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MEDICAL & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Quick Facts

Livingstone, Zambia

Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport

Every Monday

10 days - 12 weeks

Impact: Healthcare

from $1,495 – $4,695
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MEDICAL & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Whether you’re a pre-med student, qualified professional, or someone interested in healthcare, join the African Impact team on this meaningful volunteer program in the heart of Zambia. In a community where medical resources are scarce and access to healthcare limited, bring awareness and guidance to the local people. Take part in home-based care, clinic support, health talks, and HIV education workshops as you truly make an impact on those living in traditional rural villages. 

What You Need to Know About Being a Medical Volunteer.

Project Highlights

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Gain valuable healthcare experience in a variety of departments whilst assisting in medical clinics
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Support community members suffering from illness and disease by accompanying local caregivers to their rural homes, and provide advice and treatment
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Participate in health talks held at schools, training centers and support groups that encourage healthy lifestyle choices and preventative healthcare measures
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Provide HIV education initiatives that provide awareness and promote a positive statement
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Visit the mighty Victoria Falls and see Africa’s most iconic wildlife on safari during your free time

The Destination

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Livingstone is a beautiful, rural town in southern Zambia just a stone’s throw away from the mighty Zambezi river and the border of Zimbabwe. It is a hub for visitors looking to experience one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World – Victoria Falls, locally known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, ‘the Smoke that Thunders’. Livingstone is the ultimate playground for adventure-seekers, wildlife enthusiasts, and lovers of the great outdoors. Whether you’d like to bungee jump, swim in the ‘Devil’s Pool’, white water raft down the Zambezi, join a river safari or enjoy an African sunset, every experience in Livingstone is unique. The town itself is relaxed and friendly with an intriguing culture and history. Here, you’ll find arts and craft producers, museums, colonial architecture, traditional village life, as well as delicious local food and laidback African lifestyle.

You’ll be staying in the heart of Livingstone at a private volunteer house within the popular and vibrant Victoria Falls Backpackers Zambia. This comfortable backpackers’ is 15 minutes from Victoria Falls and is a 5 minute walk from Livingstone’s town centre which has many stores and a great selection of cafes and restaurants for you to explore at weekends. You will have access to a swimming pool, lounge, bar, fire pit area and even a climbing wall! These communal areas offer the perfect space to get to know each other and relax at the end of the day. Bedrooms are dormitory style with bunk beds and shared bathroom facilities, as well as daily housekeeping. The staff can share knowledge about the area and are happy to help organize river cruises, canoe safaris, and trips to Chobe National Park. You won’t want to leave your “new home” as the staff will become your new family!
You will receive three fresh and delicious meals a day cooked by local chefs during the week. For breakfast you can expect cereal and toast, along with a cooked option such as eggs, pancakes or French toast. Lunch could be a wrap, pizza or sandwich paired with a fresh crispy salad. For dinner you might have a pasta dish, curry with rice or an authentic stew. Vegetarian options are available and we can cater to most dietary requirements. At weekends you will have access to the kitchen to make your own food, though most volunteers choose to visit local cafes and restaurants. Café Zambezi makes great traditional Zambian food and is a favourite amongst locals, while Maramba River Lodge is a popular spot for sundowners and Fez Bar is a popular place to hang out with locals and do a little dancing in the evenings!
To keep in touch with family and friends back home, Victoria Falls Backpackers has complimentary WiFi for you to use during your stay. You can also purchase a SIM card with data bundles if you wish.
Weather in Livingstone tends to be stable and sunny from August until late October when the "monsoon" rains start to hit. Either side of this time, the weather is very pleasant. The climate is tropical or sub-tropical depending on altitude, with a hot, humid, and rainy season from mid-November to March and a dry season from April to mid-November. October is typically the hottest month of the year.

Project Impact Areas

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CLINIC SUPPORT

Volunteers have the opportunity to observe patient care being provided by local staff in several Livingstone clinics, which provides valuable insight into the public healthcare system in Zambia. With the clinics having limited medical equipment, under-staffed, and overrun with patients, the assistance provided by volunteers is invaluable. Help with tasks such as taking basic vitals and allow staff to treat the large number of patients quicker. The clinics have several departments that you may be involved in, including outpatients for adults and children, HIV and TB services, as well as the pharmacy and maternity departments.

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HEALTH EDUCATION

Be part of the bigger picture and contribute to health talks at local schools, training centers, and support groups by discussing relevant health issues. Facilitate workshops with community members on topics such as living positively with HIV, nutrition, cervical cancer, and women’s health. This form of education is vital as it provides individuals with the knowledge and ability to make healthy lifestyle choices within the context of their environment. Sharing knowledge is very powerful and the presence of volunteers is key in motivating community members.

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AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES

The unique part of our Livingstone projects is that you can choose from a range of fun, engaging afternoon activities. Whether you’re playing to your strengths, broadening your knowledge, or just trying to step out of your comfort zone, you will get to work with a range of different community members on development projects and make an even greater impact on the ground.

Each afternoon you could be involved in Math Club, Reading Club, After-School Care, Adult Literacy Class, Art Club, environmental initiatives, or even some building activities.

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HOME-BASED CARE

Many people living in the poorer communities of Livingstone do not have the means to visit a clinic or hospital and therefore rely on home-based carers to deliver basic medical aid. Volunteers will have the opportunity to walk through local communities offering home-based care to people who need treatment for things such as burns, bites, and cuts. Wound observations are noted during each visit to monitor improvements and plan for follow-ups. Basic vitals are also taken to monitor the overall health of patients.

Recent Reviews

“I had a great time being able to deliver care to people who need it most in rural Zambia. Home-based care is an effective way to provide the most basic needs that cannot be met otherwise. I also enjoyed the additional projects that involved teaching and playing sports. They were a pleasure.”

Andrew Merelman, USA
Medical & Community Development - Zambia

“Volunteering with African Impact frequently pushes you outside of your comfort zone and that is the best part about it. People from all different walks of life congregate here and work for a common goal, which is really something special. The work I’ve done here as a medical volunteer has been meaningful and that’s why I’ve come here twice, there really is no better way to make an immediate impact on a great community than volunteering here. Lastly, the staff of African Impact is incredible from top to bottom and they really create a fantastic family atmosphere.”

Parker Lewis, USA
Medical & Community Development - Zambia

“Great, would recommend again. there are great staff, very friendly. they really immerse you into the culture and provide a great Zambian experience. There are many activities to choose from and you really feel like you are making a difference in the lives of those here.”

Alaiyah, United States
Medical & Community Development - Zambia

Frequently Asked Questions

Community Medical Centre Volunteer

How to become a community medical center volunteer

Joining us as a Medical and Community Development Volunteer is the experience of a lifetime. Here’s how you can make your impact with us. Read through our project page: This project page has a wealth of information on what you can expect as a medical volunteer in Zambia, and how you’ll be making your impact. Get to know us: We want you to fully get to know us and discover if we’re the proper organization for you. Here are a few relevant pages to read if you’re curious to learn more about who we are; Our Mission and Values, Our stance on Responsible Volunteering, Why Volunteer with African Impact. Ask the right questions: If you have questions about joining us, we’d love to answer them! Choose your dates and apply! If we’re the right organization for you, we cannot wait to welcome you with open arms to one of our projects! Scroll down to the bottom of this page to choose your dates and apply.

Where can I volunteer as a community medical center volunteer?

You can join us as a medical volunteer in Zambia or Kenya. Please click on the respective links to learn about volunteer opportunities in each country.

What qualifications do you need to become a community medical center volunteer?

We place each volunteer in a healthcare setting 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.

Benefits of becoming a community medical center volunteer

As a community medical volunteer, 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.

Other Activities

Livingstone, Zambia is safari country. Here, you can spot a whole lot of wildlife, with elephants being particularly prevalent along the river banks. do rhino bushwalks or even take a boat safari to spot elephants off the Zambezi River. Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park offers a convenient safari where you can spot elephant, zebra and more, against beautiful backdrops of the Zambezi River. The real highlight of the park is the re-introduced white rhino, which you can track on foot in a thrilling wildlife encounter! A water safari is also a fantastic way to see wildlife grazing on the river banks – expect elephants, hippos and crocodiles. Across the border in Botswana is Chobe National Park, famed for its huge elephant population (currently estimated at over 120,000!). An overnight safari to this National Park is a popular weekend activity that many past volunteers have enjoyed.
Livingstone is known as “Africa’s Adventure Capital” because there is so much to see and do. Take advantage of your proximity to the great and mighty Victoria Falls, as well as the other adventures the Zambezi has to offer. Zambezi boat cruises, white water rafting, and canoe trips are all ways in which you can encounter these great waters. You can also ride quad bike trails, swim in “Devil’s Pool” (seasonal) or view the breath-taking scenery from the air in a microlight or helicopter. For the adrenaline junkies, why not try the famous bungee jump or gorge swing?
Livingstone has a rich culture and you can embark on a walking or cycling village tour to a local African village, giving you further insight into the traditional way of life. You can also shop at some of the many markets and stock up on locally hand-made goods for your loved ones back home or find interesting local foods to try.

Apply Now

Once you have submitted your application, a Destination Specialist will be in-touch to discuss the project with you.

Clear

Project Fee Includes

  • Accommodation throughout your entire stay at the lively Victoria Falls Backpackers Zambia, in a private section shared by our volunteers, interns and staff
  • 3 delicious meals a day cooked by chefs from the local community (weekdays only)
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off by the African Impact team
  • Experienced international and local staff members who live and work alongside you every day
  • A full induction, orientation and training session to ensure you can contribute sustainably
  • All necessary project equipment and resources you’ll need on the ground

Project Fee Excludes

  • Flights
  • Medical or travel insurance
  • Visa-related costs
  • Weekend trips or tours, or any other non-project activity
  • Snacks, soft drinks, gifts or souvenirs
  • Laundry
  • Mandatory contribution of US$25 that is donated to the African Impact Sustainability Fund
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