Zambia – Livingstone Community Teaching – Images

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 – 12 January – 10 April
Term 2 – 11 May – 7 August
Term 3 – 7 September – 4 December

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

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: 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!

• Minimum age of 18
• Police clearance
• Immunizations (proof of Yellow Fever vaccination required for travel into Zambia. Consult your local travel clinic for any other recommendations)
• Strong desire to help others
• Ability to work in a team
• Basic English
• Visa Requirements: If you are volunteering in Zambia for 30 days or less, you will need to get a business visa upon arrival, with provided documentation to make the process easy. There is a small fee, which varies by nationality. If you are staying longer than 30 days, you must apply for a Temporary Employment Permit (TEP), which costs around $300–$400 USD. It’s best to apply for this before arriving, through an embassy. To qualify for the TEP, you must have a bachelor’s degree and be at least 21 years old.

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