Working with orphans in Zambia

19% of children (1.1 million) in the nation of Zambia are considered orphans.

The life expectancy of someone living in Zambia is 38.

These startling statistics are part of the reason why I am taking six months to volunteer in an Orphanage in Livingstone, Zambia. I depart on the 18th of April, 2016, shortly after my 18th birthday. I'm going with International Volunteer Head Quarters (IVHQ) a New Zealand organisation that is renowned for the work they do in under developed countries.

Here's a bit about what I'll be doing and why, taken from the IVHQ website:

"With a significant portion of children living under the poverty line in Zambia, many of these vulnerable children suffer from poor hygiene, inadequate education, insufficient food and little to no healthcare. Individualized attention and a focus on early development and education are crucial to breaking the cycle of poverty in Zambia. Volunteers on the Childcare project work in orphanages, childcare facilities for underprivileged children, nursery schools, or a special needs facility. Volunteer work is focused on mentoring, basic informal teaching, helping with homework, giving attention and affection, meals, cleaning, helping with the general running of the home/facility and interacting with the children through games, singing, dancing, sports and arts and crafts."

Overall, I need $11,000 to get to Zambia and cover basic expenses while over there. Its not going to be easy to get the money, but I know it will be worth it. If you would like to help me, then you would be positively impacting the lives of these children in Zambia.