1.    A recent teaching volunteer, Amanda, assisted by some fellow volunteers took her entire class on an excursion to the Victoria Falls! Although the kids live literally only kilometres away from one of the world’s wonders,

many of them had never seen it, and it was a wonderful experience for all to be able to show them the magnificent “Mosi-O-Tunya” (Smoke that Thunders)

2. After 4 weeks of fantastic holiday clubs  it’s now back to school for the third and final term of the year – and the pressure is on! The kids will be sitting their big tests/exams at the end of this term and more than ever could use the extra help our volunteers provide in the classroom. With class sizes of around 40 children, teachers aren’t able to give all the individual attention the children require and many of them fall behind in their school work. Volunteers are able to spend one-on-one time coaching the kids through the curriculum and our weekly study group provides educational support and after school tutoring to Grade 9 pupils on our charity partner, The Happy Africa Foundation’s, Sponsor-a-Child programme.

3. A really LOOONG jump! Our sports volunteers have been training the kids in athletics, which is part of their CTS (Creative and Technology Studies) curriculum – and is tested in exams! – and last week long jump was the skill being taught for the day. A Grade 6 girl from Nakatindi school jumped a staggering 3.26 metres, proof yet again that raw talent is just waiting to be discovered! Join our sports volunteer programme here in Livingstone and help keep the momentum going as you work with these amazing kids…

4. Twice a week our volunteers visit the local Old People’s Home, one of only 3 old people’s facilities in the whole of Livingstone! Wednesday morning visits we conduct health check-ups with the residents and deliver health talks on topics such as hygiene, dehydration and the importance of drinking water, hypertension, etc. Encouraging personal hygiene amongst the old folks comes with its challenges, but our volunteers never give up and have managed to convince, persuade and even assist one resident in particular to have a shower after a whopping 11 months (according to him!) Join us and meet these absolute characters for yourself, we adore them! Just don’t forget the bingo!

5. If the autumn and winter chills are starting to get you into hibernation mode… African summer is in full swing, with beautiful hot, sunshine filled days. And if you decide to head to Livingstone to enjoy our heat you’ll also be rewarded with the chance to experience extreme adrenaline. The Zambezi river is world renowned for rafting and the full river, rapids 1 to 25, are now open! Or if you fancy getting as close to the Victoria Falls as possible, take a swim in Devil’s Pool, off Livingstone Island.

6. Calling all sports lovers… Well there might be a rugby world cup on the go, but football is still the sport of choice in Livingstone! Throughout this year our volunteers have been working closely, helping to coach a team of kids and youths and they absolutely love it. As an afterschool activity, it is aimed at keeping the kids off the street and out of trouble by giving them a constructive way to spend their afternoons. Their natural abilities are honed and they are taught football skills, all whilst having lots of fun. If you’re passionate about footie, this is the programme for you!

7. And whilst we’re talking about football –at our latest art club volunteers had the kids design and draw their very own football jersey! If you’re thinking of joining us in Livingstone, get your creative cap on and we’d love to hear your great ideas for some more fun art club projects!

8. Our medical volunteers have run 10 HIV education courses this year throughout Livingstone, educating around 215 people having 178 students (82%) successfully passing the course and receiving their certificates. With a staggeringly high rate of HIV amongst the population here, this programme is one of the most important that we conduct here and we look forward to further spreading this important education and helping to combat the spread of HIV. Join our medical programme in October and November as we present the course at Linda High School and to more of the inmates at Livingstone prison – a unique and fantastic audience!

9. Our medical volunteers have also been busy with conducting a home based care refresher training course with local carers in the Livingstone surrounds. This group of 30 local carers are being further trained and empowered to continue the great service they provide to their communities. Their final exam will be held on Friday 16^th September and those who pass will receive their certificates, endorsed by the District Ministry of Health. “I loved working with the Home Based Caregivers.  They are committed to making their home communities better and I admire their tenacity and there graciousness” – Laura Peoples, America, July 2011

10. We are absolutely thrilled to have completed building and painting the Nakatindi Health and Education Centre, which will soon officially be given over to Nakatindi community, and is the biggest building project to be undertaken by African Impact and The Happy Africa Foundation to date. But the building fun doesn’t stop there… Volunteers are now hard at work pouring concrete and laying bricks for a security wall fence at Dambwa Christian Community School. Join us and lend a hand in creating a safer school environment for work and play for these underprivileged kids.

Thanks all for your continued support and we look forward to an amazing few months coming up for Livingstone with so much going on and a special project available for the festive season!

Caryn