Global Volunteers

Tikondane in Zambia welcome volunteers from around the world to share their expertise, or to just lend a hand, whilst living in and learning about, life in an active grassroots community development project. You’ll need to be self-motivated, positive, open-minded and have a sense of humour. To get the most from the experience Tikondane ask volunteers to stay from two weeks to three months or more.

There are many ways in which you can make a contribution. Get involved in income-generating activities, from bread making to weaving, knitting, sewing and carpentry. There are also opportunities in early childhood care and education, adult literacy classes, training interns in management practices, and agricultural projects in the villages.

Volunteer Packages

Tikondane is a vibrant grassroots community centre run for and by the people of Katete. Their mission is to fight poverty in Katete through better education, health and entrepreneurship; helping people to help themselves while maintaining their traditional values.

Currently Tikondane are particularly interested in volunteers who can make a contribution in the following areas:

• Early childhood playgroups, primary education in the lively community school, and literacy, English lessons, and GCE upgrade courses for parents and adults.

• Promoting better health through HIV/Aids testing and counselling, health workshops and training, education on a balanced diet, prevention of infections, farming, and home-based carers.

• Income generating activities (IGAs) for Tikondane staff to learn practical skills whilst developing an independent source of income for themselves and Tiko.

Tikondane promote traditional culture of caring for your neighbours and family, generosity and the vibrant drumming, singing and dancing of Zambia.

Volunteering details:

Duration: 2 weeks minimum

Cost: ZK 4000/week (equivalent to approx US$225/week, depending on exchange rates)

Includes 3 meals a day and accommodation at Tikondane.

The standard package includes all meals, but if volunteers stay longer and decide they prefer to self-cater, the price will be reduced for accommodation only.

NOT INCLUDED: Drinks, transfers, accommodation in Lusaka, and tourist activities

Longer stays:

The longer you stay, the more you will get out of your volunteering experience as you get to know people and make more of an impact on projects.

Getting Involved

There are plenty of ways for you to get involved – especially if any of these broad areas appeal:

1. Education

• Become a classroom assistant
• Support learning with smaller groups in English, Maths or Science
• Reading and story club
• Organise an art, music, drama or sports club workshop
• Help with adult education and English language learning
• Teach computer skills
• Work with the drama group

2. Health

• Visit home-based carers to learn what they do
• Attend a positive livers’ (AIDs patients) workshop
• Attend and assist with home-based care seminar or workshop
• Create new educational tools for school, home-based carers, HIV/AIDS centre
• Organise a workshop on nutrition or hygiene at Tikondane or in the village

3. Agriculture and permaculture activities:

• Learn to make (and then teach others) a:
• bag garden
• compost heap
• pigeon kraal
• mud stove
• Make a demo leaflet about permaculture for the Tiko crew and villagers
• Keep a volunteer garden patch as a permaculture model challenge. This could be passed onto future volunteers with a garden log to follow up from.
• Deliver a workshop or demonstration on permaculture as refresher training.

4. Lend a hand passing on the following skills to Tikondane’s income generating activities:

• Soap making
• Making peanut butter
• Weaving/Mat making
• Animal husbandry
• Mud stoves
• African drumming
• New dishes for the restaurant
• Computer training to interns

5. Marketing & Digital

• Maintainingtheir Facebook page
• Updating their website
• Exploring tourism marketing and advertising opportunities
• Researching CBO funding opportunities
• Applying for funding opportunities

6. Projects for volunteers to run independently (involving Tiko’s interns as much as possible):

• Plan and make a radio show with Tiko children
• Design and carry out research on a chosen topic or something that would help Tikondane to develop and better understand our community (such as malnutrition in young Katete children)
• Health/living conditions/attitudes to farming/permaculture/family planning
• Make some short films about Tiko life.

The Real Africa

You will experience life in a small, quiet rural town, similar as to how many people in Zambia live. You’ll get to spend time living and working with Zambians – an opportunity you probably won’t find in a city or typical gap year package. And there are activities and places to visit nearby and in the surrounding area!

• Katete market for local food
• Cultural safari to Kachipu village US$30 – walk round a Zambian village with a guide, have a vegetarian feast, and watch a traditional girls’ initiation dancing ceremony, Chinamwali.
• Depending on availability Gule wamkulu, the Nyau ghost dance is sometimes also performed in nearby villages. When dancing, the men are believed to be spirits with magical powers and no longer mortals. It’s an intriguing and invigorating insight into local culture and tradition.
• Bike ride with Tiko bikes
• Visit St Francis Hospital or Hike up Mphangwe mountain
• Walk to Chimbalu
• Katete nightclub – maybe not for everyone or every week but worth a visit for the experience!
• Film afternoon on Saturday and Sunday
• Trip to Msoro cathedral – worst road ever but an adventure to a cathedral built by the first missionaries in Zambia.
• South Luangwa National Park: Zambia’s premier wildlife park and one of the most scenic parks in Africa

Accommodation, Calls & Getting Online

Accommodation is in the lodge at the community centre. Rooms are simple twin or double rooms, most with ensuite bucket bath and toilet. Volunteers will have their own room unless they prefer to share. You can also go to a nearby village and spend the night with a family in a traditional hut.

Telephone: Consider buying a Zambian SIM card for your mobile if you’re here longer than a couple of weeks. They are very cheap, just remember to get your phone unlocked before you leave!

Internet: Tikondane helps you stay in touch with home by offering 2 hours a week free internet access to vounteers. There is a computer centre onsite where you can buy additional access. Remember this is Africa; it works, but sometimes it’s a bit wobbly!

For more information, including arrival and transfer info (with recommended accommodation in Lusaka) contact us.