This year’s group of Africa Hope Fund volunteers is preparing to set off on their trip to Zambia next month, where they’ll have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help in libraries and work with students in the rural village of Mfuwe in the South Luangwa Valley. The trip also includes breathtaking game drives and plenty of time to build new friendships over cocktails and sunsets.

There is a lot of excitement and a bit of unknown for those who are getting ready to go for the first time or are thinking about going in the future. To give a better glimpse into the experience, we spoke with volunteer Kathy McCandless, who went to Zambia with Africa Hope Fund in June of 2019.

Q: What were your first impressions when you arrived in Zambia?

A: Right away we felt at home there. We had been to Zambia once before for a safari, and it was really nice to return to the Morello lodge where we’d stayed before.

Once we were in the libraries, I noticed how well-trained the reading assistants were thanks to Africa Hope Fund board member Debby Lott and Jenny Waterhouse from Raise-a-Smile.

Q: Tell us more about the time you spent volunteering in the libraries:

A: I think the first thing that hit me was the sheer joy in the children’s faces and their eyes. The excitement of learning and coming to school every day. It was very refreshing to me to see that because they absolutely love school and they love their teachers, and it’s such a special thing to them and it was really inspiring to see.

We went to help children read and assist them with special units, like a solar system art project. Sometimes they just had us break up into groups and do whatever the library assistant had planned for that day. We reenacted a book one day in play form, so there was lots of activity.

Q: What parts of the experience stood out to you?

A: The kids and the library assistants are all hungry to learn together. I noticed every day there was so much energy. Of course the new friendships we made through the volunteers － there were 12 of us － and I already knew several, but I got to know many more and they were all really special people. We still stay in touch, some of us.

Q: Do you have any advice for first-time volunteers?

A: Just come ready to experience the joy of helping children in Zambia! And bring along things to donate － white board markers, little dictionaries and other supplies are so helpful.