Volunteer with children in Zambia

COUNTRY:
Zambia
DEPARTURES:
Departures every Saturday between May and September for a minimum of 2 weeks
PRICE:
From £749 (14 days) excluding flights
MORE INFO:
US $350 local payment. Price includes all food and accommodation during the project placement, transport throughout the project and development project funding. Each additional week costs £195 + US$175 up to 8 weeks
LATE AVAIL:
Late availability for volunteering on the Book Bus Vic Falls throughout the summer 2013.
VOUCHERS:
Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday
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Volunteer with children in Zambia

Volunteer with children in Zambia

Volunteer travel - what's it all about?
Are you looking for an adventurous trip with a purpose, or on a gap year or career break? If you want to make a difference in some of the world’s most important conservation areas - and in community projects - then volunteer trips are for you! Volunteers tend to have a sense of adventure, and come from a range of different backgrounds and from all over the world.
Edward Abbey said 'sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul'.

How Volunteer with children in Zambia makes a difference

There are many reasons why we chose Zambia for the first Book Bus journey. Initially, at least, we are dependent on donated books written in English. Zambia has a rich linguistic heritage of over 70 indigenous languages, however English is understood by most of the population. Most of those aged 15 or over can read and write in English. We also wanted to go somewhere where there was a clear need and the potential to make a difference. Zambia is one of the world’s poorest, least developed countries.

All our development projects have been carefully chosen to satisfy several criteria. They are of definable and sustainable benefit to the local community and allow us the opportunity to work in tandem with the people of Zambia. Our work with schools, orphanages and hospitals is organised with community assent and involvement to provide direct aid and educational assistance to the disadvantaged children. The Book Bus development projects are over-seen by a resident Project Manager whose role is to co-ordinate the key stake holders, the funding and the project's objectives.

Funding for the projects comes directly from the our trust. We are committed to direct patronage within the local economies of the countries in which we operate. Accommodation throughout the adventure is in locally owned hostels or based in the project locations; and our day to day living budget will be spent by the team at local "grass roots" level. Supporting the Book Bus project is a unique opportunity to experience a foreign culture and to truly make a difference to people’s lives.

Volunteer with children in Zambia

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Volunteer with children in Zambia

Reviewed 26 Oct 2010 by Victoria Binz3 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


Working with the children and seeing how eager they were to learn. The landscapes and wildlife were stunning.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


This trip was very full-on and should not be recommended to the faint hearted. There was no real chance to chill out as it involves work, travel, setting up camp and self-catering all at the same time. It can be quite hard on the nerves. Do not expect a holiday in the traditional sense.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


This was an experimental trip in that part of Zambia/Malawi in the goal to set up regular visits to schools in that area. In this particular trip, we only visited each school once. If this trip confirmed the possibility of a permanent implementation of the project in that area with regular visits in the same school, building partnerships and real follow up work, then yes, the project will have benefited the local people. If the project is abandoned at this stage, what we did was nice for everyone involved, but not useful in the long term.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?


This was more a project than a holiday. The experience was rewarding, but more like "I survived", than "I really feel I did something useful". I really hope the project is maintained, because it would bring a lot to the local schools, teachers and children alike. Having said that, we did have some great and memorable moments.
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