Description

The role of the volunteer will very much depend on their level of experience. Qualified practitioners will be able to use their skills where they are most needed, where more general work includes recording data, taking vitals, conducting tests, preparing patients for their appointment and conducting health talks.

Within hospices and home visits, volunteers will help with chores and provide comfort and some entertainment for patients who are bedridden. Community projects in the afternoon are an optional alternative to medical work and include building and refurbishment work, some agricultural labour on the elephant pepper project (working to keep elephants out of the villages and provide additional income for the poorest communities) and various art, craft and literacy classes within the community.

Highlights

Living in the town of Livingstone, your volunteer house is a sociable retreat. With TVs and DVD players you can relax after a hard day, with all your meals cooked for you. And if you still have energy at the end of the day, the town itself is a 5 minute walk away. At the weekends, take the opportunity to adventure on the Zambezi river, marvel at Victoria falls and explore Zambia's wildlife. You may even have an opportunity to join in the weekend activities of the local schools and sports groups.

Zambezi River

The Zambezi passes through six African countries and is Africa's fourth largest river. It's power has carved the spectacular Victoria Falls and the zigzagging Batoka Gorge. What's nice about the Zambezi is it is less developed and has many protected areas along it's banks. The river and the falls lay host to some exciting activities like rafting, abseiling, bungi jumping and river safaris.

South Luangwa National Park

This magnificent game reserve contains some of the most intense and concentrated wildlife populations in the world. The Luangwa River is the most intact major river system in Africa and is the life blood of the park. The now famous 'walking safari' originated in this park and is still one of the finest ways to experience this pristine wilderness first hand. The changing seasons add to the Park's richness ranging from dry, bare bushveld in the winter to a lush green wonderland in the summer months. There are 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species. The only notable exception is the rhino, sadly poached to extinction.

Kafue National Park

At roughly the same size as Wales Kafue is Zambia's oldest National Park and by far it's largest. This vast park encompasses a variety of landscapes. In the north the magnificent Busanga Plains are a vast flat expanse that stretches in all directions as far as the eye can see. Here the flat grassland plains are dotted with wild date palms, sausage trees and fig trees. You'll often also find huge herds of red lechwe and puku, as well as buffalo, zebra, wildebeest and other antelope. This area is regarded as the best game area in the Park.

Further south the Kafue runs into the Itezhi Tezhi Dam covering an area of 370 square kilometres. This vast inland sea is surrounded mainly by grassy plains and hippos are very common. Picturesque rocky bays and stretches of submerged trees provide perfect perches for the many species of waterbirds that inhabit the area.

Qualifications

You don't need to be qualified to work on this medical project, as there is a great deal of support work that needs unskilled help from those with enthusiasm and patience. However, for those who are qualified, you must ensure that you bring originals or certified copies of your medical qualifications in order for you to be allowed to work in specialized sections of maternity wards or laboratories. A First Aid Course is also highly reccommended, however this is not essential. There is a half day medical induction for every volunteer, but prior experience is helpful.

As the project primarily concerns home based care, there will be a lot of walking to and from patient's homes. Some days you may be walking up to 6km a day so a good level of fitness is required.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Pre-departure orientation/Training

Program Fees Include:

* Accommodation: Shared room in a volunteer house.
* Food: 3 meals per day - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
* Airport pick up and drop off (from Victoria Falls airport, Zimbabwe).
* Weekly laundry service
* Training: Pre-departure information pack, on-site Orientation and project induction provided.
* Transfers to and from your project each day
* Support: 24 hour support from on-site coordinator
* Transfers to and from your project each day
* Activities: Staff help organise weekend activities. (Activity price may be extra) Trips include: Bungee Jumping, White Water Rafting on the Zambezi, Helicopter Flights over Victoria Falls, Zambezi River Cruises, visits to Botswana's Chobe National Park and weekend excursions across to Zimbabwe

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Guest House

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Kaya Responsible Travel's Mission Statement

Kaya's mission is to promote sustainable social, environmental and economic development, empower communities and cultivate educated, compassionate global citizens through responsible travel.

Year Founded

2008