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I spent the last five days of the trip travelling through Zambia, visiting Chipata, Lusaka and Livingstone en route. At Livingstone, I visited the famous Victoria Falls which were completely breathtaking - one of those things that should be on a '100 things to see before you die' type list. I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to tick that one off.
I flew out of Lusaka yesterday, having said farewell to my fellow travellers the day before. It is incredibly surreal to be back on English soil - particularly as I was suddenly engulfed in christmas music and decorations within minutes of getting off the plane! It's exciting though and I am enjoying being reunited with family, friends and my other half. I'm looking forward to the future and what it has to offer!
I must end this blog with a bit of an advert/plug for Village Africa and the work they do. Firstly, if you are considering undertaking a voluntary placement in the future, I cannot imagine how any other charity could provide such a wonderful experience. If you want to be fully immersed in an African community and to really cut yourself off from the materialism of the West, this placement will provide that. Some other 'volunteer' type companies offer placements but you will be surrounded by other fellow volunteers and live in a town with shops, alcohol and electricity - preventing you from becoming quite as much a part of a community. I lived with one other volunteer in a village that was a 3 hour drive from electricity, running water and shops. As a result, I became a real part of that amazing community and was able to form incredible relationships with both adults and children. I cannot recommend the experience highly enough.
If a placement in Africa is not your cup of tea, it would be great if you would consider fundraising, donating or sponsoring a child with Village Africa. This charity is not like many of the other larger ones that you hear about - there are no large overheads, no UK offices and no huge marketing budget - so you can be confident that your money will go to where it is really needed- the villages themselves. Village Africa has only two Western staff, both of whom do not receive salaries, but work out of the goodness of their hearts. All other staff are villagers themselves, who receive a salary that enables their immediate and extended families to receive education and health care. They do an amazing job at managing Village Africa, but it can be incredibly difficult for them to advertise and market the charity in the UK without computers, electricity or internet connection. The charity, therefore, relies on volunteers in the UK to do this for them. There is no UK office, because this would add to costs, resulting in less money going to the villages. If you want to donate money and to know that you are making a difference to people who really need it - I recommend Village Africa. I have seen first-hand the poverty of these communities and the resilience and determination that they display. Even the smallest amount of money makes a big difference to them.
Sponsoring a child is a very rewarding and worthwhile way to help the communities of Yamba and Milingano. It involves a payment of £10 a month, with a minimum commitment of a year. The children sponsored tend to be orphans, who would be unable to gain education at all without your help. This money will mean that the child can attend school and will provide them with a uniform and books. It will also provide medicine, blankets and mosquito nets for the child, which really could save their life. In return for your donations you will receive letters and photos of the child and will be able to see their progress. These children are just amazing and, if you can spare the money, would appreciate your sponsorship more than you could ever imagine. 'It is Possible'!
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