Teaching and Community Work in Zambia

What is Teaching & Community Work in Zambia all about?

Volunteering with us for teaching and community work in Zambia on a project at a number of community schools in the local area where large class numbers and just a small number of teachers means that children struggle and are unable to get help. The schools want to be able to do more, but without funding cannot bring in additional staff or create additional resources. The project collaborates with the local Department of Education ensuring that project activities are in line with local needs and solutions include classroom assistance, preparing materials, building and refurbishing school facilities as well as after school activities. Recently teacher development has been identified as a priority for the project and experienced volunteers are helping to develop the skills of locally qualified teachers, aiming to improve the ongoing quality of education.

There are also many areas within the community where volunteer support is required as the project works on a wide range of activities in the community including adult literacy and some group manual work painting and refurbishing areas. During school holidays teaching and extracurricular activities are run at holiday clubs for the students. This project provides a range of support for the community and this is an exciting opportunity for you to contribute your time, skills and effort. Come to Zambia and work with local staff to provide education access for all, and learn about the challenges facing Zambian teachers.

Why choose this Teaching & Community in Zambia project?

Teaching volunteers spend their time providing much needed assistance within the community schools of Livingstone. While the teacher stands at the front of the class leading the lessons, it is extremely valuable to have a teaching assistant who can go around and help individual children with their assignments. Since classes are usually very large, the pupils do not often get this individual attention, so any extra attention they receive is highly appreciated. In the holidays and after school it is the volunteer work that can provide additional help in regards to extra education and other community initiatives.

If you are studying or considering a career in education what a great way to gain an insight in the challenges of managing children and understanding the challenges of working in a resource poor setting. As an experienced educator it is an amazing opportunity to share the benefits of your own training with those who do not have easy access or opportunities to learn new skills and techniques.

Role of the Education volunteer

Unqualified volunteers will spend mornings working as a teaching assistant in local schools, giving extra one-on-one attention to those children in the class which require some additional help with their work, as well as helping with marking and group work. You will also assist teachers with marking tests as this is an important part of the education system in Zambia, and it is very time consuming. In the afternoons, you will help out on other community projects including building and refurbishment work and tending to land which is part of the elephant pepper program (helping wild elephants stay out of communities), helping to care for the elderly, adult literacy classes, farming activities or children’s art clubs. In school holidays teaching continues in holiday clubs where lessons are mixed with fun activities for the children.

If you are a qualified teacher your skills and knowledge can be put to good use in developing training materials and running teaching training sessions, as these are few and far between. Before you join the project you will be matched with a school and you will spend the mornings of your first week in the classroom assisting the local teachers and gaining an insight into their challenges. In the afternoon you will join other community activities. In weeks 2 – 4 you will deliver sessions in the afternoons on topics such as behaviour management, teaching styles, and resource development using training sessions, providing model classes and even doing observations and giving feedback as part of the process.

What skills do I need to be a Community & Education volunteer

You do not need to have a prior teaching qualification for this project, but it would be useful. You do need to have a good command of English as well as good reading and writing skills. You will be assisting local teachers as well as the possibility of holding your own classes and will also be involved in afternoon reading clubs and adult literacy sessions. Above all, you must love children, have a flexible attitude and be a good communicator. You will be asked to send your CV/resume as part of the application process for this project.

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