Muli shani! Welcome to Zambia.
Building global partnership with educators and students at Hope School in Zambia
Zambia Impact Travel
Travel with us to Zambia where you will share teaching methods and help develop connections between students in the United States and at Hope Community School. It only takes one trip to Zambia to become part of the Hope family, drawn in by the energetic singing and dancing and the obvious joy.
This trip is an excellent choice for any traveler looking to get a hands-on experience with our partners in Zambia. The trip is also especially well suited for educators as Spark Ventures plans to create partnerships between educators and classrooms in the United States with each of the primary grades at Hope, improving educational opportunities as well as encouraging understanding and bonds of friendship across the world.
Itinerary
On the Zambia Impact Travel Experience, you will take part in meaningful engagement with community leaders while experiencing the sights, sounds, and flavors of Zambia (plus an afternoon in neighboring Botswana). You will spend significant time immersed in the Hope classrooms, facilitating educational activities and collaborating with the teachers. You will also visit critical local institutions to give more context to daily life in Twapia, Zambia. Our expertly curated adventure will introduce you to unique cultural highlights, historical insights & natural wonders while you enjoy accommodations in boutique hotels with exceptional meals.
Here’s a more detailed picture of what you can expect each day of the journey:
DAY 1
ARRIVE & SETTLE
Spark staff will greet you at Ndola International Airport (NLA). From there, travel in a private bus to check-in to your boutique accommodations. Settle in and then gather as a group for a relaxed welcome reception. Get to know your fellow travelers over dinner at your hotel.
DAY 2
CONNECT & MEET
Begin today with a tour of Hope Community School, our local partner. Learn about their origin story and their impressive trajectory of growth. The tour culminates with a lively welcome program with cultural dancing and performances by the students. Conduct a workshop with the teachers, sharing teaching methods and planning for the days ahead. Tonight leaders from Hope host you for dinner in their home.
DAY 3
IMPACT & LEARN
Begin the first full day of Hope School classroom programming. After school lets out, visit a local market to get a deeper sense of the daily life in this community. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
DAY 4
IMMERSE & DEEPEN IMPACT
Continue engaging with Hope School classroom programming. After school lets out, visit the Hope Farm – a vegetable farm that helps support the meal program at Hope School, along with providing local employment.
DAY 5
WONDER & WANDER
Continue Hope School classroom programming. After school lets out, visit a local market. Zambia is filled with stunning artisan crafts – fill your suitcase for your return home with vibrant local fabric called chitenge or hand-crafted wooden spoons, bowls and baskets. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
DAY 6
DIG-IN & CELEBRATE
Today, you will visit the home of a Hope School student and say goodbye to our new friends. Begin the day by traveling to the home of one of the children benefited by Hope Community School and learn more about their story of transformation and impact. Join the student along their walk through their village to school. We will also have a dedicated time for additional conversation with the incredible Hope teachers you have partnered with throughout the week. Head back to Hope House for dinner.
DAY 7
TRAVEL & TOAST
Today we will fly from Ndola to Lusaka and then Livingstone and enjoy a dinner cruise on the Zambezi River.
DAY 8
EXPLORE & RELAX
Today you have a chance to participate in some optional excursions and see the beauty of Zambia. One of them is a visit to Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world!
DAY 9
ADVENTURE & ENJOY
We’ll continue to see the beauty of Southern Africa with a full-day land and boat safari at Chobe National Park in Botswana. Get ready to see the amazing wildlife of the region (you never know which animals will come out for us)!
DAY 10
DEPART & REFLECT
Today is the end of our journey together. We will be sharing everyone’s emails after you return back home so you can keep in touch, plan a meetup, and keep sharing your thoughts as you reflect back on the journey.
→ Learn more about our incredible local partner, Hope Community School here.
Questions? We have answers for you on our FAQ Page. Or, reach out to Martha Vargas at mvargas@sparkventures.org or by calling (915) 929-1870.
Testimonials of Impact
“On our first day at Hope, Ba Charles gave us a tour and it was evident that Hope is accomplishing a great deal through their partnership with Spark. There is a strong passion and commitment to do the best they possibly can to serve and educate the children and families in their community. The strides that they have already made, and their unwavering commitment to continue investing in the education of their children is impressive. We know that education is a form of sustainability; that it will create opportunities for each of these children, and the community at large, to stand on their own two feet and provide hope to a brighter future.”
Alyson Marguerat
Former Director, Lincoln Park Preschool & Kindergarten
“The relationship between Spark Ventures and Hope School is based on the values of social justice and equity – two inter-related visions for the common good. The visiting teachers are a wonderful part of that relationship. They truly help elevate our work with the children. As the African proverb states, it takes the whole village to raise a child. This is very true. Only that in this case it is a global village.”
Chimfwembe Ngoma
Head Teacher, Hope Community School
Ready to join us on an unforgettable journey?
Register for one of our upcoming trips today!
2024 Zambia 10-Day Impact Travel Experience
July 14-23, 2024
Double Occupancy $4,950
Single Occupancy $5,590
Please note trip fees cover in-country travel only. International air travel is not included in the trip fee and should not be booked until the trip is confirmed by a Spark Ventures representative.
Register for our July 2024 Trip