ZAMBIA MEDICAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA

Situated in Livingstone, a stones throw from the world famous Victoria Falls, volunteers gain a unique insight into the field of medicine in Zambia by assisting the medical staff in three Livingstone Clinics. Volunteers may help on the maternity ward, in the under fives department, with AIDS support groups or community outreach. Volunteers will also spend time on worthwhile local community projects. This is a great project where volunteers not only play an integral and hands-on part in helping with the health care needs of this Zambian community but will also leave with a real insight into medicine in a third world country. A ideal project for anyone thinking about a entering a medical profession!

	Location:	LIVINGSTONE, ZAMBIA	Dates:	Any date throughout the year.
	Fees:	£895 - 2 weeks £1,195 - 3 weeks £1,345 - 4 weeks	Payment:	£180 deposit at time of booking – balance of project fee due 8 weeks before departure
	Reference:	AV017

General Information

"The Smoke That Thunders" is the local description of the spray created by the world famous Victoria Falls, the magnificent number one tourist attraction in Zambia. Volunteers will have opportunities to visit the Falls and perhaps take part in some of the fantastic adventure activities on offer at this exciting venue - or they may just wish to immerse themselves in the local culture and enjoy the wonderful scenery that this area offers.

Medical Project

Zambia is one of the world’s poorest countries and as a result health care and provision suffers as much as any other public sector service in the country. Whilst structures are in place for an effective health service, there is an enormous deficit in terms of staff and resources.  The presence of volunteers offering a helping hand in almost every area of the clinic 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 upon them. Volunteers help during the mornings with the basic medical tasks which enables the trained staff to focus their time on the more complicated tasks requiring their expertise.

The Medical Clinics where volunteers will be helping are all primary healthcare facilities and the first point of call for un-well residents in Livingstone. Here the decisions are made as to wether patients need information/reassurance, treatment, observation or emergency referral to a hospital. Volunteers themselves will never be required to make decisions regarding patient treament however they are invaluable in reducing the workload on the staff and will have an unique opportunity to learn from the clinicians.  Areas in which volunteers may be involved include:

• Outpatients Department
• Maternity and the "Under Fives"
• Observation Wards
• Laboratory
• HIV/AIDS Support Groups
• Outreach into the Community

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.

Community Development Projects

Volunteers will also help with valuable community development programmes during the afternoons 
Please note:  If volunteers prefer to spend their afternoons helping at the medical clinics instead this can be arranged.

Build and Paint Schools

Volunteers help professionals build and paint new classrooms as well as rebuishing old ones.   Livingstone schools have a great shortage of classrooms which means that the children are not able to attend school for a full day and have to hot desk.  Volunteers help to make it possible for the children to spend more time at school. 

Elephant Pepper Project  

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 the crops and can cause farmers to lose their whole years income in one night.  As a result the elephants are often shot. This great project helps to save the lives of the elephants and the livelihood of the farmers by utilising chilli peppers to keep the elephants away from the farmers land.  Elephants hate the taste and smell of chilli peppers.   The project gives farmers free seedlings and explains how to use the peppers. The project then buys back any surplus of the chilli peppers giving the farmers an extra income. Volunteers help build green houses for the seedlings, setting up demonstration sites around town and building shops.

Home Based Care Project

The Maramba Home Based Care Project is run by a group of 30 local women who are all volunteers themselves. The women visit patients in the local community who suffer from HIV, TB or malaria and often cannot afford to go to 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 work they do (eg medical supplies, food for the patients). As a volunteer you may have the opportunity to join these women on their visits to patients in the community and help with their farming efforts.

Highlights

• An opportunity to assist clinicians in the local medical clinics in particular helping in the outpatients department with young children, mums-to-be and those suffering from HIV and AIDS.
• Experience the adventure capital of Africa - perhaps joining a white water rafting trip, doing a bungee jump over the falls or going on a sunset river boat cruise on the Zambezi
• Immerse yourself in local Zambian culture
• Spend the evenings socialising with new friends - or perhaps venture into the town of Livingstone to one of the bars offering live music
• Get involved in a variety of exciting community projects including the Elephant Pepper Project and the Home Based Care Project
• Take the opportunity to go on and elephant back safari

"My friend and I were the only 'mature' (post retirement) volunteers in the house, but we really enjoyed working alongside enthusiastic youngsters from all over the world (from Alaska (USA), Tasmania, Canada, Germany, Holland and UK). We both felt rejuvenated by the experience! The Zambians helping us were all extremely friendly and we learnt to live by African time, never rushing, always having time for a laugh and a joke! The children we met on our projects were delightful, even if some of the babies were frightened of our alien white faces. I feel I've had a glimpse of the real Africa - full of colour, music and happiness, in spite of some extreme poverty"
Jane Schollick, UK, 2008

Support

Support and advice is available from your project managers whilst on the project and from the UK Amanzi Travel Team.
Find out more about Amanzi Travel support

Orientation

A comprehensive information pack will be sent to volunteers upon booking their placement and further advice and information can be provided via telephone and email before departure. A full orientation will be provided on arrival.

Accommodation and Meals

Volunteers will be accommodated in a large volunteer house in the town of Livingstone. The houses are comfortable and have basic amenities.  Volunteers will be accommodated in shared single sex rooms for up to three people. Three meals a day will be provided.   Please note that on some weekends volunteers may need to prepare their own meals (all food provided) or go out with fellow volunteers for a meal in town.

Getting There

Fly into Livingstone or Victoria Falls Airport where you will be met by a member of the project team and taken to the volunteer house.  Alternatively you can fly into Lusaka, Zambia's capital city and then transfer to Livingstone, either by bus (5 hours) or local connecting flight.

(There may be a number of ways to reach your destination airport - for further information or advice please contact Amanzi Travel)
Let Amanzi Travel arrange your flights for you

Project Fees

What is included

• Financing that goes directly back into the projects you are involved with
• Airport transfers from Livingstone or Victoria Falls Airport
• "On-the-job" educational activities and daily support from your Project Managers
• Accommodation and three meals a day
• Weekly laundry service
• Full orientation on arrival
• Daily transfers to and from projects

What is excluded

• Travel insurance to include cover for repatriation
• Personal items eg clothes, travel goods
• Return flights to nearest airport
• Transport by air or bus to Livingstone from Lusaka if applicable
• Use of internet (email) and telephone
• Wines, spirits and soft drinks
• Visas and any trips undertaken other than in the planned programme