Download Zambia! I have just returned from a month

Zambia! I have just returned from a month-­‐long Medical Volunteer trip through African Impact, to Livingstone, Zambia! Livingstone is a relatively large city with most of its inhabitants living in small towns outside the city centre. Most people in Livingstone speak between 5 and 10 different languages (including English), making communication with the locals relatively easy. There are lots of activities to do and sights to see around Livingstone, including the infamous Victoria Falls. I lived in a volunteer house with 25 other college-­‐age volunteers from all over the world! My role in Zambia included everything from medical volunteer to teacher to teammate. Each morning, I would start my day either working in a clinic or providing home based care in one of seven local towns. The clinics were essentially 3 roomed buildings typically containing a small pharmacy, waiting room, and a room with a doctor. Because health care is free in Zambia, people simply walk into any clinic, get assessed by a doctor, and leave with medications in hand. Home based care consisted of myself and a few other volunteers travelling around to homes where it may be difficult for patients to get to a clinic. We would diagnose the patient to the best of our (limited) ability, and treat them if possible. If we felt that they in fact did need to see a doctor or go to a hospital, we could arrange for their transport via African Impact vehicles. Occasionally I would spend my mornings giving health talks at clinics on topics such as AIDS and hygene, or working in the local hospice. In the afternoons, I volunteered at one of many non-­‐medical projects, including building, painting, farming, various afterschool programs, sports, physical education, art clubs, etc. I found these afternoon projects especially fulfilling, because working with the Zambian children was absolutely amazing. The children were extremely well behaved, appreciative, interesting, and fun! I’ve included some pictures below. This is me with some of the local kids at after school club. Other volunteers and I, wrapping sores on the foot of a man with leporacy. Me and another volunteer painting a clinic Cleaning the sores of a little boy with HIV Me teaching PE at a local school Another after school program A big infection we found on a man during home based care On the weekends, I was free to do anything I wanted, and so I participated in plenty of exciting excursions, including a Safari at Chobe national park in Botswana, visiting Victoria falls (my favorite!), and riding elephants! I have included some pictures from these excursions as well. A hippo at Chobe national park (Botswana) A crocodile at Chobe A giraffe at Chobe Vultures in a tree at Chobe A lion at Chobe Me on an elephant Me feeding an elephant (SCARED TO DEATH!) Me walking down to the base of Victoria Falls Me standing in front of a SMALL portion of the amazing Victoria falls. Overall, my four weeks in Zambia were the best in my life. I enjoyed every part of the experience including my work with African Impact, the people I met and interacted with, my housing situation, and so much more. I would recommend working with African Impact to anyone who has the opportunity!