Program Reviews

I was on the community project in St.Lucia working in the surrounding communities. It was such an incredible experience and worth every penny. The people are incredible and the staff are so supportive. I would 100% recommend it to anybody interested in volunteering. It was a humbling experience I will never forget and I have made so many friends from all over the world. Sign up, jump right in and have the time of your life!

African Impact - Cape Town Pre-school teaching was an amazing opportunity to get a deeper look of the culture and livelihoods of many children. Interacting with children in the townships was unforgettable! Day to day consisted of waking up for breakfast, heading to your school in the mornings to work with the children. Helping with school work and playing with the children was how I spent my morning. The kids are so full of energy and had such a easy time putting a smile on my face! They needed lots of attention and hugs! Back to the house for lunch and then off to another program in the afternoon. HOKISA was a highlight for me. The family atmosphere at HOKISA is quite remarkable. The kids and staff are AMAZING and I loved each afternoon there. The Cape Town project also gives you the opportunity to see the beauty of the city! The views from Table Mountain are unlike any other. The city from above is so beautiful! The waterfront is full of shops and cafes and is a great way to spend any afternoon! Overall, it an unforgettable experience. You don't realize how much you can learn from a 6 year old, and how much they can change your life. I would recommend this experience to anyone and everyone! Don't miss out!

My time in St. Lucia was beyond anything I could have expected. While there, I was on the community project. Volunteers from both the community and medical project lived together, and had afternoon projects together.

My mornings consisted of teaching at creches (like a preschool or day care center). African Impact has organized a rotation to teach at creches at different times throughout the year, but ensuring all get an equal amount of our time. Their influence at creches is huge, but I think the children's influence on me was even greater. These kids are amazing, their desire to learn, their happiness, their sense of responsibility and positivity moved me. The more you put into teaching, the more you truly receive back.

The afternoons consisted of a variety of projects, from After School Club, to gardening, to bed making. The schedule worked on an equal rotational basis. Regardless of the project done, African Impact's goal is sustainability, and all projects aim for that.

During the weekends, there are plenty of opportunities to go on excursions, thanks to our great location. You can go on game drives, feed elephants, go swimming with dolphins in Mozambique, hold a baby croc, the list could go on and on.

I felt extremely welcomed, among our mini little volunteer community, and among the community in the villages we worked. I stayed for 4 weeks in St. Lucia and felt it wasn't long enough. My advice to you is to go, to try everything, and put all your effort into the project!

Before arriving in Zambia I was nervous in anticipation of what was to come. I had never travelled on my own and I wasn't sure what to expect of the medical volunteer project. After arriving and being welcomed by a friendly staff and crew of volunteers I immediately felt at home and never looked back. The two weeks that followed my arrival left me with memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Not only were the projects organized and fun, I also felt like I was actually helping people in the local communities. From Home-based care, to Devil's pool, to bungee jumping, to Chobe and to everything in between I did not want to come home.

I remember one morning while on home-based care, we visited a very sick woman who was left with little energy and strength. Although we couldn't do too much to improve her condition, we were able to provide her with some temporary relief. Following treatment, she made the effort to leave her home and find us amongst the community to tell us that she was feeling better and to thank us for our work. She, just like many of the other patients we saw, was overcome with gratitude because we were willing to sit down, listen to her and help her. In my opinion, there is no better feeling then helping someone and knowing that they were appreciative of your efforts. I cannot put to words how truly amazing my experience was, I only hope that you chose to volunteer with African Impact as well.

If I could offer one piece of advice to a prospective volunteer I would say: "Don't be nervous about diving into the unknown." Although you may never have done anything like this and may never have travelled as far away as Africa, I promise that you will not regret this trip. The whole African Impact team (staff, volunteers and otherwise) was full of amazing people who will make sure your trip is not only safe and enjoyable, but also memorable.

My only regret is that I didn't stay longer than two weeks (I will stay for at least a month the next time I go).

Thank you to everyone at the Livingstone Backpackers for such an amazing experience.

I headed out to South Africa as a Cape Town Teaching volunteer. It really was amazing. Seeing Cape Town on the first day of the trip, I knew I was in the right place. The sun, the sea, the communities and projects, the backdrop... just a truly outrageous first day. Got me so excited for the trip. The first thing I learnt to do was to just ditch your expectations. Try new things, roll with the punches, and get ready to be changed and have an amazing time. I made friend with people of all ages from all over the world, and even though at first you might feel like it's not your normal setting, you'll soon get used to it. I ended up staying for 3 months - all the people I met there that booked for 2,3 or 4 weeks were gutted they didn't book for longer. You get looked after so well at the house too - laundry, meals, accommodation, all top-notch. Met some amazing people and loved working at the schools and community projects. Booking the trip was maybe the best decision I've ever made. DO. IT.

I went to Livingstone, Zambia just over a year ago on the teaching project, and I still regard it as one of the most memorable and life changing experiences that I have encountered. There was a great sense of community amongst the staff and volunteers, which added to the brilliance of the trip. It was thoroughly enjoyable and I'd love to go back again once I've saved up my money!!

I did the Medical outreach/HIV awareness project in St Lucia South Africa last summer and I can't stop thinking about when I can go back. The project was really diverse; I would have been teaching school kids, playing with children in an crèche and planting vegetables all in one day. The project was sustainable, wasn't intrusive and the local people were lovely.

The small town of St Lucia is based in Isimangaliso Wetland Park (which national geographic magazine just did a big spread on) so there are opportunities at the weekends to go on safari. You can also take surfing lessons or go up to Mozambique for a spot of swimming with dolphins. The staff helped us choose and book up activities.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself and cannot think of a better project to get involved with.

Volunteering in Livingstone allowed me to soak up the culture whether that was through Home Based Care or just chatting to the children at family support. It changed my perspective on life; it made me a more positive person and showed me how people in Livingstone live such a difficult life yet are still so happy and how back home we should appreciate everything that we have. The medical programme is very well put together; from the organisation beforehand and getting it booked to the support from staff on the project. I fell in love with Africa and hope to return in the very near future.

They have the most helpful staff, making an amazing impact on local communities! Always so much going on. Weekends free to see local sights such as the amazing Victoria Falls. I met some friends for life and wouldn't have changed a single thing about it!!!

In just a few weeks I will be heading back to the volunteer project for the third time in just under 3 years!
African Impacts project here, boosts the community in so many ways, if it is not teaching adults their ABC's or teaching children how to swim, it is cleaning the beach to make the village more attractive to tourists, or visiting the local diploma course on a Friday night to try the students fusion cooking. There is always some way to help the community, and they always make you feel like you belong.

Toni and Dulla are inspirations, having to cope with up to 15 volunteers coming and going constantly, with injuries, homesick people or just people who do not want to leave!

I could not recommend a more successful project than this, and if you ask my family they will definitely tell you that I do not shut up about this project.

I just have to say asante sana African Impact for introducing me to a country that I will never forget.

It was the most wonderful experience in my life so far. I would recommend it to everyone! It feels great to help te people and te community. You really feel important. And the most wonderful thing is when your kids from nursery school scream your name (Teacher Stephanie!)when they see you in the village. They really do need our help. It is really amazing what African Impact is doing there. It felt like a second home to me and I would love to go back (if I find the money :)). I really have a hard time getting used to my life back home. Africa was/is wonderful!