African Impact
Founded in 2004, African Impact are ground facilitators of volunteering in Africa. We offer a wide range of both community & conservation projects & are specialists within the industry.
Upon arriving in Zambia, I was immediately thrusted into the best exposure and training in the medical field I had ever encountered as an American pre-medical student. I never expected to have opportunities to weigh babies, assist nurses with taking vitals and preparing vaccines, clean wounds from HIV fungal infections and leprosy, and even shadow doctors in a different country on the other side of the globe.
If you are searching for a way to gain exposure to healthcare, see clinical cases in real life, and find the confidence within that you can succeed as a doctor, a nurse, a physical therapist, etc., this program is for you!
I had never been to Zimbabwe before, just Kenya and Tanzania, so this was the first time I was going to Africa not knowing what to expect. When I arrived into the Bulawayo airport and later at Antelope Park, I was greeted with nothing but smiling faces. Immediately, I felt so welcomed and appreciated as a volunteer. As I was doing the conservation photography program and there were not many of us, I was worried that we would be very separated from the rest of the group. However, our activities included everything possible—lion walks, carriage rides, horseback rides, research drives, game drives, elephant herding astrophotography, and more! We also had the flexibility to do what we wanted to do, which was always a nice option.
The staff always made sure we were well taken care and that we were safe at all times. The African Impact, Antelope Park and ALERT staff were always willing to answer questions about the program, and I learned so much about lion conservation during my short two weeks during the program... I'm already planning my next African Impact trip!
I graduated college in the U.S. and was planning on starting work right after. But, I decided to pursue a dream of volunteering abroad. IT WAS THE BEST DECISION I EVER MADE... I chose African Impact because of their great reviews. But the reviews don't do it justice. From the moment I walked into the house, I felt like I was at home. The staff and other volunteers were extraordinarily welcoming. The best parts were obviously the projects. The kids are incredible and melted my heart everyday. When I tell people about my experience, I get a shiver down my body just thinking about how amazing the kids are. In addition, the program is really well run and you feel like you're making a true impact (it's not about just handing them toys and taking lots of pictures). The adults really appreciate our help and know that it is making an impact to improve their society.
Not only is volunteering incredible, but living in a house with all the volunteers is always a blast. From Monday Night Trivia to Events Night Thursdays to a random Movie Night with ice cream to crazy weekend adventures like shark cage diving, paragliding, a wine tour, countless hikes, and much more, there is always something to do in the house. The people here are incredible and you will without a doubt make more memories than you can imagine.
If you are even considering volunteering with African Impact, DO IT! And stay for as long as possible... I stayed for 10 weeks and wasn't ready to leave. Countless people during my stay extended there stay once they were there because they didn't want to leave. It may be scary to take the leap of faith and go to Africa. But, I promise you won't regret it!
