VOLUNTEER PROJECTS Community Work HIV/AIDS Medical Work Sports Coaching Teaching & Education Wildlife Conservation Wildlife Research Expeditions Compare all projects Corporate Volunteering University Volunteering Family Volunteering Tailor-made for groups GENERAL Contact Us Book Now Read our blog Subscribe to our Newsletter Send to a Friend Sitemap   WHAT DID YOU ENJOY MOST? “Making friends with the people at adult literacy and in the clinic and other volunteers, getting to live in a new place and start to feel like it’s home, getting to interact with the kids.” Kristin Veenema (27), United States “Everything !, Home based care, clinics, family support, weekend activities the nights with volunteers living with all the workers ..fantastic !!” Emily Hartwig (19), Australia “FAMILY SUPPORT!!!! This was my favourite project. Home based care was also fantastic for being invited into someone’s home to care and assist them is a special feeling. I feel the volunteers play such a vital role here and I felt my impact on the lives of the patients I saw was immense. ” Chris Hastings (19), Australian

Clinic & Medical Assistance, Zambia ‘Mosi-oa-tunya’ - The Smoke That Thunders… this is how the locals refer to the magnificent spray that is elevated above the Victoria Falls. Against this backdrop we find the town of Livingstone, Zambia’s tourist mecca and the “adventure capital of Africa”. In this impressing setting, we offer you the opportunity to gain a unique insight into the Zambian medical field, and to make a positive impact on the local community through our specially structured Medical Programme. Medical Volunteering & Helping Children - Rural Clinics - Livingstone - Volunteer Project in Zambia, Victoria Falls Location Livingstone, Zambia – a stone’s throw away from the Victoria Falls (6km) Project Length 2 weeks - 8 weeks Age Limit Minimum 18 years - Maximum 40 years Project Fee £1295 / $2590 / €1685 (4 weeks) Volunteer Project Information The following links will jump you to different sections on this page, which provide all the information you will need for this Africa volunteer project: Medical Volunteering & Helping Children - Rural Clinics - Livingstone, Zambia. » photo gallery | » more about this project | » volunteer & travel highlights » project fee includes & excludes | » day in the life of a volunteer... » volunteer support & orientation | » accommodation & meals | » getting there Photos Zambia Photos of Medical Volunteering & Helping Children - Rural Clinics - Livingstone in Africa.   More about the Clinic & Medical Assistance in Zambia Further Information on the Medical and Community Programme: Zambia is one of the world’s poorest countries and as a result health care and provision suffers as much as any other public service sector in the country. Whilst structures are in place for an effective heath service, there is an enormous deficit in terms of staff and resources. Which is why our help is very much appreciated by the nurses and doctors we work with. As a volunteer, you will spend every morning in the clinic or hospital you are assigned to. This gives you the chance to both make a positive impact on the health service in Livingstone, and to gain unique medical experience. We work in three different clinics, which are primary healthcare facilities and the first point of call for un-well residents in the area. Here decisions are made as to whether patients need just reassurance, treatment, observation, or emergency referral to a hospital. The clinics are often very busy. Therefore, the presence of helping hands in almost every area of the clinics is more than gratefully received by the staff, who are working at an immense pace in an attempt to keep up with the demands placed on them. Volunteers themselves will never be required to make decisions regarding patient treatments, but will be invaluable in reducing workloads for the staff and will have the opportunity to learn from the clinicians too. Volunteers’ assistance is invaluable in the following areas: • Out patient department • ‘Under Five’s Department’ • Maternity Ward • Observation Wards • Laboratory • HIV/AIDS Support Groups • Community Outreach Some volunteers, particularly those studying or considering a career in the medical profession, may also wish to join clinicians in consultations, where there is an enormous amount to be learnt about tropical and infectious diseases. Livingstone General Hospital If you have medical qualifications, or are studying to get them, you have the opportunity to work in Livingstone General Hospital. Depending on your field of interest and expertise, you will be assigned to a specific ward, where you will be able to offer a great contribution to the treatment of patients, and to gain very specific medical experience. AFTERNOON COMMUNITY PROJECTS After having spent the morning in a clinic or a hospital, you will help out the local community in different areas in the afternoon. You will rotate between the following community projects: (Please note that if you prefer to spend every, or several, afternoons a week helping out in the clinics or hospital instead of working on the community projects, this can be arranged.) Build and Paint Schools/Extra mural involvement and reading programmes Schools in Livingstone deal with a great shortage of classrooms, and as a result most children do not receive the full day of class they need. With the help and guidance of professional builders, we are building new classrooms for as many schools as possible. As a volunteer, you will help with mixing cement, laying bricks, laying floors, plastering walls, and painting. It is hard, but highly rewarding work! In addition, we refurbish and paint existing classrooms. Elephant Pepper Project Please note that this project is seasonal. The Elephant Pepper Development Trust is an organisation that aims to reduce the conflict between farmers and elephants. Particularly in the dry season, elephants raid people’s crops, which often cause farmers to loose their whole years income in one night. The elephants are often shot as a result. To save the lives of both people and elephants, the Elephant Pepper Trust has developed ways to use chilli peppers to keep elephants away from people’s land, as the animals don’t like the taste and smell of chilli. The project gives farmers free seedlings and explains to them how to use the peppers. Elephant Pepper then buys the surplus of the chilli peppers back from the farmers, which gives the farmers a good extra income. As a volunteer, you will be involved in the project by helping build green houses for the seedlings, setting up demonstration sites around town, and building shops where women can come and sell their peppers. Home Based Care Project/Farming The Maramba Home Based Care Project is run by a group of 30 local women who are all volunteers. The women spend each morning visiting patients in different 'zones' in the local community. The patients generally have HIV, TB and Malaria and often cannot afford to go the clinic or hospital. As well as bringing food and medical supplies, the patients are given advice on nutrition and the correct way to take their medication. The women also have their own land that they use to farm for the purpose of raising money for the project, which they then spend on food and medical supplies for the patients that they support and visit. As a volunteer, you have the opportunity to join the women on their visits to patients in the community, and contribute to the help they offer. In addition, you will help the women out with the farming. Volunteers are involved in this programme from Mondays-Thursdays. We also work with the Linda Home Based Care programme on Mondays and Thursdays. » back to top Clinic & Medical Assistance, Victoria Falls - Highlights This volunteer project in Africa includes: Medical Volunteering & Helping Children - Rural Clinics - Livingstone • Gain medical experience in local clinics or hospitals under our staff supervision • Assist with local disadvangtaged kids • Immerse yourself in local Zambian culture • Make friends for life “I firmly believe that this program is very much needed here in Zambia and other parts of this continent. It is a very ambitious program and its impact is definitely being felt across the region. Every adult helped, who has learned to read, every child receiving some sort of medical care, every family who has received some sort of assistance, is an investment in the GNWB – Gross National Well Being of Africa.” Kennard Gopaul, USA – September 2008. “The trip has made me want to come back out to Africa ASAP and help more!! Life is way too short as it is without lack of food & water, so it has given me huge motivation to spread awareness to others in England on the problems & encourage other people to help.” Rosie Ratcliffe, UK – September 2008. Zambia Travel Highlights Experience the ‘adventure capital of Africa’ The world’s most exciting white water rafting on the Zambezi River Bungee jumping and gorge swings over the Batoka Gorge which the water cascades into below the Falls Sunset Cruises on the Zambezi River above the Falls – this tranquil activity transports you back in time to the Africa of old and the excitement of cruising amongst crocodiles and hippos Elephant back safaris (half day or full day excursions) Canoeing Safaris on the Zambezi River above the Falls with experienced guides » back to top Project Fee Includes • Project Fee: this entails financing that goes directly back into the project that you are involved with. This project fee facilitates funding for items such as building materials, equipment, supplies, foodstuffs, etc. Project fees are also used to buy vehicles/equipment and for developing new housing for volunteers to provide for the expansion of the project. • All airport transfers from Livingstone International Airport upon your arrival and departure • Orientation program • All daily transfers to and from your projects during your stay • Full board and lodging which includes 3 meals a day at our volunteer house • Weekly laundry service during your stay • Assistance in your projects by various African Impact staff and volunteer coordinators. Full support from African Impact and your coordinator throughout your time on your Livingstone placement • Any visits to other AI programmes based in Livingstone Project Fee Excludes • Personal travel insurance for the duration of your placement which must include cover for repatriation • All transport by air or bus to Livingstone • All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing (work and other) • Email/Internet and telephone calls • Soft drinks, wines an spirits • All visas for border crossings • Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary in Zambia e.g. visit to the Victoria Falls, white water rafting, etc » back to top Day in the life... This is a typical day in the life of a volunteer working on the Clinic & Medical Assistance project: Here is how a typical day in the life of a Livingstone medical volunteer might take shape. Please note that your itineraries may differ from this, depending on your own experience and the number of other volunteers on the placement at the same time, and this is simply to give an example: • 6:45am Get up and start getting ready for your project • 07:30 Head off on the short drive to your project after the help-yourself breakfast of cereals, toast, tea and coffee • 08:00 Start work at your clinic or hospital. To make sure all volunteers get an equal amount of experience, you will be assigned to a specific ward every morning. • 12:00 Lunch break. You will be picked up from your project, and taken to your volunteer house, where lunch is waiting for you. • Afternoon Session Leave for one of the community projects. You will spend the afternoon playing with the children at local rural schools, assisting with the Elephant Pepper Project, or building and painting classrooms. • Approx 4:30pm - Home Time You will be collected by your coordinator/driver and taken back to the volunteer house, or into Livingstone town if you wish. Here you will be able to check your emails, watch TV, socialise or just explore the town and some of the local markets • Evenings are very sociable affairs. Generally, volunteers discuss their days amongst each other whilst taking supper together, prepare for your project the next day, or even venture out on a cruise on the nearby Zambezi River or to one of the local night spots. » back to top Volunteer Support Throughout your stay in Livingstone you will have the support and guidance of our experienced volunteer coordinators. They are part of our greater African Impact support team, which will provide you with competent 24-hour field support and assistance. Volunteer Orientation Upon arrival in Livingstone all volunteers are involved in comprehensive orientation programme, which is included in your fee. This is facilitated by your project volunteer coordinator and entails: • An introduction to the town of Livingstone and surrounding areas • An introduction to all our projects. Not only will you see where you will be working, you will also see where your fellow volunteers will be spending their days • A basic language course. You will learn some basic words and sentences in Nyaja, the local language that is most spoken in Livingstone, so that you can communicate very basically with people in their own language. In addition, you will learn some of the local cultural nuances. • You will visit Mukuni Village, a traditional African village just outside of Livingstone. • An experienced nurse will give you a detailed briefing on common diseases in the area, working methods in the clinics, and safety precautions for working in the clinics and hospital. This is to ensure that you will start your work at the clinic or hospital in a well-prepared and safe way. • At the orientation, volunteers will also receive our detailed ‘welcome pack’, which will contain further useful information for your time with us » back to top Accommodation We have a large homestead (which is actually 3 separate houses on the same plot of land) approximately 5 minute walk away from the town centre. This house includes a bar and a lounge area where you are welcome to relax and have a well-deserved drink at the end of the day. The bedrooms are shared with a maximum of 4 people in one room. The house is very comfortable, and staffed with a cook and laundry/cleaning ladies. The House has a large living and dining area where your volunteer meetings will be held, several bathrooms, a large garden, a safe for your valuables, and satellite TV. All bedding is provided, so you will not need to bring a sleeping bag with you. Though sometimes it is useful in the colder months (June – September).All meals, laundry and transportation to and from your projects will be provided and organised by your volunteer co-ordinator. The house is pet-free. You will need to bring your own mosquito nets. We find that volunteers living together and working closely together with their volunteer co-ordinators is the surest way of guaranteeing their safety and being able to attend to their most pressing needs. For this reason we expect all volunteers to stay only in the accommodation provided for them and do not allow volunteers to spend nights away in the town or nearby villages, unless they are away on pre-arranged sightseeing excursions. Meals You will be provided with three meals a day. Breakfast is on a help-yourself basis and usually consists of cereals/porridge, toast, tea and coffee. Lunch and dinner are full meals, and will be cooked for you by one of our chefs at your volunteer house. Note: Sometimes on weekends you will need to cook your own meals with ingredients that will be provided, as our staff will need to be given time off. Weekends are usually good times for tourist activities and exploring the surrounding area, so that is the time that a lot of volunteers are out and about anyway. » back to top Getting There Livingstone, Zambia – a stone’s throw away from the Victoria Falls (6km). Our placement coordinators will assist you with the procedures and we will meet you at the airport in Livingstone!! Your options are as follows: • Lusaka: fly into Zambia’s capital city and then transfer to Livingstone by bus (approx 5 hours) or by means of a flight with Zambia Airways (these flights take place approximately 3 times per week). The bus transfer will cost you approximately US$20. • Livingstone: Fly to Johannesburg in South Africa and then connect to Livingstone, or the above option of connecting from Lusaka. » back to top Make an Enquiry Volunteer Project in Zambia - Medical Volunteering & Helping Children - Rural Clinics - Livingstone     print this page | bookmark this page (CTRL-D) | send to a friend back to top