The first week aims to acclimatise you to local life. You will be given a language course in Nyanga and shown around the town and surrounding areas. You and your group will see all the projects as well as going on a tour of Victoria Falls.
Once you have settled into your home you will begin your projects. We have identified a variety of projects to suit your passion and skills.
We have set up links with a number of community schools which are run independently by the local community. These schools are often very poor, relying on foreign aid to provide food and books and using local volunteers to teach. They are very keen to have enthusiastic volunteers to assist with English as well as developing sports and art. One school, Nakatindi, has a garden and has built this into the curriculum; they would be keen to have some help in this area as they sell the produce to fund the school. They are also building new classrooms from scratch so anyone keen to help make bricks and build the school would be most welcome
Kwathu Children’s Home lies within the town and is a small and personal home for 9 children. It is managed by Aggrippa, a Zambian man who firmly believes in setting up a loving and sable home to orphaned and abandoned children. Your role would be to get involved with the daily routine and help keep these children entertained, but also to act as a trusted adult helping them develop life skills and listening to their problems..
We have joined forces with local government to work with a variety of community projects including adult education. For example, you can work with Zambians to improve their literacy, craft making skills and small business management. Alternatively LIWOMADI (LIvingstone WOmen MAke a DIfference) is a local NGO that wants to work with Oyster volunteers on anti poverty, corruption, AIDS and HIV workshops as well as assisting in Health clinics.
