Sports Coaching Volunteering with African Impact

African Impact Livingstone is doing an incredible job in promoting sustainable and community development and empowerment. Their initiatives not only enhance local livelihoods but also offer cultural exchange and awareness. The dedication, hard work and research of the staff in supporting education, health, sports, conservation, medical, parenting and much more is truly inspiring. Volunteers have the opportunity of assisting, helping and getting stuck in /involved with a variety of projects. I volunteered to help children appreciate the benefits and attributes of sport, games and fitness. Team work, having fun and respecting the rules of sport. I’ve had the most precious experiences with over 100 school children of various Year Grades and ages. Resources and equipment is limited within every project so when volunteering don’t expect to use or have resources and materials, medical supplies & equipment as you may have in your home country. Respect the hard work provided and incredible enjoyment and benefits children and the community receive. The food at the centre is varied nutritious with limited spending budget, and accommodation basic but clean provides everything you need. Hot water showers and electricity supply is also limited but again if you have western world ideals perhaps this isn’t for you. Personally I’ve had the most incredible four weeks of my life and already organising my return trip in 2025. The surroundings in Livingstone provide what you need. Activities like Chobe safari, village tour, fabric market or thrilling activities are also offered via Victoria falls Backpackers reception. African Impact staff, Sports coach, management, cooks, groundsmen and housekeepers, security and community staff/drivers are all special human beings that care & ensure your stay is comfortable and suitable. The backpackers bar is both quiet and lively when required. The pool a refreshing necessity in the Zambian heat. Keep up the fantastic work;your positive impact is making a real difference in the communities you serve and inspiration to myself and other volunteers. I will miss you all and thank you for being YOU, beautiful inside and out. Much love Vimala ❤️

A wonderful honest grass roots charity - a group of very sincere people doing their best to help others from severely tough backgrounds. The work they do and the programs they run are highly relevant and the community welcomes them with open arms. If you are thinking of doing something meaningful with your time then African Impact is a terrific option.

I didn’t really have any expectations of what I’d be experiencing before coming and I now don’t expect I’d experience better than my time in livingstone. Amazing staff all positive informative and caring. Project was making do a lot of the time but still effective, fun and safe. Great activities both fun and cultural. Overall was an amazing experience and will be imploring friends to do the same.

I spent 5 weeks at African Impact doing sports and education coaching. I have loved everything about the scheme, from the children, the program and especially the staff. The African Impact charity is incredible and you can really see what a difference they are making to children’s lives. I felt so safe and welcomed the second I arrived at the accommodation and Mulenga has made this experience truly special by making us feel part of the family. The program is excellent and you get to teach a variety of schools with different ages and abilities which I have loved.

Overall, I had an amazing time here in Cape Town doing the sports coaching program. Working with the kids was an incredible and eye opening experience, and being able to work with them in the townships, in their environments definitely changed my perspective and opened my eyes to a lot I wasn’t aware of. The staff was fantastic, from working with us on the projects they were very helpful and supportive, but at the guesthouse as well they were always great company to have around. I appreciated them allowing the volunteers to take more of a leadership role in terms of doing the weekly plannings for the projects and leading them on location. The only thing that I believe can be improved could be the Thursday volunteer activities where we get taken out after project for some sort of event or activity. At the beginning of my stay it felt more professional and properly planned, but as the weeks went on, it felt like it turned more into us just going out for the night, and less put together. It was still enjoyable but I would’ve appreciated some better planning and professionalism from that aspect specifically. But overall, this was an incredible experience and one that I would recommend to anyone that has any interest in this kind of thing.

As someone from the 40+ age there is always a trepidation you’ll be surrounded by young people and have nothing In common. Trips teach you that age is but a number, we are all here for the same reasons. From day one the management team were welcoming and supportive. The projects explained with fun and learning key for all. Weekends were spent taking part in zip lines, hikes, team meals, laying by the pool reading. All in all a great humbling experience. Massive that’s to Sander,Shae, Malenga, Barbs, Mutinta for all their assistance laughter and general hard work.

I joined the sport program for three weeks and i really enjoyed it, i also got to experience the other programs in the afternoon which was really interesting because i got to experience a bit of everything that African Impact does around here. Overall a great experience I would recommend anyone.

Everything about this organization and place is amazing. Can’t recommend enough. It was very easy to be integrated into the program. I got very close with some of the schools and kids and will miss them very much.

I had an amazing time. The activities were diverse and the influence we have on the community is all long term!! The staf were really connecting with all the volenteers and i had lots of fun with them. Love you all!! The food was delicious, especially the Nshima is something i will never forget. There are lots of activities to do in Livingstone. The Angelspool for me was one of the most special activity i have ever done in my life! I am planning to come back i the next couple of years! Thanks for the amazing time that you have given me and i feel blessed that i could work with the kids and the staf for a full month. I love you, Sisiii

I’ve had an Unbelievable time in Livingstone both on project and outside of project. The African impact team lead very well organised and productive projects which have a real impact on the community whether it is girls/ boys health classes or sports sessions. Volunteers are fully immersed within these projects, planning and delivering lessons and sessions every day. The school kids are most welcoming and enthusiastic and it goes without saying that being on project is the most rewarding aspect of being involved with African Impact. Shout out to Barbs, Caso, Cindy, Mulenga, Sander and Shae. Outside of project, Livingstone is a safe place to roam around during the day and the locals are very friendly! In terms of activities, Livingstone has an array of activities to choose from, whether it be safaris, museums, bungee jumping and of course the visiting the natural wonder of the world- the Victoria falls. All reasonably priced and cater for everyone’s preferences. The backpackers where volunteers stay are secure and well looked after by the team of staff and meals are varied in terms of cuisine but cooked to a good standard. Josephine and her team cooks a mean nshima which everyone should try out. The security staff are great and often help you out with taxis and any questions you have. Benny and Justin who drive you to projects and the airports are great guys and often double up as tour guides and willing participants on the sports sessions and ecobricking. The location of the backpackers are well positioned to the local shops and cafes which are great value for money. With the more touristy restaurants being a short taxi drive away. The volunteers often come from all over the world and it’s a real melting pot of ages, cultures, languages and experiences which adds to the overall experience. Personally, the group I had the pleasure to spend my time with were top class and I’ll miss them dearly! All in all, whoever goes to livingstone with African impact will have a great time and it’ll be something that will be remembered fondly for a long time.

I volunteered for 2 weeks in zambia and I can honestly say it was the most amazing experience. I wish I had stayed longer as I felt 2 weeks wasn't enough. I will definitely be returning in the near future. African impact is a great organisation and made my whole experience worth while. The projects are all so beneficial not only for the community but also for volunteers as they are made feel apart of something special. It's also a great way to meet new people from different parts of the world and to make memories and good friendships.

i have stayed in Cape town with African impact for 2 weeks and i can honestly say i have loved absolutely every minute of it. From working with the kids in the primary schools helping with sports and seeing their smiling faces every day to the fun staff and volunteers, to the great organisation of the tours at the weekends. My whole time here has been a highlight. There was never a dull moment at the Lionhouse. The homemade food was delicious and the house is spacious and a really nice environment. The actual sports project itself was memorable. Everyday we were connecting with the children at the primary school through sports and teaching them what a healthy, active lifestyle is which to me is truly amazing. I would highly recommend volunteering in South Africa with African Impact any day. I wish i spent longer than two weeks though due to the fact of how much i loved it.

I loved this program, this is my second time coming here and I feel that I has made just as much of an impact as I did the first time I came here. There are many programs and all the children that you are working with are so cool and fun to hang out with. You should definitely volunteer with African Impact!

Coming to the project you have to have an open mind and be ready to do anything required. The kids never failed to make their energy contagious and spread, which straight away got me involved and wanting to help them in any way possible. I wish that I came with a better idea of what I was completely doing so that I would be able to jump straight in and make a larger impact with the small amount of time that I had.

Very good experience overall, especially the stay in the house. Furthermore I really enjoyed working with the kids during the mornings and in the afternoons, seeing the joy and happiness most of the times made my day.

Whilst the experience was not exactly what I had in mind on arrival I had a blast. I was expecting more 'structured' coaching but in reality it's more getting all children involved and enjoying physical activity. There is a need to be ready and willing to adapt to situations that aren't really planned for. Most if not all children I dealt with were ready to play any game we could devise. An extremely rewarding experience and one I would certainly recommend.

I had an amazing time on my trip to Livingstone! The program I was involved in allowed me to be flexible and do the projects that I enjoyed the most. It was really cool meeting all of the amazing people! I encourage anyone to come volunteer here in Livingstone, you will have an amazing time!

My time in South Africa just flew by. It was a great experience to work with local people and learn about their culture. The lion house is full of good people from all over the world and I will always keep it in a good memory.

Arriving in a new country without knowing anyone personally can be quite worrisome. When I got to the Lion House there were a flood of people. These people were warm and welcoming, and many were just as curious as I was as to what was going to happen. At project you see so many more faces. You see the kids, you see the teachers and the grandmothers. At first all these faces are just the faces of strangers. The more you see these faces, despite who they are, the more important it becomes to see them smiling. After just four short weeks I may not know all the names of the kids, but I know their faces. I got to know the staff and the fellow volunteers. We shared our stories and all learned together. All the faces I was overwhelmed with on my first days became more than just faces. They become family.

It is compulsory that this section is at least three sentences. Therefore, I am writing filler to complete the character count. Sorry Jen, words really ain't my thing as I said; tbf the review on the feedback form help sheet sums it all up pretty nicely so let's just roll with that ;)