Female Empowerment Volunteer Project in Zambia

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience teaching in Zambia. Things were organised well here and there was a good variety of after school activities but I felt the evening time could have been used more productively. I would have loved to spend an hour one/two evenings a week with the local elderly people perhaps at a care home. The group dynamic was good for the first half of my time here until all the original people left and 9 Italians joined. Although efforts were made by management to encourage them to be inclusive and to speak English, they didn’t comply. This created a split in the group and greatly affected the overall dynamic. The rooms are organised by gender but a girl and a boy were sharing a bed for the majority of the nights. This group were just highly disrespectful on a lot of levels. When I was sick, the staff on the ground were so attentive to me and guided me towards the correct medicine to purchase also. One thing that took me by surprise was when I asked about buying school supplies for the school I was volunteering in and leaving them with the principal for her to decide how best to use them. I had fundraised and gathered donations that I assumed I would have the liberty of deciding how my that money should be spent, to be told that any donations had to be left with African Impact and would be used as incentives/prizes for their projects. The staff were so lovely and I met a lot of lovely people. However, I think volunteers should be over the age of 18 as immaturity affects impact hugely.

This was a life changing experience. African Impact is the real deal and they are doing everything the correct way. They are leaving a lasting impression on the community in Livingstone. The staff is incredible. The food is amazing. The live is real.

I would recommend the Girl Impact programme in Livingstone, Zambia to anyone! It has really been the most fulfilling and incredible month. Teaching girl impact is really fascinating and i think that the girls in the communities really enjoy the sessions. It’s just incredible and I cannot wait to come back!

To write a short review on how incredible my time spent here in the greater Kruger area with this team has been, is impossible. This will forever be the greatest trip of my life. I have made incredible memories and ever more incredible friends. I have loved every second of my 12 weeks here and I wish I didn’t have to leave so soon.

Volunteering for African Impact in Zambia is an amazing experience! The staff are all so welcoming and helpful, and the programmes are so fun to be part of. There’s a really nice atmosphere at the base and there are so many activities/sessions on offer.

It was a wonderful experience where you get to interact and work with people from all over the world and get to dive deep into Zambian culture. Everyday I learned something new, from the staff, the como ties we worked with, and the other volunteers.

This experience has been incredibly enlightening for me. While learning about sustainable development goals, I realized how much Western culture has contributed to climate change and how unfairly Africa is suffering the consequences, even though they’ve contributed the least to the problem. In Zanzibar, I was struck by how happy the people are, despite having so few material possessions. They don't have the constant availability of clean water or electricity like we do, yet their joy and contentment are clear. It made me see that true happiness doesn't come from having lots of stuff. This trip taught me that money isn't everything. I’ve discovered that life feels richer and more meaningful when I'm connected to nature and living simply.

I had the best time with AI on the Girl Impact program. Barbs and the team were all brilliant at making sure we got exposure to a range of schools and topics to teach. I also had the opportunity to run a bespoke workshop with the woman’s group which was designed around my business experience and work I do at home.

The organization is absolutely wonderful and the staff in Zambia are incredible. The staff and other volunteers become your family after such short time that you feel right at home. The lessons that are taught during girl impact in Zambia are such great life lessons for the children and even I learn as I teach them! You truly get a real cultural experience in Livingstone working in the schools, having time to make connections in the community and being able to explore!

Amazing experience. Working with the most amazing kids and helped with the most incredible staff. My stay was one of the best experiences I have had. It is the most amazing experience. You learn on the job which I love and the people here are so kind. Also - bring a power bank!

I’m a 20 year old British girl who has been travelling for 10 months prior to coming to this volunteering program in Cape Town. I did 3 weeks in education visiting four different schools and then 2 weeks visiting four other schools. I have loved both of these projects so much but they have also been very different from one another. I feel like in education you have more of a bond/close relationship with the children as you work more closely with them whereas with sports they are all crazy and running around with their friends. Going into lots of different schools have really opened my eyes to different cultures and that each child has such different home life situations and backgrounds. The staff here at African Impact have really made my time here so enjoyable they are such a nice close team who are so welcoming and funny to be around. Being with people you don’t know for 5 weeks in such a close intimate living situation could be stressful if you don’t get on so I’m truly greatful to have such a lovely team around me making me feel right at home and have the most incredible time. If anyone is in the position to do this experience I would 1 million percent say to do it I have learnt so many things not just about myself but also my outlook on life.

The experience was very good: the staff friendly and knowledgeable;the accommodation comfortable;the weekend activities varied and interesting. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the experience of wildlife monitoring. The development of more in-depth skills, for example the use of GIS, would be a nice improvement to a programme that even now is good.

In this volunteering program, I not only spend my efforts to conservation, but also earn a lot of knowledge and skills on photography, ecological knowledge and conservation methods. Volunteers were mostly passionate and nice, and staff members were really kind and helpful. Sometimes there will be some wifi, water and electricity issues but it’s a remote area so that’s understandable.

We were here for 3 weeks contributing to healthcare, sports ed, and English classes for grades 5 and 6 with 11 university students. We had an amazing time, learned so much fro. community members and AI staff. We engaged in meaningful ways with local youth and adults. We also appreciated the deep community knowledge that AI staff shared with us on project. Tinta, Audrey, Barbs, Michelle, Chisa, and John were wonderful mentors and cultural guides. We appreciate the meals masterinded by Mama Josephine and her team. It was all lovely and we hope to return one day. Thank you.

I came to volunteer with AI with Colorado State University. My time here has truly been an experience of a lifetime. I have grown so much here and made such strong connections with the staff and other volunteers. The staff is so welcoming and ensures you will have a great time here.

Keep an open mind!! I was the first ever medical volunteer for the medical project in Cape Town. There is room for improvement but overall I truly had an amazing time and shed a few tears upon leaving.

The staff and the fellow volunteers were amazing - so much fun and the girl impact program is excellent— so important for the local community. The support they give and the consistent positive and essential information they teach is fantastic. The local staff have created several really pertinent and useful programs for the community. It was an honour to be a part of the African Impact

My stint at African Impact has been insane, in the best way possible. From the get-go, I felt right at home and comfortable – the vibe, the folks, and the critters around here are all incredible. I've been here for 10 weeks, but it feels like 10 minutes – time just flew by. If I had it my way, I'd extend my stay to a full year. The staff is the biggest reason why I loved it here. Always down for a chat, super flexible, and involving me in everything. The guides and researchers were literally walking encyclopedias! I couldn't imagine writing my thesis without their invaluable help. Especially my research coordinator, she was nothing short of amazing! As my time here draws to a close, I never expected to feel so sad about leaving. But then again, I never expected to meet such wonderful friends.

I’ve enjoyed every second of my time with African Impact in Zambia. Such an amazing group of people. The hostel is a great place to live, and the food provided during weekdays is also very nice. Will definitely come back one day :)

I have been here for 3 weeks and it has been an amazing time. Everyone are so kind, helpful, happy that we work with. I have learned so much about both Zambia and the people and students here in Livingstone.