Hi, my name is Esme, and this summer I have the incredible opportunity to take part in a life-changing project in Lusaka, Zambia. A project designed to make a genuine and lasting impact on the lives of young people, especially young women and girls from some of the country’s most challenged communities.

I will be representing the University of Stirling as a Netball Development Officer, volunteering with the Wallace Group for 8 weeks, a partnership of eight UK Universities working together to support sustainable sport development in Zambia.

Each year, students and staff live and volunteer in Zambia for 16 weeks, working alongside the Zambian NGO, Sport In Action, to empower young people through the power of sport, leadership development and education.

Sport In Action, founded in 1998, is Zambia’s first sports NGO and remains at the heart of this project. Their work positively impacts thousands of children and young people - particularly orphans, vulnerable children, people living with HIV/AIDS, adolescent girls, and those with disabilities. Through community sport hub-sites, schools and teams, Sport In Action uses the power of sport to improve quality of life, build confidence, and create pathways to brighter futures.

During my placement, I will be working directly with Zambian partners, sharing knowledge, co-delivering sport programmes, and helping to upskill local leaders so the impact continues long after volunteers return home. By supporting community hub-sites, coaching sessions, leadership projects and wider development initiatives, I hope to play even a small part in creating sustainable and meaningful change in Zambia.

To take part in this project, each volunteer is required to fundraise £2,000 to cover the essential costs of travel, accommodation, necessary courses and qualifications, inductions, and UoS Sports kit. Any contribution, no matter the size, will help me get to Zambia and directly support the young people and communities we work with.

Over the coming months, I have a number of fundraising initiatives planned such as a bake sale, pub quiz, fitness challenges, fundraisers within my Netball Club and much more. 

Thank you so much for your generosity and for being part of this journey to empower young people across Zambia. Your support truly makes a difference.

For more information please visit:

https://www.volunteer-zambia.com

https://www.sport-in-action.com