Painting the school was my favorite moment - the joy it brought to the teachers and children. Best experience you’ll ever do. I’ll get more out of this than any other holiday experience. I have never been on a trip where I got so much personal joy.
Construction and Renovation Volunteer Project in Zambia - Livingstone
Love a good day’s work and want to be a Construction and Renovation volunteer in Zambia? International Volunteer HQ’s Construction and Renovation project is a great way for volunteers to make a meaningful difference in the lives of local people in Zambia. Volunteers gain construction experience while building, upgrading and improving vital infrastructure that allows the local community to provide more services that benefit the people who live there and the community as a whole.
Highlights:
- Programs start every first and third Monday of the month
- Affordable fees from £366 for 1 week
- Includes accommodation, meals, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
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Help with building, gardening and painting in community facilities
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Go on safari or adventure on the Zambezi
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Stay with other volunteers near the buzzing tourist town of Livingstone
Key information
This program is ideal for:
Volunteers who enjoy being outdoors, have a good level of fitness and are willing to learn and help out where needed. As you will be volunteering alongside our local team, you don’t need to have prior construction or renovation experience. Skilled labourers are highly sought after, so if you have experience please make a note in your application so the local team can make the most of your skills.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
When it comes to improving infrastructure in poor communities in Zambia, it can be hard to find enough workers to get jobs done efficiently. Volunteers are one of the more reliable sources of labour helping with construction and renovation of community centres, toilet facilities and schools around Livingstone. These vital buildings enable the community to provide support and services that improve the lives and futures of the people who live in the area.
Projects and volunteer roles will vary from community to community according to the need and project being completed at the time. You’ll assist as a volunteer builder, working alongside locals and helping with:
- Construction
- Maintenance
- Gardening
- Painting
- Plastering
- Making bricks
Why do Construction and Renovation volunteering in Livingstone with IVHQ?
As a volunteer builder in Zambia you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Upgrading and improving vital community facilities
- Being an important source of help for local builders
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining construction experience
- Immersing yourself in Zambia’s culture
- Discovering Africa’s incredible wildlife
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
- All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
- All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
- All volunteers must speak fluent English.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Apply For FreeNot sure which program to join?
Zambia photo gallery
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Elderly Care project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Medical project
IVHQ Elderly Care project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ volunteer orientation
Exploring Zambia on the weekend
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
GR
Gregory Rose
17 Apr 2023
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EB
Emma Birch
14 Apr 2023
There was no defining moment - the entire experience was just unreal. Just do it, it will change your entire outlook on life and make you a better more humble person.
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JP
Julian Paul
14 Apr 2023
It’s a life changing experience and I’d highly recommend it to everyone! It’s made me extremely grateful and appreciate life more.
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JB
Justine Batchelder
14 Apr 2023
This is truly a life changing experience. If you ever get the chance to volunteer abroad - I would highly recommend doing it. The amount of gratitude that was felt. It was truly life changing. We did everything with gratitude and felt that we were given back an enormous amount of gratitude.
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NM
Nathan McClellan
22 Mar 2023
All preparation steps where easy to follow, and if I had needed it then there was support available to help. I would have liked to take part in at least a little construction of an actual building. However I know with the time of year and planning of the projects, this may not always be possible. I felt that the accommodation in most situations exceeded the expectations I had before the trip. I love meeting a variety of amazing and like minded people from all over the world and interacting with locals in one of the nicest and most welcoming cultures I've ever experienced. It has further opened my eyes to the incredible experience that travelling can provide. Meeting new people and seeing new places make me more excited about what I can do next in life. Just sign up and do it. You'll make friends and memories that will stay with you for the rest of your life. It might be nerve racking at first, but you find your feet really quickly and feel like you belong.
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JM
Jonathan Mainville
30 Nov 2022
I had a wonderful time at the volunteer house, with my peers, and all the locals. The support team was amazing, very friendly and always there for you. The food was amazing! Always so much food. The accommodation was as I expected it to be in Africa - it cannot be compared to the standards in North America. My favorite moment was going out in town with the group of volunteers and experiencing the local culture. The biggest impact my volunteering trip had on me was understand other parts of the world, different cultures, food, way of living, the nature - just an overall great experience.
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To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course credit
Location
The IVHQ Zambia volunteer program is based in the laid-back tourist town of Livingstone, named after the famous colonial explorer who was thought to be the first European to see and name the nearby Victoria Falls. Set in the southern edge of Zambia, Livingstone borders Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls - the world’s biggest and most breathtaking waterfall. The area is lush with national parks, abundant wildlife and the Zambezi River which provides an exciting array of outdoor activities for adventurous volunteers.
Volunteer placements are located in Livingstone and surrounding rural areas. On the Rural Teaching project, volunteers are placed and accommodated in the Makumba village, which is located 40 miles from Livingstone.
Arrival and orientation
The program orientation begins on the first and third Monday of each month, and volunteers need to arrive in Livingstone on the Sunday before orientation. After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI) in Livingstone. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in Livingstone. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are travelling in Zambia prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Livingstone on the day before your program orientation.
Orientation is hosted by our Zambia team at the volunteer house in Livingstone. Orientation begins on the morning of your chosen start date and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Zambia – an introduction to Zambia, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising.
Volunteer schedule example
First Day
On your first day of volunteering (the day after your orientation), you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.
Weekdays - A typical volunteer day is as follows:
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast at the volunteer house |
| 8:00 AM | Volunteers travel to their placements to join local placement staff and begin work on their project. |
| 12:30 PM | Work at the placement usually ends for the day and volunteers return to the volunteer house for lunch. |
| 1:30 PM | After lunch, volunteers may spend their free time as they wish or if they are looking for extra volunteering hours, there are alternatives available such as working at a homework club. |
| 7:00 PM | Dinner at the volunteer house. |
Weekends
During the weekend, volunteers in Zambia have an endless list of activities to join. The area’s major attraction, Victoria Falls, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the largest waterfalls in the world. In addition to the wealth of nearby national parks, nature lovers have the opportunity to experience a range of safaris and tours in Zambia, as well as in other neighboring countries, such as Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Thrill seekers are also well catered to in Zambia, with an abundance of activities, such as bungee jumping, devil’s pool, white water rafting, abseiling, gorge swinging, zip-lining and microlight flights. Within Livingstone itself, a range of restaurants, curio markets and various cultural activities offer a lot to take in for those wish to stay around town.
Accommodation and WiFi
Volunteers are accommodated in a dormitory-style volunteer house, approximately 10 minutes from Livingstone town centre. You can expect to share a bedroom and bathroom with 2 to 5 other volunteers of the same gender. The volunteer house has electricity, running water, western bathrooms, and a communal lounge and garden area for relaxing and socializing. It is important to note that power cuts are common in Zambia in times of drought, which in turn affects the running water supply.
If you would like to keep connected during your stay, we recommend bringing an unlocked mobile phone and purchasing a local SIM card when you arrive in Zambia. The local team can assist you with purchasing a SIM card during your program orientation. You can also access WiFi from cafes and restaurants located within walking distance of the volunteer house.
Private rooms can be arranged at an additional cost (see upgrade options below) and are subject to availability. This can be arranged directly through the local team once you have registered for the program. Bed linens are provided and during the hot months, a sheet should be adequate cover in the evenings. During the cooler months, you may wish to bring a sleeping bag for an extra layer of warmth.
Volunteers are also asked to bring their own towels. The volunteer accommodation has a nighttime security guard and is located in a safe area protected by an electric fence. On-site staff clean the accommodation throughout the week, however volunteers are also required to keep their rooms and common areas tidy.
Upgrade to a private room with ensuite for the duration of your time on the program for only US$55 (approximately £46) per week. The local team have both double and twin rooms available, both with en suite bathrooms.
Extra nights of accommodation If you would like to arrive a day earlier than your recommended arrival date, or wish to spend a few extra nights after finishing your program, we can arrange extra nights of accommodation for you for US$35 (approximately £29) per person, per night, meals included, subject to availability. If you would like to arrange an upgrade or extra nights of accommodation, just contact your IVHQ Program Manager who will be happy to assist you.
Meals
Volunteers are served three meals per day, prepared by an on-site local cook. All meals will be a mix of western and traditional Zambian food.
Breakfast may include fruit, toast, spreads and cereal with tea, coffee and juice. Lunch is usually provided in the volunteer accommodation, although packed lunches of sandwiches and fruit are provided if requested for those who choose to remain at their placement. Dinners will commonly be a combination of meat, starches and vegetables.
The local staff are happy to accommodate special dietary requests (vegetarian, vegan, dairy free, gluten free etc). Please let an IVHQ staff member know of any special dietary requirements in advance, so we can ensure the local staff are prepared for you.
Volunteer accommodation
Typical volunteer living room
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer lunch
Typical volunteer dinner
Volunteers serving food
Pricing
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | £366 Equivalent to £52/day |
| 2 weeks | £534 Equivalent to £38/day |
| 3 weeks | £727 Equivalent to £35/day |
| 4 weeks | £878 Equivalent to £31/day |
| 5 weeks | £1037 Equivalent to £30/day |
| 6 weeks | £1189 Equivalent to £28/day |
| 8 weeks | £1491 Equivalent to £27/day |
| 10 weeks | £1793 Equivalent to £26/day |
| 12 weeks | £2095 Equivalent to £25/day |
| 16 weeks | £2699 Equivalent to £24/day |
- Accommodation
- Meals
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Airport pick-up
- Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Discounts on travel and tour add-ons
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately £277) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services. IVHQ fees are priced in USD but you may elect to pay in GBP.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Volunteers staying for longer than 4 weeks will need to budget an extra US$400 (approximately) to obtain a temporary work permit from Zambia Immigration in order to stay up to 90 days.
- Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check and return to the airport when your program finishes.
- Please note: Volunteers staying for longer than 4 weeks will need to budget an extra US$400 (subject to exchange rate) to obtain a temporary work permit from Zambian Immigration in order to stay up to 90 days.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Zambia generally find US$100 per week to be sufficient for expenses.
Free-time experiences & tours in Zambia
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with IVHQ's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Zambia! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Zambia program.
Chobe Camping Safari (2 days, 1 night)
A memorable 2 day safari experience at the Chobe National Park, Botswana, known for its huge elephant herds.
£308
Rhino Game Drive
Experience Mosi-Oa-Tunya guided game drives, home of most of Zambia’s white rhino population.
£109
Bungee Jump Victoria Falls
Enjoy a scenic bungee jump off the Victoria Falls Bridge, located in Mosi Otunya Park.
£151
Chobe Camping Safari (2 days, 1 night)
A memorable 2 day safari experience at the Chobe National Park, Botswana, known for its huge elephant herds.
£308
Rhino Game Drive
Experience Mosi-Oa-Tunya guided game drives, home of most of Zambia’s white rhino population.
£109
Bungee Jump Victoria Falls
Enjoy a scenic bungee jump off the Victoria Falls Bridge, located in Mosi Otunya Park.
£151
Check what's required to visit Zambia
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
| Capital | Lusaka |
| Population | 17.86 million |
| Languages | English, Nyanja, Lozi, Tonga |
| Currency | Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) |
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 |
Weather and climate
There are three seasons in Zambia: the dry season (mid-April to August), when temperatures drop at night, but the landscape is green and lush; the hot season (September to mid-November), when the best time to see wildlife as flora is sparse; and, the wet season (mid-November to mid-April), which is ideal for bird-watching.
