Education Support Program
OPEN NOW!
Zimbabwe has reopened to international arrivals and our local team are looking forward to welcoming volunteers! See the 'Additional Info.' section for procedures in place during the pandemic.
This essential program delivers early childhood and primary education to desperately disadvantaged children in Zimbabwe. Love Volunteers works with a school located 13kms outside of Victoria Falls and catering to just over 300 children, aged between 3 and 12 years. Many of the children make the arduous journey to and from school each day on foot. Close proximity to the popular tourist attraction has resulted in a mis-alignment of priorities with an increasing reliance on handouts and short-term donations. Volunteers will work across the age groups and with local staff to teach core subjects, particularly maths and English. Teaching experience, whilst appreciated, is not essential. Support provided by volunteers is gratefully appreciated by teachers and students alike.
Goals of this Project:
- Provide essential teaching support
- Improve the future prospects of the children of Zimbabwe
- To create a better understanding of the African culture and value system
- To offer affordable and exciting volunteer projects in one of the magnificent world heritage sites, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
How You Can Help
Volunteers on this wonderful teaching program will play an integral role in the goal of raising the educational bar for children in the Victoria Falls region of Zimbabwe. Not only will volunteers help to teach core subjects, essential to the children's education and future success but will also help to enlighten the children about the wider world and their future prospects. A diverse range of cultures and languages are represented at the school and this has highlighted issues of division and harmful practices. Volunteers, therefore, will need to be flexible and open minded, teaching equality and the benefits of working together as well as core subjects, physical wellbeing and assisting both in and out of the classrooms with homework, lesson planning and administration, arranging games and activities for the children and assisting with meal times.
Volunteers will contribute in a number of ways on this program and can expect to undertake the following tasks:
- Teach children in a variety of subjects
- Arrange games, sporting, music and art related activities
- Work with students on projects and activities
- Assist with the running of the school
Requirements
Love Volunteers welcomes all those 18 years and over who wish to help create a brighter future for children through the power of education. This project best suits those with experience and/or qualifications in the field of childhood development and education, though volunteers who simply wish to explore an interest in this field are also welcomed as there are many ways you can assist in the school environment. Whist not mandatory, completing a TEFL course prior to joining this project would prove to be highly beneficial. Ideally, volunteers on this project will have at least a basic knowledge of the local language in order to communicate effectively with staff and students, though this is not a pre-requisite. Importantly, all applicants must first and foremost have a genuine willingness to help, show drive and initiative, and bring a positive 'can-do' attitude. If this sounds like you, we want you on the team!
Additionally, volunteers applying to join this program will be required to supply to following documentation:
- Emergency contact
- Police check
- Resume
Additionally, volunteers applying to join this program will be required to supply to following documentation:
- Emergency contact
- Police check
- Resume
Project Location
Victoria Falls is a town in the western portion of Zimbabwe, across the border from Livingstone, Zambia, and near Botswana. The town lies immediately next to the falls which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. Although the falls are the major attraction, this popular tourist destination offers both adventure seekers and sightseers plenty of opportunities for a longer stay. While in Victoria Falls you will have the opportunity to undertake many leisure activities ranging from white water rafting and bungee jumping to canoeing, fishing and boat cruises. Your program coordinator can assist you if you wish to book one of these activities and they often get a better price for volunteers.
Start Dates & Duration
This project is available year-round and programs start every SUNDAY. Volunteers can choose to participate for periods ranging from 1 week to 12 weeks. Longer stays can be arranged directly with the local team, but will be subject to availability and individual visa conditions.
Spaces on this project are limited and therefore subject to availability. Early booking is recommended.
For current available start dates please check the calendar on the right.
Arrival & Orientation
Upon your arrival in Victoria Falls, you will be collected at the airport by a representative of the local project team and delivered to your host family accommodation. Here you will receive an orientation to help you settle in, find out about your volunteering placement, the local surroundings and meet your fellow volunteers. A representative from the local team will fill you in on local and regional customs, traveling, rules and recommendations, and of course, what to expect from your volunteering experience. This is a great opportunity to get to know your hosts, meet your fellow volunteers, and ask any last questions you may have.
- Program Arrival Day: SUNDAY
- Program Departure Day: SATURDAY
- Arrival/Departure Airport: Victoria Falls Airport, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (CODE: VFA)
Accommodation & Meals
Volunteers joining our team in Victoria Falls are accommodated in a spacious volunteer house located 4 kms from the city center.
The shared bedrooms are equipped with air conditioning and single beds. Rooms are split by gender.
The bathroom is equipped with a flush toilet and a bath.
The lounge has a spacious lounge suite and entertainment in the form of TV with a wide range of international news and entertainment channels. Wifi is available on site (limited use).
There is a lovely outside area where you can relax with other volunteers for a quiet drink.
Our local partner resides on site, and a cook and cleaner are on site to cook your meals and take care of the house.
On working days, volunteers are provided two meals (breakfast and dinner) on a daily basis while at the volunteer house, while lunch will be provided at the partner office on weekdays. Lunch will be taken at the house on the weekend. If you’re working over your lunch break you can take a packed lunch with you.
For those social occasions with your fellow volunteers, Victoria Falls has a sprinkling of top class restaurants, several African buffets and a few coffee shops, sandwich shops, and fast food options. Easy!
For those who prefer, we can arrange accommodation with a host family. In most cases they provide the volunteer with a private room, but during busy periods you may need to share with other volunteers. The families are experienced in hosting international volunteers and will take very good care of you.
Fees
That’s just USD 63 per day* for:
*In addition to the program fees listed above a Registration Fee is payable to secure your place. The registration fee is USD 299 for those volunteering with Love Volunteers for the first time or USD 149 for any subsequent volunteer placements. The registration fee includes: lifetime LV Alumni Membership, fundraising support & advice, dedicated pre-departure support, certificate of completion (on request), and exclusive access to the LV Trip Planner.
Some things are not included in the program fees listed above, such as flights, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, additional foods and snacks, spending money, local transport, in-country trips and excursions, return airport transfer (unless mentioned above).
Please note that prices are subject to change without notice. Please ensure you have read the Love Volunteers Terms and Conditions & Refund Policy.
Additional Info
COVID-19 requirements:
All international arriving flight passengers will need to adhere to the following:
- Provide a negative Covid-19 test result, taken no more than 48 hours prior to their departure.
- Those arriving without a negative test or exhibiting symptoms will be tested and placed in quarantine (at their own cost).
- If a positive test result is returned visitors will be subject to 14 day self-quarantine.