Teaching Volunteer Program in Zambia - Livingstone

Livingstone felt very safe. Teaching kids was an extraordinary experience. The school environment was far beyond expectations. Go for it and embrace it.

With this being my third time traveling with IVHQ I think overall the communication was great going into the Zambia program! The staff in Zambia was also amazing!

I will never forget my time in Zambia and the impact the children had on me, and hopefully I had on them. For me it was really the people who were volunteering at the same time that made my experience.

I loved being in Zambia. Being on the program I always felt there was a wrap-around safety net wherever I was in the town. People were all very friendly and welcoming. The children at the school I helped at always greeted me each morning with a hug (even the older children) and always wanted to talk, sing, play games etc. They loved the attention and hopefully I extended their English language, knowledge etc. The Victoria Falls are a must to see for any traveler and Chobe National Park is park a wonderful place to see thousands of elephants. I also visited the local museum several times and learnt much about David Livingstone. The volunteers all got along well and chummed up for excursions, trips to an hotel swimming pool, meals out etc.

Not only did I get to experience a new culture, I made new connections and relationships with others from all over the world and got to experience teaching in a totally different setting to what I’m used to. It was an incredible experience that I will never forget.

The local team was outstanding! The local coordinators are so pleasant and personable, always wearing a big smile on their faces. They were very helpful during my stay, organizing excursions, scheduling safe and reliable taxi drivers, and providing airport transfers. The orientation presentation was very informative and entertaining.

Volunteering at my placement was a wonderful, humbling, touching, and rewarding experience. The children were so happy, despite having so very little. Their enthusiasm towards school and learning was beautiful. Hearing them sing songs, dance, passionately raise their hands and participate in lessons, and work so diligently to improve their reading, writing, and Math skills was a treat. It was a very different learning environment than I am used to in the high school where I teach at home. My heart was touched every time the children came running up to hug me, give me a high five, or hold my hand. The farewell song that they sang on my last day brought me to tears. Such beautifully happy and energetic children, with good hearts and positive spirits. The third grade teacher I worked with was outstanding! He clearly has a special bond with his students and utilized very effective teaching methods. I believe that the experience was beneficial for all involved. In terms of accommodation, I was prepared for the sparse, basic living conditions. It brought me back to my college days in a dormitory. It was perfectly sufficient for the time that I stayed. The grounds were very well kept and the staff was extremely friendly and hard working.

I was also pleasantly surprised with the meals. There was an abundance of salads, greens, and vegetables at each meal, along with rotating starches. Everything was delicious. As a vegetarian, I was prepared to be flexible during my stay. However, there were always plenty of tasty salads and vegetables at each meal. As a high school history teacher who loves to travel (especially throughout Africa and Europe), I was excited for a new challenge - one which I hoped would result in personal and professional growth, while also helping students who are less fortunate. I embraced the opportunity to immerse myself in a culture and a classroom which are so drastically different from my own. I also met some amazing volunteers in my accommodation who will now become lifelong friends. Zambia is in a perfect location for exploring the many natural gems of Africa. With fellow volunteers, I was able to explore Victoria Falls and go on an overnight camping safari in Botswana's Chobe National Park. I would 100% recommend IVHQ for anyone who is considering a volunteer project. It will be an unforgettable experience. The impossibly beautiful places and people of Zambia captured my heart. I most definitely will return. Thank you IVHQ and the local team for the experience of a lifetime.