OS Chloe Crace (BH, 22-24) writes to share her summer of volunteering ahead:

After leaving the College last summer, I began my undergraduate studies at the University of St Andrews. I have loved every moment so far and the opportunities that have come my way. The University’s sports department has provided me with one of the best opportunities yet: a chance to volunteer in Zambia for eight weeks, working to increase youth participation in sports and helping to develop local coaches. I applied for this programme just a few weeks into my university experience, never thinking I would be selected. To my surprise, I was! At that time, I had barely made five friends, and the thought of raising £2,500 for the trip felt overwhelming. However, with their support, I’ve gained confidence, and with just over a month to go, I’m now certain I can achieve my fundraising goal.  

About the Charity I’m Volunteering With

Volunteer Zambia is an international sports programme run by the Wallace Group, a partnership between leading UK universities. It collaborates with Sport in Action, a prominent Zambian sports NGO, to engage, educate, and empower young people through sport in both Zambia and the UK. In my role, I will serve as a Netball Development Officer.

The charity’s principal focus is sport development for young people through a long-term strategic partnership with Sport in Action. The universities within the Wallace Group are committed to establishing sustainable practices in international development and work in conjunction with Sport in Action, the Zambian government, and other sports stakeholders to support the implementation of Zambia’s sports strategy aimed at young people and community participation. 

 
What is my role in this?

While in Zambia, my role is to create opportunities for young Zambians to learn and develop new skills through leadership and organisational roles at the hub site. Students and staff work with Sport in Action to facilitate accredited workshops, courses, and qualifications to build greater capacity, and improve opportunities for young Zambians particularly in coaching and coach education, officiating, leadership, and wider sports volunteering.

Through the Volunteer Zambia project, the Wallace Group works with Sport in Action to support positive perceptions on women and girls in sport, helping to break down barriers, increase participation, oppose social injustices, and reduce violence against women and girls – a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world.

I am sharing this with you to raise awareness of this amazing charity as it is its 20th anniversary this year, celebrating the amazing work they do every day of the year.

If you’d like to learn more or have any questions, please get in touch. Additionally, if you’d like to support me in making this incredible opportunity possible, please consider donating via my fundraising page linked below. Any contribution will make a
difference!

https://saintsfunder.st-andrews.ac.uk/p/chloecrace/

This is the link to the project’s homepage:
https://www.volunteer-zambia.com