Volunteers Abroad Reviews and Feedbacks

My Favorite Memory….
Too many great memories!! Mostly getting to love on the kids and teach them! I enjoyed every morning when we walked through the gates and they would run to us with their arms thrown in the air ready to hug us!

I was surprised that….
Everyone was VERY friendly and we never felt threatened or unsafe…just be prepared for extra attention

The most difficult thing I experienced was….
Leaving the kids.

My best received lesson…
We live a life in abundance, while they live a life of simplicity and are overflowing with joy and satisfied with the little they have!
We are blessed and have so much to love to pour out to others, so why not share it with children in Zambia! Life is short-go make the most of it.

Tip for future volunteers… (Clothing, travel, personal items, donations, sightseeing etc)

• Go see Victoria Falls, Go on a safari, Ride the elephants, Visit Mukuni Village in Livingstone, Kaazmein Lodge was very nice place to stay.
• Exchange money at local bank (like Barclays in Arcades/Manda Hill shopping centers) because airports/bureau de change will charge fees for exchange. (currency: about 5,000 kwacha= $1.00)
• While it’s summer in America, it’s winter in Africa. Pack a light jacket and long sleeves.
• Bring any type of clothing (pants, shorts, shoes, socks, shirts, dresses, hairbands) for children from 6-17 years old!
• Bring any kind of school supplies: posters, papers, pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, pens (red/blk/blue), crayons/coloring pencils, backpacks!…they would appreciate anything!
• Bring extra money to treat the kids to snacks (like lollipops)…they loved it!
• Pack: Babywipes, Snack (granola bars, crackers, peanut butter…)
• If staying with Miss Olivia in Lusaka: Towel, Sheet (Size: Double), flashight (power outages are common)

Personal Paragraph (Testimonial)
The trip was beyond anything I could have every expected or imagined! God reminded me how blessed I am and I have been challenged to live a simpler life. The children forever changed my life! My heart broke after meeting them the first day and walking them home to their compound. I saw their home without electricity and running water, yet they still had so much joy! I realized: this is normal to them. This is all they know. We live life in abundance, such as having toilet paper and light bulbs all stocked up so when we run out these items are readily accessible. They live a life of simplicity and find true satisfaction from the little they do have. We built many special friendships there at Kafwa and with our host family. I became so attached to the children and just as I have impacted them, they have outrageously changed my life! I am already looking forward to the day I return to Zambia.

Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?
Definitely!