The Location
Mosi-oa-tunya: The Smoke that Thunders. This is how the locals refer to the magnificent spray from Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall in the world. Against this backdrop lies the southern Zambian town of Livingstone, located just four miles from 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 as tourism grows, the children of Livingstone are falling behind because of HIV/AIDS. With more than 20 percent of Zambia’s adult population infected with HIV, many children have been orphaned or left with one surviving parent who struggles to make ends meet. To compound the problem, the schools do not have adequate funds. Limited resources have forced many schools to adopt a system called “hot seating,” where students attend schools in up to three shifts per day. Consequently, children receive only three hours of class time and little supervision, meaning they spend more time on the streets.

What You Can Do
The goal of this program is to create community, provide companionship, and offer fun alternatives to the children. As a volunteer with this program, you can be an immense help and inspiration. Whether you’re coaching sports, giving one-on-one attention in the classroom, or helping stage a play at the local orphanage, volunteers develop close relationships with the local children, help keep them off the streets, and ultimately make a positive impact on their 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 information.

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 volunteer house 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 the project to provide support during your time in Zambia. You can expect help from project coordinators, staff at the schools and orphanage, and fellow volunteers. 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.