Public Healthcare Volunteer Project in Zambia
VOLUNTEER
MEDICAL
Offer Personalized Care to Rural Communities in Need
Calling all medical enthusiasts – whether pre-med, a seasoned professionals or purely an enthusiastic caregiver! Join African Impact and make a profound difference in rural Livingstone, Zambia. Witness firsthand the challenges of limited healthcare access, and become a beacon of hope for those in need. Deliver essential health care through home visits, clinic support, and educational workshops, tackling critical issues like HIV awareness and healthy living. This isn’t just public health volunteering in Zambia; it’s a transformative journey where your passion for medicine translates into tangible healing and empowerment, leaving a lasting impact on individuals and communities alike.
Project highlights
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Clinic Assistance
Help local clinics manage their workload and gain invaluable experience.
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Home-based Care
Accompany local caregivers to rural homes of those unable to reach clinics.
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Healthcare Experience
Work in a variety of departments whilst assisting in medical clinics.
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Support the Elderly
Provide medical assistance and companionship to elderly members of the community.
Available: Year Round
Duration: 2 Weeks+
Price From $1,950 This cost covers your accommodation, meals, project fees, transfers, 24/7 support and in-country orientation.
Project impact areas
Here’s how you will create significant impact through the Public Healthcare project in Zambia.
MEDICAL
Clinic Support
Witness the realities of public healthcare in Zambia alongside dedicated local staff. Observe patient care in Livingstone’s formal and informal clinics, while gaining invaluable insights into their unique challenges. Limited equipment and high patient volumes create a demanding environment where your support will shine bright. Assist with taking vitals, streamlining patient flow, and lending a helping hand across departments, like adult/child outpatient, HIV/TB services, pharmacy, and maternity.
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals
1. No poverty
2. Zero hunger
3. Quality education
4. Gender equality
MEDICAL
Home-based Care
Imagine bringing healthcare directly to those who need it most. In some of Livingstone’s communities, clinics are beyond reach. Join home-based carers on visits around the local community attending to everyday medical issues such as burns, bites, and cuts, for example. Carefully assess wounds, track progress, and monitor vital signs, ensuring each patient receives vital health care.
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals
1. No poverty
2. Zero hunger
3. Quality education
4. Gender equality
MEDICAL
Health Education
Share your health expertise through engaging talks at schools, training centres, and support groups. Facilitate workshops on crucial topics like living with HIV, nutrition, cervical cancer, and women’s health. Empower individuals to make informed choices, tailoring your message to their unique cultural context. Remember, knowledge is power! As a public health volunteer in Zambia you can translate your passion into action, motivating community members to embrace healthier lifestyles.
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals
1. No poverty
2. Zero hunger
3. Quality education
4. Gender equality
Example Daily Schedule
Monday - Friday
Morning
07:45 – 11:00
Medical Activities such as clinic visits or home-based care
11:00 – 12.00
Free time
Lunch
12:00 – 12:30
Afternoon
12:30 – 13:00
Preparation for Afternoon Activities
13:30 – 16:00
Community Development Activities (Dependent on Community Needs)
Dinner
18:30 – 19:00
Evening
19:00 – 21:00
Free time, games night or movie night
Accommodation & Meals
Livingstone, Zambia
Your home away from home in Livingstone is a friendly, secure volunteer base with comfortable shared rooms and social communal spaces.
You’ll stay at Victoria Falls Backpackers in a comfortable, social volunteer set-up with shared rooms (4–8 beds), hot-water shared bathrooms, and access to facilities like a dining area, bar and swimming pool. It’s also an easy walk to Livingstone town centre for shops, cafés and restaurants.
You’ll be supported by African Impact staff throughout, with a full orientation on arrival. The base has 24/7 security, clear safety procedures, and robust participant and child-protection policies in place.
Life at the Base
Livingstone, Zambia
Livingstone is a vibrant, soulful town with a friendly atmosphere. It is known as the adventure capital of Africa, situated close to Victoria Falls. Adventure isn’t all that awaits female empowerment volunteers in Zambia – Livingstone’s heart beats with the rhythm of a rich culture and history. Enjoy dinner overlooking the Zambezi river and take in the most spectacular sunsets you’ve ever seen.
On the weekends, you can chase adrenaline at Victoria Falls with white-water rafting, bungee jumping or a gorge swing, take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi, join a game drive in a nearby national park, explore local markets and culture, or simply unwind by the pool with your volunteer crew.
SIM cards can be purchased from most shops or at the airport with various packages allowing for phone calls and/or data usage. Our accommodation offers free WiFi that enables you to make contact with home. Power and electricity supply can be intermittent in Livingstone and its surrounds so do bring your power banks and embrace patience if you encounter an outage. TIP: Ensure your cellphone is enabled to allow for a foreign SIM card if you intend to use one.
Arrive at Harry Mwanga Nkumbula (Livingstone) International Airport (LVI) on your Monday start date, landing between 9am and 6pm in order to make the complimentary transfer service. Look for the African Impact sign – a friendly face will be there to welcome you!
Our brilliant African Impact team, led by Base Manager Sander, will look after you during your time with us! Whichever project you choose, you’ll get to know everyone incredibly well both out on project and around the base. Our crew of changemakers are waiting to welcome you to Livingstone!
Our base has outsourced security staff patrolling 24/7, and our team is trained in Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) competencies. The base is equipped with fire safety equipment and evacuation plans. We have comprehensive policies, including child protection, to protect all participants. Upon arrival, trained staff will induct you on our policies, procedures, and code of conduct to ensure your safety and awareness.
Project Destination
Livingstone is a vibrant, soulful town with a friendly atmosphere. It is known as the adventure capital of Africa, situated close to Victoria Falls. Adventure isn’t all that awaits female empowerment volunteers in Zambia – Livingstone’s heart beats with the rhythm of a rich culture and history. Enjoy dinner overlooking the Zambezi river and take in the most spectacular sunsets you’ve ever seen.
Communication
SIM cards can be purchased from most shops or at the airport with various packages allowing for phone calls and/or data usage. Our accommodation offers free WiFi that enables you to make contact with home. Power and electricity supply can be intermittent in Livingstone and its surrounds so do bring your power banks and embrace patience if you encounter an outage. TIP: Ensure your cellphone is enabled to allow for a foreign SIM card if you intend to use one.
Flights & Arrivals
Arrive at Harry Mwanga Nkumbula (Livingstone) International Airport (LVI) on your Monday start date, landing between 9am and 6pm in order to make the complimentary transfer service. Look for the African Impact sign – a friendly face will be there to welcome you!
Staff
Our brilliant African Impact team, led by Base Manager Sander, will look after you during your time with us! Whichever project you choose, you’ll get to know everyone incredibly well both out on project and around the base. Our crew of changemakers are waiting to welcome you to Livingstone!
Safety
Our base has outsourced security staff patrolling 24/7, and our team is trained in Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) competencies. The base is equipped with fire safety equipment and evacuation plans. We have comprehensive policies, including child protection, to protect all participants. Upon arrival, trained staff will induct you on our policies, procedures, and code of conduct to ensure your safety and awareness.
...the joy of making a real impact...
“My experience with African Impact in Livingstone has been unforgettable! The public health internship was a great opportunity to explore an area of health within the community and have opportunities for hands-on experience volunteering in local communities and clinics. As volunteers, we also had the opportunity to help in other community-based initiatives including education, sports, building and cleaning efforts. I would recommend this experience to anyone who is keen on observing and experiencing new cultures as the experience has been very immersive.”
Kianah Murao, 21, Canada/Japan
Pricing
Rates
| Duration | Program Fee |
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $1,950 ($975 per week) |
| 3 weeks | $2,800 ($934 per week) |
| 4 weeks | $3,650 ($913 per week) |
| 5 weeks | $4,500 ($900 per week) |
| 6 weeks | $5,350 ($892 per week) |
| 8 weeks | $7,050 ($882 per week) |
| 10 weeks | $8,750 ($875 per week) |
| 12 weeks | $10,450 ($871 per week) |
| 2 weeks | £1,560 (£780 per week) |
| 3 weeks | £2,240 (£747 per week) |
| 4 weeks | £2,920 (£730 per week) |
| 5 weeks | £3,600 (£720 per week) |
| 6 weeks | £4,280 (£714 per week) |
| 8 weeks | £5,640 (£705 per week) |
| 10 weeks | £7,000 (£700 per week) |
| 12 weeks | £8,360 (£697 per week) |
| 2 weeks | €1,794 (€897 per week) |
| 3 weeks | €2,576 (€859 per week) |
| 4 weeks | €3,358 (€840 per week) |
| 5 weeks | €4,140 (€828 per week) |
| 6 weeks | €4,922 (€821 per week) |
| 8 weeks | €6,486 (€811 per week) |
| 10 weeks | €8,050 (€805 per week) |
| 12 weeks | €9,614 (€802 per week) |
| 2 weeks | $2,886 ($1,443 per week) |
| 3 weeks | $4,144 ($1,382 per week) |
| 4 weeks | $5,402 ($1,351 per week) |
| 5 weeks | $6,660 ($1,332 per week) |
| 6 weeks | $7,918 ($1,320 per week) |
| 8 weeks | $10,434 ($1,305 per week) |
| 10 weeks | $12,950 ($1,295 per week) |
| 12 weeks | $15,466 ($1,289 per week) |
Inclusions
- Backpacker style accommodation with swimming pool
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner (Mon - Fri)
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- All project transport, equipment and resources
- Support from experienced local and international African Impact staff
- Full orientation for responsible project contribution
Exclusions
- Flights
- Visas
- Insurance
- Weekend tours
- Personal expenses
Requirements
- The minimum age to join this project is 18 years old
- The minimum stay for this project is 2 weeks
Award-winning Volunteer and Internship Projects Since 2004
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Volunteering in Africa means travelling with purpose- joining meaningful community or conservation projects, where you pay to cover your stay and project costs, turning your trip into an immersive, impactful experience rather than a traditional holiday.
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Project faqs
What qualifications do you need to become a public health volunteer?
We place each volunteer in a healthcare setting in Zambia that perfectly suits their education, previous experience, interests, and the local community’s needs. We’ve welcomed everyone from nursing students, recently graduated doctors to experienced healthcare professionals in the past. If you have any questions about qualifications for volunteer opportunities, please contact us.
What are the benefits of becoming a community medical volunteer?
As a community medical volunteer in Zambia, you’ll be making real, transformative impacts on the lives of the local community members in desperate need of medical attention. Working alongside local doctors and nurses and gaining invaluable professional experience in global healthcare practices, this is an adventure like no other, powerfully transforming you and the local community alike.
What ethical considerations are in place to ensure I am providing appropriate support during my public health placement?
We prioritise ethical and responsible volunteering practices through all our placements. You’ll never be expected to perform tasks beyond your training or qualifications, and our experienced program coordinators will closely supervise your involvement. We emphasise cultural sensitivity and respect for local customs and traditions throughout your placement. Additionally, we have established strong partnerships with local healthcare facilities, ensuring your contributions align with their existing needs and complement the work of qualified professionals.
Our favourite weekend activities in Zambia
Africa’s adventure capital offers no shortage of ways to spend your weekends as a volunteer. There’s something for everyone – from the adrenaline junkie to culturally intrigued traveller.
