Zambia – Environmental Impact Internship

Travel to Zambia and experience firsthand the authentic African culture and eye-opening lifestyle of native Zambians. Zambia is Africa’s most urbanized country, with a huge percentage of the population localized in just a few urban centers scattered throughout the country. These densely packed regions often suffer from extreme poverty, unemployment, HIV/AIDS and high illiteracy rates.

This project takes place in Livingstone, a town located in the Southern Province of Zambia and home to the famous Victoria Falls. Livingstone has a history of economic instability impacted by its proximity to the Zimbabwean border and restrictive regulations on trade in the past. However, Livingstone is now slowly emerging as a lively town with modern restaurants, shopping, hotels, and theaters.

Evidence of plastic pollution is everywhere. Of the 78 million tons of plastic produced annually, 32% flows into our oceans. To put this into perspective, this is the equivalent of pouring one garbage truck of plastic into the ocean every minute. By 2030, the rate is expected to increase to two per minute. Fast-forward to 2050, and this could mean that there will be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans.

The problem is compounded by the fact that plastic cannot be burned as the fumes are toxic and, while there has been an uptake in recycling, many rural areas in developing countries do not have access to these services. According to US scientists, the total amount of plastic ever made is 8.3 billion tons. This is the equivalent of 1.5 billion African elephants, or more than half a million blue whales.

Still, there is hope. This program is tailored for those who would like to combat this problem. Volunteers will work closely with Livingstone’s communities to devise waste management plans, educate children and come up with strategies to recycle the plastic waste present in Livingstone. By implementing these innovative programs, including the exciting process of eco-bricking, we are creating sustainable change within the community. What is an eco-brick? An eco-brick is a plastic bottle that is stuffed with other soft plastics inside, and then placed in cement.

Some of your tasks may include:

• Planning eco-brick projects as well as having the opportunity to get your hands dirty and actually assist with the builds.
• Working with local partners and officials to implement environmentally-green policies and promote the message of up-cycling.
• Getting involved in fundraising activities to generate donations for the program and our focal projects, including the building of a new community center.
• Sharing information about our initiative on various social media platforms.

Internet: WiFi is available at the complex for a small fee.

Laundry: Laundry services are available for an additional fee.

Accommodations: Volunteers will stay in shared, single-gender rooms in a guest lodge with access to a lovely swimming pool, hot tub, lounge and bar area and a full rock climbing wall! The accommodation is just a five-minute walk from the 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.

Food: Three meals a day are provided during the work week. Breakfast is self-service 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 neighborhood restaurants and local cuisine!

Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:

• Minimum age of 18 (16/17 with parental consent)
• Police clearance
• University degree for those staying longer than four weeks
• Passion for the environment

Volunteers will have weekends off to explore the area and go on additional trips. Although these are not included in your program fee, the field team 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
• Two-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
• Two-night boat cruise along the Zambezi River