LLC in Zambia

Two students and I travelled to Zambia with the Charity the Tag Rugby Development Trust (TRDT). 12 volunteers in total form the UK met up with 12 local volunteers made up of school teachers and coaches who work with other charities in Zambia.

Over the 3 weeks we worked in 24 government schools in Lusaka and Kitwe and introduced rugby to over 1200 children in this time. Some of these schools had classes of up 80 students and gave our students an eye opening experience and a chance to realise that we are very privileged in this country. We coached for 4 days in each school and on the 5th day arranged a tournament for the best players in each school it was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the skills that had been learnt.

Throughout the weeks the UK volunteers gave the local volunteers the coaching skills needed to continue the work after the tour had left the city. Evening and weekends were free time and the trust organised events for most evenings to keep everyone entertained, some of the highlights was a opportunity to play touch rugby against the local club in Kitwe, Diggers RFC (which the UK volunteers won convincingly) and to visit the British High Commission in Lusaka and spend an evening’s entertainment in their bar.

The whole tour was an opportunity to immerse ourselves in another culture and truly experience Zambian education, sport and lifestyle. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported our fundraising efforts this year, you contributed to a fantastic experience for the volunteers and the children in Zambia.

Aidan Botten
Sports Development Officer