

  • Live only a few km away from Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World
  • Support local teachers by providing classroom assistance in rural primary schools.
  • Offer individualized attention to students lagging behind, making a real difference in their educational journey.
  • Engage in a variety of community volunteer projects each afternoon, including reading support, art clubs, and building projects.
  • Experience adventure activities like bungee jumping and white-water rafting in Livingstone.
  • Participate in an overnight safari in Chobe, Botswana, and witness Africa’s iconic wildlife.
  • Join a diverse group of international volunteers, fostering global connections and cultural exchange.

 

Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum 10 day commitment):

Arrival Day, Monday: Upon your arrival at Livingstone International Airport (LVI), you’ll be warmly greeted and transported to your accommodation in Livingstone. This first day is for settling in, recuperating from your journey, and becoming acquainted with fellow volunteers. Monday afternoon features a guided tour of Livingstone, allowing you to familiarize yourself with this vibrant location that will be your home for the coming weeks.

Days 1-4, Tuesday-Friday: The first full week kicks off with an immersive volunteer experience. Tuesday through Friday mornings are dedicated to assisting in classrooms, where you’ll support local teachers and provide crucial one-on-one attention to students. Afternoon sessions vary, offering you the chance to participate in different community development projects, ranging from educational support to creative and building activities. This period allows for a deep dive into the local community’s needs, offering impactful ways to contribute.

Day 5 – 6, Saturday-Sunday: The weekend is your time to explore and indulge in the thrill of adventure that Zambia is renowned for. Saturday offers a break from the volunteer work, giving you the chance to engage in adrenaline-pumping activities like bungee jumping and white-water rafting. Sunday is typically a day of rest or for personal exploration, allowing you to recharge and prepare for the week ahead.

Remaining Weeks: The remaining weeks will follow a similar schedule of volunteering Monday-Saturday and Sundays off. Use your weekends to take day trips to Victoria Falls, go on boat cruises on the Zambezi River or take a safari through the Chobe National Park. For volunteers staying 10 days the departures will be on a Wednesday. For volunteers staying 2 weeks or more, departures are on Mondays.

 

Location icon Location of the Project: Livingstone, Zambia

Project length Project length: Min 10 days – Max 12 weeks

Arrival Airport Arrival Airport: Livingstone International Airport (LVI)

Volunteer Work Volunteer Work:  Classroom assistance, community development.

Age Age:  17-80

Number of Volunteers Number of Volunteers: Up to 20 international participants

Important Note Important Note: Volunteers staying 30 days or less will need to apply for a business visa upon arrival to Zambia – documentation will be provided to apply easily upon arrival. Volunteers staying longer than 30 days will need to apply for a “temporary employment permit.” This costs approximately $300 – $400 USD to be paid upon arrival in Zambia. You must be at least 21 years old to be eligible for this visa.

 

What’s Included

Accommodations Accommodations: Shared single-gender rooms in a volunteer house

Food Food: Three meals a day (excluding weekends)

Airport Transfers Airport Transfers:  Airport transfers are included on both arrival and departure days

Orientation Orientation: All necessary training and introductions provided upon arrival.

Support Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

 

What’s not Included

Flights, visas (approx. $50 USD), travel health insurance, weekend meals, personal expenses

Livingstone is located in the Southern Province of Zambia, just moments away from the legendary Victoria Falls. The town has become a popular tourist destination for those eager to see the beauty and grandeur of the water falls and spectacular wildlife, as well as those interested in becoming immersed in a rich and extensive history and culture. Livingstone boasts numerous attractions such as safaris, museums, historical buildings, and offers a wide range of outdoor activities to get your heart pumping, such as bungee jumping and white water rafting.

 

Volunteers are instrumental in addressing the challenges of overcrowded classrooms, offering much-needed individual attention to students who are at risk of falling behind. By supporting local teachers, leading after-school clubs, and participating in community development projects, volunteers can make a significant impact on the local educational landscape. This blend of teaching, community involvement, and cultural exchange makes the program a rewarding experience for those looking to make a tangible difference.

 

After your morning teaching work, you will participate in a number of other afterschool initiatives. These include:

  • Building and construction projects: You will be building classrooms for childhood education initiatives.
  • Reading club: Help children after school with reading and literacy.
  • Art club: Plan your own arts-and-crafts projects to nurture creativity.
  • Adult literacy club: Help young adults in the community improve their literacy and ultimately find employment.
  • Afterschool clubs: Play with preschool-aged children after school.

 

A typical day: After breakfast, your work day begins at 7:45 am at one of the morning projects. After a one-hour lunch break at 11:15 am, you will take part in one of the afternoon community projects until 5:00 pm, when you will be taken back to the volunteer house for dinner. Evenings and weekends are free and can be spent as you wish.

Important Dates: As we work within local communities, our projects are affected by the school terms. Local partners take time off to spend with their families on public holidays and our school/education-based programs are structured slightly differently during the school and exam holidays. Some of our projects may be put on hold whilst the kids are on leave, but there is no shortage of important and rewarding community work to be done here.

School Terms:
Term 1 – mid January – mid April
Term 2 – mid May – mid August
Term 3 – beginning September – beginning December

Internet icon Internet: WiFi is available at the complex however it’s slow in the area. Staff will assist volunteers to purchase a local SIM card with a data package for a small fee.

Laundry icon Laundry: Laundry service is available for about $4 USD per load.

Accommodations icon Accommodations: Volunteers will sleep in same-sex, shared rooms (for 6-8 people) in a large, comfortable, and secure volunteer complex located just a 5 minute walk from Livingstone’s town center. Bed linens are provided (but please bring your own towel), a lockable cupboard is available in each room to store your valuables (please bring your own padlock), and a daily cleaning service is included as well. The complex provides great social opportunities with other volunteers as it can house up to 87 people total and contains a dining area, bar, T.V. lounge, resource center, swimming pool, large garden, and a rock climbing wall.

Food icon Food: Three meals a day are provided during the work week. Breakfast is on a serve-yourself basis and includes cereals, toasts, coffee, and tea. Lunch and dinner are full meals prepared by the staff cook. Meals are not provided on the weekends, so this is a great time to go out and explore the local restaurants and cuisine!

 

Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:

  • Minimum age of 17
  • Police clearance
  • Basic level of English
  • High school diploma is required for all volunteers staying longer than 4 weeks
  • Good physical fitness
  • Motivation to work with children
  • Full travel and medical insurance
  • Immunizations (please consult your local travel clinic)

Not Included:
Volunteers will get weekends off to explore the area and go on trips. Although these are not included in your program fee, our staff would be happy to help you arrange exciting excursions for this time. In the past, volunteers have enjoyed:

  • Dinner/sunset cruise on the Zambezi River
  • 2 night safari in Chobe National Park
  • White water rafting on the Zambezi River
  • Bungee jumping and gorge swings over the Batoka Gorge
  • Helicopter ride over the Victoria Falls
  • 2 night boat cruise along the Zambezi River

 

Important Notes: For this program, volunteers are required to purchase a business visa to Zambia upon arrival. For a single entry, it will cost about $50 USD, and for multiple entry, about $80 USD. It is the sole responsibility of the participant to arrange for and cover the costs of the appropriate visa.
Volunteers travelling to Zambia for over 30 days will need to apply for a Temporary Employment Permit, which costs approximately $250 USD.

Zambia has recently begun to require proof of vaccination for Yellow Fever upon arrival per recommendation of the World Health Organization. Consult your doctor to arrange this and to discuss any other immunization recommendations.

Volunteer Experiences

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