Once in lifetime Zambian experience
A Strath woman who spent the summer living and working in Zambia is urging others to follow in her footsteps.
Ellen Pryde from Crieff went to Africa as a volunteer as part of Challenges Worldwide ICS ( International Citizen Service), a development programme led by Voluntary Service Overseas and funded by the UK Government.
It brings together young people to fight poverty in developing countries.
Working alongside volunteers from Africa, Ellen worked on a project to help small businesses succeed.
She told the Herald: “Spending three months living and working in Zambia was definitely a once in a lifetime experience.
“It’s also one that I couldn’t have had without ICS and Challenges Worldwide.
“This programme, funded by the Department for International Development, allows young people to contribute time and knowledge to small and medium enterprises throughout Africa, while getting back different cultural experiences from their African counterparts.
“This ultimately helps not only the developing countries to thrive and prosper over a longer, more sustainable time frame but also the young adults from both continents that gain valuable life skills.”
Before she went Ellen (24) raised £1277 through a Co-op bag pack, baking sales and her Just Giving online fundraising page – smashing her original £800 target.
She continued: “Everything is funded through the government and the small target amount of money you have to raise is to raise awareness for the programme and help fund an in-country volunteer.
“After raising over £1000 through the kind support of my local community, I was able to go to Zambia and help pass on that same community support.”
Ellen spent 12 weeks working alongside her Zambian counterpart, Joseph, in a lodge in central Kitwe.
She explained: “Through weekly meetings and guidance from many different support systems, we were able to analyse and implement recommendations for our business that will help them to grow and in turn help the local community grow, through future employment opportunities and economic growth. The latter is very important as it falls in line with the Global Goals that Challenges Worldwide are trying to tackle, along with ‘no poverty’ and ‘innovation and infrastructure’.
“The Global Goals were set out in September 2015 when 193 countries agreed to 17 goals for sustainable development throughout the world. These goals plan to tackle many different agendas, such as gender equality, sustainable living and an end to world hunger.”
Ellen also feels the experience has been of great benefit to herself.
She revealed: “Through my placement I gained a lot of different skills and have improved my employability. I feel much more confident speaking to large groups and presenting ideas, as well as being able to adapt to unfamiliar situations.
“My cultural awareness has also grown tremendously after being fully immersed in Zambian culture, living with a host family and travelling among the locals every day.
“I learned the similarities and differences between our two distant cultures and was so happy to find such warm, friendly hospitality from everyone who I came into contact with, whether that was my fantastic host family or just the people in the town who were interested in what we were doing.
“But mostly, this placement has shown me I can do anything I set my mind to.”
Ellen is now urging others to take part in the programme.
She stressed: “I didn’t have to go to university to do this placement, I didn’t need a certain amount of money to pay and I didn’t need any special qualifications.
“All you need to take part is a positive attitude and the willingness to help create change for the better. This programme is perfect if you’re not sure what your next move is, feel like a change in your career direction or if you’d like to do something special with your gap year.”
If you’re aged between 18 and 25 and are available for three months, then visit www. challengesworldwide.com to find out more information and apply.