Volunteers are those who travel to Zambia to serve and to learn. It is a life-changing experience.

Neil, Sarah, Kate, Anna, me and Ciara, August 2022

Over the years, I have travelled to Zambia with volunteers from all walks of life, between the ages of 19 and 62. Everyone who has a skill or a talent to bring, can make a contribution. Much of our works is in the areas of education, literacy, computers and vocational training. No special skills or experience are required for living in Zambia, as all training will be given before leaving Ireland, but patience, good humour, hard work and a willingness to compromise are necessary.

Bringing talent, knowledge and skill

The basic role of a volunteer is to work to the best of your ability and skill on the projects and opportunities which arise. We, in Ireland, have amazing education and advantages which we take for granted, but which can make a profound impact in Zambia.

Diarmuid and Isla led a two-week intensive course in literacy for Zambian teachers

I am especially seeking teachers, librarians, educational psychologists, computer experts, accountants or financial advisors for our education projects. Our more recent developments into the area of vocational training means we are in need of electricians, plumbers and carpenters, but in reality we need anyone who can help. Remember that even being proficient at computers is a rare skill in Zambia so we will make use of the skills which you have, to work in Zambia. We work as a team, together with our Zambian friends who guide us with the work. We use the skills which we have to get the job done.

Raising Funds

In order to fund the work in Zambia, we have to raise money. We need money to fund the micro finance project, to pay for the transport of a container of books to Zambia, to pay for the construction of our new library and even to pay local staff to run these projects. All volunteers will cover their own air fare and cost of travel to Zambia so that none of the money raised in Ireland for these projects will be spent other than on the projects for which they are intended. Every volunteer is expected to also raise a significant amount of money for these projects. Volunteers typically spend three to four months preparing and training for these trips.

The volunteer experience

Everyone who travels to Zambia meets the other side of our planet and knows by name people who previously were only on the periphery of our consciousness. We encounter a level of poverty, illness, malnutrition and deprivation which many of us cannot imagine. It affects us profoundly.

We also meet some of the kindest, most cheerful and most welcoming people on earth. We learn a lot from those we meet, as they no doubt learn from us. This is a cultural exchange. We go to serve and to learn. It is common for volunteers to report they have received more from their participation in the project than they have put in to it. I include myself in that category.

When we return home, we have a role in telling the rest of the world of what we have seen.  We hope to raise awareness of those others who share our planet, but out of our sight.

Are you interested?

When in Zambia we live in the villages and townships where we work in the same houses as those we serve. We share the same basic living conditions, although we have the advantage of mosquito nets, innoculations and vaccinations which our neighbours do not have. We have no showers, toilets, electricity or running water and our meals are cooked over open fires. The conditions are simple and basic, but we will be safe. The spirit is uplifting and each trip to Zambia, is the trip of a lifetime.

If you would like to volunteer next summer, send me an email.