Student volunteers preparing for Zambia

All students and staff in involved in IDEALS Zambia 2010 met up in Durham last weekend. During a few sunny days at Collingwood College, everyone on the project got a chance to learn more about Zambia and the organisations involved, play Zambian games and get to know each other.

The induction started off with information sessions from UK Sport, EduSport and Sport In Action to provide a deeper understanding of the IDEALS project and its aims. The volunteers also participated in team building activities where they were given a chance to discuss their own aims and objectives within the group. Workshops included facts and figures about HIV/AIDS, and creating a group slogan and logo.

– I will have so much more to say about the project now, when we do fund raisers and things, said Joe Dale from University of Bath.

The sport practicals provided a clearer image of what the placement in Zambia is going to be like. Rob Vickers and Jon Boyle held sessions similar to the ones the volunteers will hold in Zambia, giving examples on how to use equipment and how to encourage the children. The coaching sessions, as well as parachute games and Zambian dances, highlighted how easy it can be to entertain and educate.

– You can have a lot of fun with nothing, said Tony Gillespie from University of Stirling.

The weekend also entailed a lot of socialising for the teams, including a night at the bowling arcade in Newcastle and a conference dinner at Collingwood College. This gave the volunteers a chance to bond within the group, as well as getting to know team leaders, staff and the visiting Zambians.

– I didn't expect it to be like this. I thought it would be a lot of training and not as much socialising, said Grace McCatty from University of Bath.

The volunteers will meet again at Heathrow airport on their way to Zambia. After this weekend, expectations are higher than ever before. The teams are convinced they will share a life changing experience together.

– I think it will highlight values in life, like the fact that relationships are more important than material things, said Olivia Robinson from UWIC.

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Boel Marcks von Würtemberg

University of Stirling