Make a REAL difference in Zambia with Love Volunteers!

I was very happy when I found Love Volunteers. Not only do they have programs all over the world, they are also economical! I took a bit of a risk when signing up to go to Zambia as there weren't any reviews of LV volunteers there. That being said, it was the best decision ever!

I saw other programs available for Zambia at twice the price! I ran into some of the programs in Zambia and am glad I didn't end up signing up with them. With the local NGO LV partners with you get more of cultural experience and you live in the bush! Don't let that scare you thought, you still get a chalet with showers, toilets, nets, pillows and great cooks. Most importantly you get to know the locals, whether it be the locals whom you'll work alongside with or the locals whose house your building or the neighbours.

The NGO also has an option for a Botswana Safari which is reasonably price considering you go to different parks, accommodations and transportation.

If you want the real Africa, go to Zambia. If you want to truly contribute to the local community, volunteer with Love Volunteers. All the money you pay (except admin fee) goes to the local NGO, which in turns buys material for volunteers, hosts you, feeds you, and employs locals!

I couldn't have hoped for a better experience. Thank you to the LV team, the NGO, and the local Zambians!

Me and my wife spent an amazing 2 weeks roughing it in Mtendere East, Lusaka, Zambia in December 2011. We arrived on the coach from Vic Falls half way through a 3 month trek through Africa. Our chilled out policeman host met us at the bus station and our first adventure was the local bus to our compound over the rough untarmacced terrain.

After a night of pure fear and "what the hell are we doing here" we took a couple of days to get acclimatised before starting our 2 weeks in the orphanage. Unlike the stereotype, our orphans were aged from 9 upwards, and we had to entertain them with some educational help, such as maths tuition and English, creative art and games. WE were pretty much left to our own initiative, which was scary but at times but extremely rewarding. The highlight was definitely taking the kids to the local waterpark, a pure treat and the excitement of the kids was special.

Love Volunteers were always accessible by email (when we ventured out to the shopping malls for a bit of R&R) and keen to know how we were doing. OUr host was eager to please, but chilled out and let us get on with it. The living was basic. Water from a borehole, no fridge, Nshima rather too regularly and roaches and lizards on the walls. But that made it even more of an adventure.

I'd say Love volunteers is a great organisation for seeing the true Africa. We were the only two Mazungu in Mtendere so felt truly embedded. Great value and a superb experience.