From the Pitch to the Falls: Volunteering Adventures
This is a guest blog written by volunteers Athena and Isabella.
Did we ever think a few years ago that we would find ourselves here in Livingstone, Zambia? No, but we are so glad we did. This has been an incredible experience, one we will never forget.
We had the opportunity to explore many aspects of the charity, including Mbali’s department, Media and Communications. Here, we helped conduct interviews that showcased the incredible talent within Play It Forward’s staff and captured photos and videos of the Play It Forward Queens and Play It Forward FC training sessions. This experience also took us to Lusaka for a weekend, where we watched the PIF Queens play against ZISD Football Club. Along with supporting the team, we had time to explore Zambia’s capital city. Mbali, a passionate and dedicated member of PIF, welcomed us warmly from the start. She helped us navigate Livingstone and Lusaka, always available to answer our questions and guide us along the way.
While working alongside Mbali, we also visited a rural village outside of Livingstone with another staff member, Mike, who is part of the project team and serves as the Livelihood Project Officer. We toured Katubya Community School and saw firsthand how PIF’s farming initiative has made a huge impact on the school and surrounding community, enabling them to grow their own food.
That same day, we were invited to play football with the kids and it was an intense but fun experience! They did not hold back, and by the end of it, we were absolutely exhausted. Running endlessly in the African sun as two British girls was no easy feat!
“Running endlessly in the African sun as two British girls was no easy feat! ”
Beyond media work, we also took part in tutoring sessions for students at Mulwani Primary and Secondary School, assisting Grade 12 and Grade 9 learners. Athena helped with English, while I (Isabella) assisted with Civics. It was a rewarding experience, and we even learned a few new things ourselves along the way. During our weekends, we explored the breathtaking Victoria Falls and even did the bridge swing. It was absolutely terrifying but ultimately exhilarating once we realized we had survived! To celebrate, we had dinner at the beautiful Lookout Café, which offers a stunning view of the Falls. There, we discovered a surprisingly new favorite dish, crocodile.
We also found some great restaurants near our accommodation, like Olga’s and Zest, which served a mix of traditional Zambian and Western food, which was perfect for when we weren’t feeling quite so adventurous. However, one of the biggest highlights of our time here was a river cruise on the Zambezi, where we spotted hippos, crocodiles, and giraffes. Seeing these incredible animals in the wild for the first time was truly unforgettable.
We’ve been exposed to new cultures, met wonderful people, and gained experiences that will stay with us forever. If you’re thinking of taking a gap year or traveling while giving back, we highly recommend Play It Forward. It’s a meaningful way to do both.
“Our time in Livingstone has been nothing short of amazing.”
Both of us will carry a piece of this journey in our hearts moving forward. Words can’t quite do our experience justice. Thank you, Play It Forward you have changed our hearts for good and opened our minds in more ways than one. We are forever grateful.
