What does the project do?
Our partner in Zambia has extensive experience in offering structured placements for volunteers who are able to make a positive contribution to these projects, which are run in partnership with local communities alongside conservation efforts. One of the main aims of this project is to assist Livingstone communities in creating and using innovative and eco-friendly community spaces.
Recycling what would otherwise be rubbish and put into landfill and using it as building material means that there is less contamination in the land and waterways, healthier people and a cleaner and more attractive environment in which to live. Faced with few alternatives, many families and communities have no option but to burn their rubbish and plastic, which has a detrimental impact on human health and the environment. Providing people with an alternative use for their waste reduces the problem.
There are also several other build projects around the community that are supervised by local engineers and builders including compost bins, water storage facilities, benches, flowerbeds, chicken coops, pumphouses and classrooms. The project also aims to help communities to set up sustainable farming programmes and to provide assistance in preparing the land and maintaining crops, including building poultry houses and other facilities for income generating programmes.
What will I be doing?
Eco-brick making is an important aspect of this project and volunteers will make them by stuffing plastic bottles collected from the community wih articles including cellophane, chip packets, sweet wrappers, plastic bags and anything else that can’t easily be recycled. The eco-bricks will then be used for whatever build project is the priority during your time there.You may also assist in community litter picks during which you will collect rubbish to help make eco-bricks.
Generally, however, the work you carry out during your time on the project will depend on the current needs and priorities of the community. You may help to refurbish an old playground, paint a classroom or build a chicken coop, compost bin or park bench. Other work may involve mixing cement, making and laying bricks, laying concrete floors, plastering walls and painting or refurbishing existing structures. Raising awareness about the benefits of recycling and how to do it is also very important and you may have the chance to assist with workshops to help improve communty understanding of recycling and upcycling.