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Excellent 4.88rating (8)

Assistant in Education Initiative

location
4 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 20 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Experience the Chewa way of life, afternoon siestas of course included
  • Immerse yourself in our cultural traditions
  • In your spare time you can join activities such as drumming, cooking, soap making and weaving.

Highlights

  • Experience the Chewa way of life, afternoon siestas of course included
  • Immerse yourself in our cultural traditions
  • In your spare time you can join activities such as drumming, cooking, soap making and weaving.
  • You can climb our mountain, get on a biking tour or visit the local market in Katete
  • You can go to a short vacation into nearby South Luangwa National Park. There you go an a safari and see the Big Five. Tiko volunteers get a discount

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 20+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+
    Wheel Chairs

    About the program

    Education initiative volunteers will assist in pre-primary and secondary education initiatives that support over 100 students!

    The project

    Our mission is to fight poverty in Katete through better education, health and entrepreneurship; helping people to help themselves while maintaining their traditional values. 

    Tiko has had an early childhood education centre since 2008 with some 80 children and has helped set up another ...

    About the program

    The project

    Our mission is to fight poverty in Katete through better education, health and entrepreneurship; helping people to help themselves while maintaining their traditional values. 

    Tiko has had an early childhood education centre since 2008 with some 80 children and has helped set up another four in the villages. A secondary school is opening in 2018 with grades 8 and 10 and vocational options for agriculture, carpentry and metal work. There is also an unending amount of informal teaching to do. 

    Volunteer work

    Education volunteers can work with the pre-primary or secondary education students. Volunteers will assist with lessons including reading, maths, English, and computer skills. We encourage volunteers to also make educational aids for students and keep doing mental arithmetic. There are also extra curricular activities like cooking, sports and traditional dancing. The children in pre-primary will capture your heart. 

    The laboratory may be of particular interest for any volunteer. 

    How it works

    The individual activities are tailored to the skills and interests of the volunteers. We encourage volunteers to pick one of the education projects or a combination of projects. Volunteers can also suggest a program to add to that area of concentration if the inspiration should strike them. Each project does have a different schedule and can also depend so much on the day, the season, what holidays are happening, community events like a headman initiation, how many funerals are going on, etc. It is almost impossible to dictate a typical day because there isn't one. Usually, volunteers establish their own routine

    The location

    Volunteers will be living at Tiko Lodge which is part of Tikondane Community Centre. They will be able to go into the villages nearby and host seminars at Tiko. You will quickly become part of the Tiko family and community.

    Who we are looking for

    Volunteers should be open minded, caring, and have a sense of humor. People in Katete are especially nice and volunteers can expect support from the Tiko crew and Elke, Tiko’s director. No special equipment is required; just a lot of patience in the knowledge that changing mindsets is a multi generational job.

    We are looking forward to you joining the Tiko family. Zikomo!


    Typical day

    A typical day at Tikodane depends on the volunteer and the project. Most volunteers work Monday to Friday during the hours of 08:00 to 16:30. However, volunteers decide what schedule is best for their project. In the rainy season for instance they get two days off to work in their own fields. There ...

    Typical day

    A typical day at Tikodane depends on the volunteer and the project. Most volunteers work Monday to Friday during the hours of 08:00 to 16:30. However, volunteers decide what schedule is best for their project. In the rainy season for instance they get two days off to work in their own fields. There is a management committee meeting every Monday and intern meeting every Wednesday. Volunteers will be welfared with an afternoon party and we'll go along for cultural safari's when there are tourists. It helps to be used to go by bike, otherwise a bike taxi might do the trick to go to the villages. It gets dark at 18:00 but it's always nice to sit on the verandah to eat African food from the restaurant, but self catering is possible.  


    Free-time activities

    Free time and entertainment

    Katete is a quiet town so you won’t be out partying every night. However, you experience life in a small rural area as many people in Zambia live and get to spend time working with Zambians that you probably won’t find in a city or typical gap year package. There are ...

    Free-time activities

    Free time and entertainment

    Katete is a quiet town so you won’t be out partying every night. However, you experience life in a small rural area as many people in Zambia live and get to spend time working with Zambians that you probably won’t find in a city or typical gap year package. There are activities and places to visit nearby and in the surrounding area:

    • Katete market for local food
    • Cultural safari to Kachipu village – A local friend gives an in-depth tour of a Zambian village followed by a vegetarian feast, travelling via oxcart. Gulewamkulu, the Nyau ghost dance, is performed in villages for the whole night. It is recognized by UNESCO in 2005. When dancing, the men are believed to be spirits with magical powers and no longer mortals.The corresponding female dance is called Cinamwali and is practiced every Friday at Tiko - you may want to learn it!  Both give an intriguing and invigorating insight into local culture and tradition. 
    • Bike ride with Tiko bikes
    • Visit St Francis Hospital
    • Hike up Mphangwe mountain
    • Katete nightclub – maybe not for everyone or every week but worth a visit for the experience!
    • Film afternoon on Saturday and Sunda
    • Trip to Msoro cathedral – worst road ever but an adventure to a cathedral build by the first missionaries arriving in Zambia.
    • South Luangwa National Park (3 hours) – You can take a taxi direct (US$ 90) or a bus (US$9). You can stay at Flatdogs Camp sleeping in a safari tent surrounded by elephants and hippos. This is one of the lower end luxury lodges and Tiko volunteers get a discount. Well worth it!


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 20 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 20 years old on the program start date.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (fluently)

    Education Requirements

    at High School, University level

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    work with young children work with mothers work with young people sports games arts - drawing, work with clay office work discussion groups laughter small business - costing gardening

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 07:30 - 16:30

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    This includes 3 meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and accommodation at Tiko.

    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  

    Accommodation

    Accommodation is in the lodge at the community centre. Rooms are simple twin or double rooms, most with ensuite toilet and bath. Volunteers will have their own room unless they prefer to share. You can also pick a dorm bed in our traditional African hut, albeit without toilet and bath

    Food & Beverages

    We include 3 meals a day at our wonderful restaurant. We are able to provide vegetarian meals. We serve traditional African food as well as some western options like spaghetti. Water is available from the tap and is safe to drink.

    Internet Access

    Limited access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Airport Pickup at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport

    An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka. We assist you to find cheap flights to Zambia. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Zambia provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Zambia you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Zambia. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    It takes around 6 hours to get to Tiko from Lusaka, so we recommend spending the night in Lusaka and setting off early at 06:00 – If you come with a later bus, you may have to wait for hours, until it is full.

    (Please contact us for information on getting here from Lilongwe, Malawi which is also around 6 hours away)

    Lusaka airport transfer: Taxis can be found outside the airport and cost around US$30 to the city.

    Lusaka accommodation: There are many backpacker hotels in Lusaka close to the busstation

    Lusaka to Tiko transfer:

    Bus to Tiko is US 17 one way from Lusaka Intercity Bus station and takes 6-7 hours.

    Taxi is US$ 280, if you want to be fetched from Katete.

    At the end of August there is a very impressive traditional ceremony taking place near Katete. For that you have to book early.

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program Fees

    $421 per week 4 - 12 weeks Age 20 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    4 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.


    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet

    4.88
    8 reviews

    Location


    Meet your project coordinator

    Elke
    8
    reviews
    4.88
    Excellent
    1999
    Founded

    Verified

      Very high response rate
    Spoken languages: French, German, English
    Travel safely by using Volunteer World for your communication and bookings. This way, you can benefit from the Flex Option, Refund Guarantee, and Resolution Support.

    You might also be interested in

    Contact Elke
      Very high response rate
    French, German, English

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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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