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 The
Location
Mosi-oa-tunya: The Smoke that Thunders. This is how the locals refer to the magnificent spray from Victoria Falls. Against this backdrop lies the southern Zambian town of Livingstone, located just across the Zambezi River from the falls and four miles from the town of Victoria Falls. Livingstone has been described as Zambia’s tourist mecca and the “adventure capital of Africa,” a place with a colonial character and easygoing African charm.
The Situation
Yet amid this flourishing tourist community, there is
a devastating reality: an HIV infection rate among Zambia’s
adult population exceeding 20 percent. Not only has this
put enormous pressure on underfunded government clinics,
it has also orphaned a large population of children. To
help remedy the situation, our partner organization coordinates
volunteers to assist overworked medical staff in local
clinics, and give children valuable companionship at orphanages.
 What You Can Do
At the clinic, volunteers help with such tasks as weighing babies, taking blood pressure and spending time in the infant ward. At the orphanage, and through other local community involvement, volunteers provide a huge source of fun and inspiration for the children and disadvantaged villagers. You might put on a dramatic production at the orphanage, help build a classroom, work on a local farm, or tend to ailing villagers.
Ultimately, whether you’re connecting with patients at the clinic or kicking a soccer ball with one of the orphans, you’re sure to come away with a deeper awareness of the medical and social realities of Africa, as well as a sense that you have made a real impact in people’s lives.
Airport and Orientation:
After arriving at the Livingstone or Victoria Falls airport, you will be picked up by your project coordinator, or another staff member, and taken to one of two volunteer houses in Livingstone. Your multi-day orientation includes meeting the staff, receiving a basic language introduction, learning about the local culture and customs, and acquiring in-depth information about the different project sites and volunteer opportunities along with other important details.
 Transportation:
Volunteer Adventures will arrange transportation for the
following:
 Airport
pickup and drop-off at the Livingstone or Victoria Falls
airport
Transportation
to the volunteer house in Livingstone
Local
transportation between the lodge and project locations
daily
Accommodations:
Depending on the number of volunteers taking part in the program at the time, you will stay at one of two volunteer houses. Both houses are simple and comfortable, with satellite TV, kitchen and living room, and a staff of laundry/cleaning ladies and a cook. All bedding is provided, so you will not need to bring a sleeping bag, although sometimes it is useful in colder months (June to September).
In-country
support:
We work directly with our partner organization
to provide support during your time in Zambia. You can
expect help from project coordinators, staff at the schools
and orphanage, fellow volunteers, and the staff of both
Volunteer Adventures and our partner organization. We
also provide a 24-hour cell phone number for emergencies.
Additional Activities and Excursions:
If you have free time during or after your volunteer stay, you will have the opportunity to take part in excursions at your own cost. The following are some examples of activities you can enjoy in neighboring Victoria Falls:
Bungee-jumping over Victoria Falls (world’s second-highest jump)
Whitewater
rafting and canoe trips down the Zambezi River
Elephant-back
and horseback riding
River
boarding
 Along
with these activities, volunteers with additional time
built into their travel schedules will have the opportunity
to add a five-day excursion to their Volunteer Adventure,
which features:
Rhino
walks and game drives
Two
days at Antelope Park lion reserve with elephant-
back and horseback rides
Safari
in Hwange National Park
Whitewater
rafting or bungee-jumping in Victoria Falls
Note: These are all additional activities and are not included in the program cost. The excursions can be arranged with your project coordinator upon arrival in Victoria Falls. The cost of the five-day excursion is approximately US $300.
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 Phil
Program Coordinator
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Volunteer
Adventures - 915 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO, 80246
Phone: 1-888-825-3454 or 303-777-7783 Fax: 303-777-7246 UK Toll
Free: 0800-028-8051 |
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