How can I use my skills to help Zambians bring about positive change?

I am using a one-year career break organised by Viatores Christi - an organisation which specialises in the recruitment, training and placement of skilled volunteers to help fight poverty, inequality, exploitation and injustice in the developing world - to volunteer as a development worker with Society of African Missions.

Where: Ndola, Zambia.

Why: The main focus of the SMA is vulnerable and marginalized communities and the Society aims to empower people in those communities.

How: In the role of Media Specialist I will assist the recently established SMA Media Centre in Ndola build local capacity in producing radio and video by:

- training local people of all ages, both lay and religious, in radio and TV production skills.

- In so doing help to address issues and injustices in education, health, welfare and traditional local problems (such as property/land grabbing from widows by the deceased husband’s family, etc,) so as to try to initiate change through awareness.

While my accommodation and food is being kindly provided by my SMA hosts I'm hoping that donors might be willing to contribute to my support and other expenses as I will not be earning a salary for the year.

Since launching this page I've had confirmation that some additional funding towards travel (cost of a return flight), insurance for one year, vaccination costs and a monthly allowance has been secured via Viatores Christi. I have consequently revised my target figure. Please be assured that any surplus donations/sponsorship will be donated directly to the work of the SMA in Zambia. While I may undertake personal travel or incur non-project related costs I will be doing so with my own savings and not using money donated through this page or other fundraising activities.

Thank you. Paul

When: From 03 October 2017.