From boardrooms to the bush: Livingstone volunteers return to Zambia for the 2025 program

At Livingstone, we believe success means more than closing deals: it means opening doors. Since 2014, through the Livingstone Foundation, we’ve been committed to building those doors in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley: funding schools, sponsoring students to enter secondary education, clean water initiatives, and community development projects in one of Africa’s most remote regions.

In 2023, we launched the Livingstone Volunteer Program, inviting employees to travel to Zambia and support students on the brink of life-changing transitions – from rural villages to universities and careers in the city, or into the workforce. The goal: to equip them with the soft skills they need to thrive – budgeting, public speaking, teamwork, and entrepreneurship.

Our volunteers partner with two of Zambia’s most impactful NGOs – Project Luangwa and Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust – to lead two-week training sessions with students aged 18-23. These sessions are practical, hands-on, and deeply empowering.

Inma Vidal (Valencia) and Felix Baust (Düsseldorf) were among our first volunteers, teaching everything from Excel to sustainable business. Their impact? Immediate and lasting.

“I wholeheartedly thank each volunteer who dedicates his or her time to mentor and guide our first-generation students: their experience and commitment are vital in helping them take the next step in their careers. Beyond conveying to them the importance of confidence, constant effort and discipline, these sessions allow the young people to truly connect with professionals who have traveled similar paths and understand that their aspirations are possible.

At the same time, those who participate as volunteers return with a deeper understanding of the needs of our community and the tangible impact of the work that, together with the Livingstone Foundation, we have been building for the past 10 years. Each time I visit our projects in Zambia, I return refreshed and inspired; I am confident that this year’s volunteers will share that same energy and return ready to continue to drive change.” Neil Collen, President of Livingstone Foundation.

This summer, we’re proud to send Mattia Verde (Italy) and Matilda Åberg (Sweden) to continue the mission. Over two weeks, they’ll work directly with students, witness the Foundation’s broader work, and experience the extraordinary landscape of South Luangwa National Park.

The Livingstone Volunteer Program is fully funded by the firm, and each participant is chosen based on their motivation, contribution to the cause, and commitment to Livingstone’s values.

Whether you’re teaching a class or learning from a community, the impact goes both ways. This is more than volunteering: it’s a journey that inspires, connects, and transforms.