Zambia Vision Build Trip

On September 29th, a group of 8 participants from Ireland, Canada, USA and Northern Ireland arrived in Livingstone, Zambia for a Vision/Build week. The first time they all met as a group was on the flight from Johannesburg, South Africa to Livingstone, Zambia.

They came to discover and observe the ministry of Open Schools Worldwide (OSWW) at the multiple sites where OSWW is teaching and serving marginalized children without access to school. However, they not only witnessed the projects in action, but were able to actively participate in the lessons as well, leading activities, crafts and teaching songs and dances.

In addition, part of the group spent several days building a double-stall toilet structure on the future site of a school that one of the Open Schools tutors, Jessy, is passionately developing to serve the children in their community.

Besides also getting to visit the nearby iconic Victoria Falls (that straddles the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe), on the final day the group was able to take in a Safari game drive and boat cruise in Botswana.

The week was a wonderful and eye-opening time for the group as they were exposed to the challenging life and environment that Open Schools Worldwide serves in. It not only introduced them to the ministry of Open Schools, but gave them the opportunity to get involved in practical ways, helping to make a difference. As well as significantly impacting their own perceptions, worldviews and appreciation of what they have been blessed with, it also served to be a great encouragement to the local facilitators, tutors and the children themselves.

All in all, it proved to be a very memorable and valuable trip for everyone involved.