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LearnServe Zambia

 

In a Zambian Classroom

 

Zambia is a remarkable country. Among the poorest of world nations, over 70% of Zambians live in poverty, earning a per-capita annual income of $395. A landlocked country in southern Africa, it shares one of the wonders of the world, Victoria Falls, with Zimbabwe and Botswana. Yet, it is a country of hope: politically stable, a welcoming people, and programs that are making a difference. Next summer Learn Serve Zambia (LSZ) participants will help create sustainable change.

LSZ focuses on the AIDS crisis in Africa and why it impacts all of the world’s people. Learn from organizations about solutions that work and return with a plan of your own. In 2009, LearnServe Zambia worked with:

  • World Bicycle Relief building and bringing bicycles to health care workers serving HIV/AIDS victims in rural Zambia.
  • David Kaunda Technical High School, a leading public school where student leaders are bringing AIDS to the attention of the Zambia people
  • The Malambo Basic School, a rural school with limited resources but with a desire to raise its children from poverty to independence
  • PlayPumps, an international organization providing access to clean water to communities suffering from severe health problems

 

Zambia Map

Map of Zambia

 

Students and teachers will live and travel together, staying in clean, safe guest houses and hotels. Travel will be in modern vans and buses with licensed drivers. In addition to working on the above projects and if the budget permits, LSZ will have the opportunity to spend some time seeing the sights of Zambia!

The leader of LearnServe Zambia is Elizabeth Drew. A teacher at the SEED Public Charter School, Elizabeth led LSZ since 2007 and has traveled extensively in Africa and served in the Peace Corps in South Africa.

Quotes:

Information is not action. And action is what we need!

Julie, teacher at Wilson Senior High School

That was an amazing experience!!!!!!!!!!

Adam, student at Hyde Public Charter School

The students at David Kaunda have left me with the drive to help others that I have never felt before, and also with a desire to bring a part of Zambia back with me by incorporating the spirit into my personal relationships.

Susannah, student at Maret School

Schools interested in participating in LSZ should read the conditions for participation.

The tentative schedule is to travel to Zambia from June 25 to July 15, 2010. Depending on the interest, there could be a second group, traveling to Zambia from June 21 to July 10, 2010.

All training will probably happen at Sidwell Friends School (upper campus), 3825 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016 from 3–6:30 PM on the following Sunday afternoons unless noted:

  • February 24 (teachers only) 6.15-8.30 PM
  • March 14 (teachers, students, and parents)
  • April 18 (teachers and students)
  • May 23 (teachers and students)
  • June 13 Send off reception (All LearnServe Trip travelers and guests)

Post Trip meeting: There will be a post–trip meeting of all LearnServe Trips teams on Sunday, September 18, 2010, to review the trip and create action plans. Location TBD.

Cost of the trip: $4,200 (not including passport, visa fees, or inoculations). Any school or participant unable to cover the full cost of the program should contact Hugh Riddleberger by email or phone at (202) 365-2890.

For more information or to get involved, contact trips@learn-serve.org.

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