Livingstone Foundation Continues to Empower Zambian Youth Through 2024 Volunteering Program

The Livingstone Foundation, in collaboration with Livingstone Partners, has once again demonstrated its commitment to youth education and community development in Zambia with the second edition of its volunteering program. Building on the success of the previous year, the 2024 program saw Felix Baust, Associate from the Düsseldorf office of Livingstone Partners, travel to the Luangwa Valley to share valuable insights on entering the workforce and essential business skills with more than 30 young adults.

Since its inception in 2014, the Livingstone Foundation has been dedicated to supporting rural communities in Zambia through various education and health initiatives. Through its long-standing partnership with local NGOs – Projekt Luangwa and Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust – the Foundation has contributed to building school facilities, drilling boreholes, and providing educational materials. In 2018, the Foundation began sponsoring training courses aimed at supporting young adults aged 18 to 23 during their transition from secondary school to university or professional life.

As part of this ongoing support, the Foundation introduced a volunteer program in 2023. This initiative brings Livingstone Partners employees to Zambia to impart practical knowledge to students enrolled in the NGOs’ one-year training courses. The students on these programs are looking to undertake tertiary learning in a wide range of disciplines, from medical studies and accounting in Project Luangwa – currently expanding its facilities to accommodate 60 students – to environmental science and safari guiding in Project Chipembele, which presently hosts eleven participants. Despite their different areas of focus, both projects share a common mission: to equip young adults from very rural background with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in their respective fields.

This year’s volunteer, Felix Baust, provided a series of lessons for each project, covering topics such as ‘Job Interview Preparation,’ ‘Sustainable Business and Entrepreneurship,’ and ‘Advanced Excel Skills.’ During these interactive sessions, students applied what they learned through group work and prepared a pitch presentation for a sustainable business idea. The four most innovative and realistic groups were then selected to present their ideas to a panel comprising project representatives and Felix Baust himself. The students impressed the jury with their creative solutions to local challenges, including energy shortages and biodiversity loss, demonstrating both.

Reflecting on his experience, Felix Baust shared, “The volunteering program was a truly enriching experience – it gave me the opportunity to directly impact the local community by sharing practical insights needed in the transition to working life, while also learning about the local culture. The students were eager to learn, and it was remarkable to see how they applied the educational input, not only in the final competition but throughout the lessons. The aim was to provide a positive learning environment that broadens their technical skill base, enhances their understanding of the business world, and empowers them in their career pursuits. I am grateful for the opportunity to support Project Luangwa and Chipembele in their mission to build a more prosperous future for the local community through education.”

Overall, the volunteering program aligns seamlessly with the objectives of the Livingstone Foundation, enhancing the educational goals and professional guidance provided by Project Luangwa and Chipembele in the South Luangwa Valley. By equipping Zambia’s rural youth with essential life skills, the Foundation aims to create an empowered generation poised to become tomorrow’s changemakers, innovators, and leaders.