What inspired you to travel abroad?
I wanted to see and learn more about the world. It’s very easy to get stuck in your own bubble at home, travelling makes you have to get out of your comfort zone.
My boyfriend and I have now been travelling for eight months and love it. Seeing new sights, meeting new people, and experiencing different cultures makes your life a lot richer.
Why did you choose your Simoonga Thandizani Trust School?
We found this organization on AirBnB while looking at places to stay near Livingstone. What we loved about the concept is that you can come here as a tourist and do as much volunteering as you like.
It is very laid back. This felt perfect for us. The pictures of the school looked very happy and genuine, which gave us a good initial feeling.
Playing with the children.
What was your favorite part about Zambia?
We loved how authentic and warm the atmosphere at the school was. The children looked very happy. The facilities are basic, but they allow you to experience life in a different way which I actually really liked.
In the afternoon, you can play with children from the village, who are very friendly and teach you about their language and culture, and you can teach them about you. Edwin and everyone else from the staff were really friendly and welcoming.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
For me, it was a lot of things. I loved interacting with the children and learning about their way of life. It was also great to get an authentic Zambian experience (washing our clothes by hand, cooking on the fire when the power is out), it was good to learn about these things. At night, there are beautiful stars to see. We also loved how kind and helpful everyone was.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
Yes! Edwin picked us up from the bus station and brought us to our next stay. When we needed to get groceries, his friend would bring us to the store.
If the power went out, they would help us prepare a fire for cooking. Angela also cooked us some great meals for lunch. The children from the village helped us do laundry and dishes. It made our experience really great.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I would have loved to have spent a little more time in the classroom at the school. We mostly helped with social media, which was also great.
But you can choose whatever kind of way you want to help. This worked best for us because we were only here for a short amount of time. But I would love to come back and spend a bit longer.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
We would wake up, have breakfast in the kitchen, and spend the morning in the office, to help Edwin with online tasks. When lunchtime came, we ate in the kitchen, where Angela had prepared a great meal.
In the afternoon, we had time to relax, shower, and play with the children from the village. When we were there, the power was out a lot so we had little internet. You can also choose to spend the day helping in the classroom.
Helping in the classroom.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
I mostly enjoyed exploring the area. I love nature and there are a lot of beautiful nature spots nearby (the national park Mosi au Tunya and the largest waterfall in the world!).
You can also choose to take a tour around the village. I also enjoyed getting to know the people here and spending time relaxing away from home.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
We had our own room. It was a small room, with a double bed. There is a kitchen close to the room that you can use.
There is one cold shower (I didn't mind it being cold, because it gets really hot during the day), and a toilet also close to the room. There is good internet, but it doesn't work if the power goes out.
What is one thing every future participant should know about Simoonga Thandizani Trust School before their program begins?
The most important thing is that you enjoy being around children because you will spend a lot of time interacting with them.
Also, be prepared to have basic facilities. Be open to a different experience than at home. I truly felt like I had all my needs met and my time at the school was really happy.
What the room looks like.
Would you recommend Simoonga Thandizani Trust School to others? Why?
Yes, I absolutely would. Being here, I can see how important it is for the community to keep the school running. The children here seem to be happy to go to school.
There is a really great atmosphere. As a volunteer, I felt really welcomed. Overall, I would say that my experience was really positive.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
I think the biggest benefit is that you will grow as a person. If you leave your comfort zone, you can learn so much about yourself and the world around you. My partner and I have been travelling for a while now—and I truly think it is the best thing we have ever done. It has taught me a lot about life.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I feel very grateful at home for all the things I have. It has also given me a new outlook on what is truly important in life (experiences over things). It has allowed me to enjoy life to the fullest even when back home. I have found a new kind of wanderlust to go travelling again someday.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel means getting out of your comfort zone, learning something new, and making an impact. I loved being able to give a little bit back to the world, after experiencing so many great things. Doing something to help others during my travels made me really happy and made my journey so much more meaningful.
