Supporting Local Schools

A basic education is one of the most precious things that a child can be given. When you hear about children in rural Zambia who cannot attend school because they cannot raise the 25p needed to provide the basic essentials of equipment demanded, you cannot just stand aside.

Fortunately many camps and lodges have put specific programmes into place to give support to specific schools in their area, and we encourage guests to try to add their own support to such worthwhile projects. In particular you may be able to pay a visit to the local school if this appeals to you – providing you with memories that may last longer than any game viewing. We appreciate that some people may be reluctant to make a cash donation, since they lack confidence that it will reach its intended recipients. However if you can find space in your luggage for such basics as pens, pencils, erasers and pencil sharpeners, educational posters or books of any kind (although the latter are heavy) then these will be gladly accepted. Just leave them with your camp manager.

Some specific schools projects include:

• The Kawaza Village Project - Kawaza Village is located close to the South Luangwa National Park, and many of the camps and lodges here will arrange a half-day visit to the village and its school. It is also possible to spend a night here – a totally different experience to what you will have encountered in your safari lodge, but one that may well be a life-changing experience for you. Their website is particularly well constructed, and will give you all the information that you could need.
• The Kapani School Project - The Kapani School Project was established in 1986 by Norman Carr Safaris. Its aim is to give an education to children who otherwise would not be able to go to school. It, too, is based in the South Luangwa area, and centres on the local Yosefe School, which receives no government support of any kind. The amount of progress that has been achieved here during the last 20 years is quite amazing, as the above website describes.
• Mugurameno Basic School Charitable Trust - MBCT is a UK-registered charity, specifically targeting the children and community of Mugurameno, which is located in the region of the Lower Zambezi National Park. This scheme is particularly supported by one of our favourite destinations in this National Park – Kasaka River Lodge – and is situated about 40 minutes by boat upstream from where they are situated, so that visits can easily be arranged whilst staying here.