Family Volunteering in Africa

Volunteering in Africa isn’t just for singles and teens on gap year breaks, families are also welcome to volunteer with African Impact!

African Impact has drawn inspiration from families volunteering with us in the past and continues to welcome family groups on almost all of our volunteer programs in Africa. Please enquire with any one of our travel destination managers to find out about family friendly volunteer work and which programs are most suited to your family group. We are more than happy to tailor-make a once in a lifetime family volunteering experience for you.

Feedback on Adventure Family Travel to Africa

Family of four (Jeff, Bobbi, Keoni and Kaili Smith) from Hawaii have given us feedback on their family volunteering experience in Livingstone, Zambia. Read what they have to say about their adventure family travel program with African Impact, in October 2007:

“We can’t begin to thank you enough for the opportunity of a lifetime. Our only regret is that we couldn’t stay longer!

We are slowly easing our way back into society as we knew it, but it will never be as it was. The sleep deprivation on the way home did not help matters. Bobbi went to Costco yesterday, (a huge discount club store where we shop to save money) and broke out into tears after she called me on the cell. There is so much stuff here, Christmas is out and on the shelf, tons of food, and dry goods that nobody really needs, she was totally overwhelmed as all she could think of was our time there spent volunteering with kids that were happy with just the clothes on their back and some maize porridge as their meal for the day!

All in all I wanted to thank you for a great experience. Our kids will never be the same, neither will Bobbi and I! We truly enjoyed our time volunteering with African Impact, your entire staff and the other volunteers! You guys do a tremendous job and have a lot to be proud of.

Hang in there and keep up the good work!
We send our Love and Aloha to you
Missing you and wishing we were still there…”

For Family Friendly Volunteer Work in Africa – Contact Us

Feel free to contact us to tailor-make family adventure travel programs for you, or to enquire about family volunteering in Africa.

You can choose a project from our list of African volunteer programs and we will let you know which are family friendly.

Group discounts – about our ‘Mates Rates’

For information on the group discount rates that we offer, contact us and one of our destination managers will inform you of discounts available to families and groups on our volunteer projects.

We invite you, your family and your friends to experience Africa, with a difference by making a positive contribution to its people, natural environment and wildlife.

Please visit our site at: African Impact

Clinic & Medical Assistance, Victoria Falls – Highlights

This volunteer project in Africa includes: Medical Volunteering & Helping Children – Rural Clinics – Livingstone

• Gain medical experience in local clinics under our staff supervision
• Assist with local disadvangtaged kids
• Immerse yourself in local Zambian culture
• Make friends for life

“I firmly believe that this program is very much needed here in Zambia and other parts of this continent. It is a very ambitious program and its impact is definitely being felt across the region. Every adult helped, who has learned to read, every child receiving some sort of medical care, every family who has received some sort of assistance, is an investment in the GNWB – Gross National Well Being of Africa.”
Kennard Gopaul, USA – September 2008.

“The trip has made me want to come back out to Africa ASAP and help more!! Life is way too short as it is without lack of food & water, so it has given me huge motivation to spread awareness to others in England on the problems & encourage other people to help.”
Rosie Ratcliffe, UK – September 2008.

Zambia Travel Highlights

• Experience the ‘adventure capital of Africa’
• The world’s most exciting white water rafting on the Zambezi River
• Bungee jumping and gorge swings over the Batoka Gorge which the water cascades into below the Falls
• Sunset Cruises on the Zambezi River above the Falls – this tranquil activity transports you back in time to the Africa of old and the excitement of cruising amongst crocodiles and hippos
• Elephant back safaris (half day or full day excursions)
• Canoeing Safaris on the Zambezi River above the Falls with experienced guides

Project Fee Includes

• Project Fee: this entails financing that goes directly back into the project that you are involved with. This project fee facilitates funding for items such as building materials, equipment, supplies, foodstuffs, etc. Project fees are also used to buy vehicles/equipment and for developing new housing for volunteers to provide for the expansion of the project.
• All airport transfers from Livingstone International Airport upon your arrival and departure
• Orientation program
• All daily transfers to and from your projects during your stay
• Full board and lodging which includes 3 meals a day at our volunteer house
• Weekly laundry service during your stay
• Assistance in your projects by various African Impact staff and volunteer coordinators. Full support from African Impact and your coordinator throughout your time on your Livingstone placement
• Any visits to other AI programmes based in Livingstone

Project Fee Excludes

• Personal travel insurance for the duration of your placement which must include cover for repatriation
• All transport by air or bus to Livingstone
• All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing (work and other)
• Email/Internet and telephone calls
• Soft drinks, wines an spirits
• All visas for border crossings
• Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary in Zambia e.g. visit to the Victoria Falls, white water rafting, etc

Day in the life…

This is a typical day in the life of a volunteer working on the Clinic & Medical Assistance project:

Here is how a typical day in the life of a Livingstone medical volunteer might take shape. Please note that your itineraries may differ from this, depending on your own experience and the number of other volunteers on the placement at the same time, and this is simply to give an example:

0700 – Its rise and shine, and time for breakfast. The volunteers also spend some time preparing for the day, ensuring they have everything they need in their medical bags.
0745 – Off to work. The volunteer takes their station on arrival at the clinic and starts their morning taking vital statistics in the clinics before each patient sees the clinical officer. You may also spend your morning baby weighing – a thoroughly enjoyable job!
1130 – You will be picked up from your project and be taken back to the house for lunch.
1200 – Lunch.
1300 – Planning Session – You are given this time to prepare for your afternoon or other projects you may need to prepare for, this may mean designing and making posters, researching, writing quiz’s or tests or simply gathering supplies.
1345 – Depart for your community project. This may be farming, building, or painting. it may mean an art club or a reading club, or assisting with home based care or in one of the homes. You may also be involved in planning and delivering one of our workshops to the kids of the community schools covering topics such as basic first aid, drugs and alcohol, HIV and AIDS or life skills.
1700 – You will arrive back to the house for supper after your projects. Your evening is free, so why not treat yourself to a meal out, or simply sit enjoy a beer in front of the TV whilst planning for the next day.

Read further on Africa Impact