Zambia Calling
This summer four University of Edinburgh students and a member of staff from Edinburgh University Sports Union will join volunteers from other Universities around the country to support sports development for young people in Zambia.
Formed in 2006, The Wallace Group partnership aims to make a difference to the lives of young Zambian people by empowering and enriching communities, through the power of sport, leadership and education. The University of Edinburgh joined the Wallace Group last year, and as such the 2019 cohort will be the first group of students from the University to be heading out to Zambia as part of the project.
The 2019 student cohort from the University of Edinburgh, Hugh Braidwood, Claire Cumming, Declan McLaughlin and Charlotte Smithson, supported by staff member Michael Webster, have spent the last 12 months preparing for their 6 week experience. As a group, the students have raised over £8,000 and completed a personal development journey to ensure they are equipped for all of the challenges that they will face during their time in Zambia.
‘It’s fantastic to be involved in a project such as this, where the impact on the communities that we deliver within is evident, and there is a real focus on making a sustained difference. The experience on offer exposes students to potentially life-changing challenges and opportunities. Following the work over the past 2 years, we cannot wait to get out there and represent the University.’
During the 6 weeks in Zambia, students will be delivering sport to young Zambians across the city of Lusaka, as well as upskilling and supporting leaders around coaching, officiating and leadership development. Delivery is focussed around 4 key sports – basketball, football, netball and volleyball – and will take place at 7 community hub sites across the city of Lusaka.
‘It’s been a long time coming and incredibly excited to be heading out to Zambia in mid-July! I feel like I’ve already learnt a huge deal and I can’t wait to join the group. Any opportunity to represent the University of Edinburgh is simply not to be missed and I’m excited to not only push my own boundaries but also inspire others to get more involved with sport and the qualities it has to offer’
You can keep up-to-date with the project and the volunteer’s experiences on the Edinburgh University Instagram (@UoESportsUnion)
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