RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
Nomad is particularly committed to preserving wildlife and the environment and supporting the local community through tourism development. Our base in Zambia has enabled us to develop meaningful links with the local community and consequently our tourist activities have a real and lasting positive impact on those who live locally.
TWABUKA COMMUNITY SCHOOL
In the summer of 2010 we worked, for the fourth time, with pupils and staff from The Coopers' and Company Coborn School, UK. Nomad organised and guided a tailor made tour of Namibia, Botswana and Zambia for thirty five members of the school, ending in Livingstone. The Essex school had raised funds to build a new pre-school, the third phase of school building in the Sinde area. Whilst in Zambia they spent ten days painting and decorating the pre-school, making furniture and forging links with the children and the community.
When we first visited the old village school in 2005 there were 27 pupils who were taught in a mud hut, but by January 2011 the school numbers were almost 200 and the pre-school had enrolled almost 80. The pre-school has a classroom, medical room and play area whilst the main school now consists of five classrooms and a kitchen and dining area, so that the school can receive food aid and provide all children with a daily cooked meal. The school is serviced by a total of four toilet blocks.
A further development is the Iji (egg) project, an income generating initiative which also teaches small business skills. The current 140 chickens will soon be increased to 200, supplying the local villages and lodges with fresh eggs.
Many of our clients have visited the school and have donated funds. We would like to thank all of those who have contributed for their interest and kindness. All the money donated goes directly to the projects; staff at Nomad give their time free of charge in order to realise these initiatives. This work has been described as one of the most significant developments ever undertaken in the Sinde area of Livingstone.
Community volunteer work and fundraising if you would like to get involved with Twabuka School whilst you are in Africa, or on your return, we are happy to organise this. You might wish to spend anything from a day to a month helping the staff at the school, or you might be able to help with organisation, administration or fundraising for one of the following initiatives when you get home:
- Establishing a sponsorship programme for pupils and staff
- Developing the school web site
- Raising funds to equip the school, particularly solar power
- Developing the curriculum through additional activities
- Establishing a medical post at the Pre-school
Please note that all volunteer work has to be completely financially self supporting and we can give you an estimation of the costs involved. If you are involved in an extended stay and volunteer work we can provide you with reasonably priced self catering accommodation.
WILDLIFE VOLUNTEER WORK
If you would like a more in depth interaction with wildlife we are able to organise work placements in association with Lion Encounter.
These placements vary in their length:
Short term volunteering can be from half a day to 7 days. It is not residential but reasonably priced self catering accommodation is available at Bushbuck River House (extra to the cost).
Long term volunteering can be 14 days or 28 days and is residential with all meals included. Activities might include lion walks, meat preparation, enclosure cleaning, snare sweeps, cub sitting or cub descriptions, conservation education, health education, elephant research and wildlife conflict mitigation.
As a volunteer you must be prepared to undertake all types of work, some of it dirty and mundane. You must also have comprehensive medical and accident insurance that will cover this type of activity.
EDUCATIONAL TOURS
Have been a part of Nomad's portfolio over the years. These have involved both large scale trips for schools and smaller more intimate tours for The Open University Geology Society and for birding groups. If you are part of a club, society or educational establishment and would like a specialist tour organising, to encompass your particular interests, please contact us for a quote.