What a great experience!

In August my boyfriend and I participated in the Childcare program with IVHQ in Zambia. We originally signed up for childcare, however once we arrived they really needed more teachers, so we agreed to help out and do the teaching program! What a great decision this was. We were placed at a small school where class is held in a woman's backyard. She started up this school so she could help educate the local children who's families cannot afford to send their kids away to school. We taught in her back yard and the kids happily sat on a floor mat while we tried to teach them everything we know. We did not have a lesson plan to follow, we were only instructed to teach them anything we think they need to know. This was such a broad spectrum but left the floor really open for creative ideas. Being open to whatever comes your way is essential on a program like this!

We walked 2 miles to school and 2 miles back to the volunteer house each day. Along our walk we always felt extremely safe, and loved getting to see the friendly locals each morning greeting us. We managed after four weeks of being in Zambia to meet so many people that we passed each day to and from school. The walk became one of our favourite times of day.

At our school we were teaching children from ages 2-13. One of the most rewarding things was to see them growing. We were at this school for four weeks, and in four weeks so much can happen. Kids who could barely write when we first arrived were starting to be able to write their names. They were learning new words in english, they were learning games and songs, they were learning how to read. It was such a great experience. The school is in need of so many things, and I would say that is the hardest part. Knowing that they need so much, but you can't give them everything. You have to just do the best you can with what you have. Showing them attention and encouragement was something that goes such a long way. They had the most fun when we played games with them, or danced with them. They laughed, yelled and sang.

One awesome experience we had was when the owner of our school decided to make us lunch one day, so she showed up with a live chicken and a horse hoof. She went to so much work to prepare a meal for us to say thank you for our help. She even hand made us traditional African attire to wear at the lunch, while her and her family also dressed in their traditional wear. This is the kind of kindness the people of Zambia have to offer. Their smile and way of life is infectious!

I was expecting to teach the kids so much during this trip, but they taught me much more valuable lessons than I could have ever imagined. Zambia is peaceful place, it is very safe and very friendly. This is great place to come if it is your first time traveling away, they are such kind and welcoming people.