Construction Project in Zambia

Building a mud hut for AIDS orphans is a very impactful and meaningful time in rural Zambia, where families live typically on <$2 per day. No previous experience needed - just optimism and some manual work in the sun to create a home for a village family. Wonderfully friendly people - we’re in our fifties now and loved the time with the project leads Paula and Matt who both live locally now. Jump in! Give it a go.

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A great experience in Mwandi, a hands-on project with brilliant staff. I thoroughly enjoyed myself! Mwandi is really out in the bush, although quite a big village it is certainly remote so you get to see the real Africa. The people were so welcoming and the children were so cute. The project is hands on and you really get to contribute to the building of the mud huts, there is a great feeling of accomplishment and contribution at the end of your stay. Matt and Paula were lovely, from the moment we were collected from Livingstone we felt part of the project. The local are great and so helpful not just with the project but with all our questions about local culture and tradition, they went out of their way to make us comfortable and to ensure we enjoyed ourselves. TIPS: If you can, stay in Victoria Falls or Livingstone before or after your stay in Mwandi, the falls are really worth it and there is lots of other activities to do on the Zambezi, including the sunset cruises which I would definitely recommend. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to Chobe National Park which I would have loved to see.

Building mud huts for families affected by AIDS was a new experience for me and I really enjoyed it. Working in the village of Mwandi with the local building team was great fun especially as the woman whose house we were building came and worked with us and her friends dropped by to lend a hand. It was great to feel part of the village and get to understand a bit about what life there is really like. I loved being able to leave something tangible behind when I left and few things are more important than a proper roof over their head for a family who are living in very poor, squashed accommodation. For those who like to explore, Livingstone is not too far away so you can visit one of the great natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls, as part of your time in Mwandi. I loved this experience!

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It was only two weeks that we spent in the village of Mwandi, Zambia but it is two weeks that will always stay with me. The program in Zambia is very well run by hardworking and friendly people, and I hope to have an opportunity to return in future as it is impossible not to be inspired by such a worthwhile experience.