Sending a shoutout to African Impact on this very special day as they celebrate 10 years of leadership and innovation in responsible volunteer travel!
In honor of their 10th anniversary, African Impact has launched an initiative called Beyond the Roots, where volunteers and staff will create 10 food gardens in different locations across Africa. These gardens will have long lasting impacts by continuing to provide fresh food for the community long into the future. And that’s not all… there are former African Impact volunteers and ambassadors such as myself that are creating their own food gardens in their communities and own backyards all over the world! See their locations in the photo below.
I was fortunate enough to volunteer on the teaching program in Livingstone, Zambia with African Impact in December 2013. My experience in Zambia exceeded my expectations by leaps and bounds, so it was a pleasure to create my own food garden right at home! Plus, having fresh fruits and veggies in my backyard is always a perk 🙂
I wish all the best to African Impact and look forward to many more years of changing lives across Africa, and of the volunteers around the globe! Happy 10th birthday!
6 Comments
Vicky
December 14, 2014 at 12:28 pmHi 🙂 I am Vicky and I am 18 years old! I am thinking of going to Zambia this summer with African Impact! I am really excited but my only concern is that I won’t be able to find many people of my age since I am not going with any friends! How old were you when you went and did u go with other friends? Thanks!
Marissa Sutera
December 14, 2014 at 12:44 pmHi Vicky! So glad to hear you are considering volunteering in Zambia! You certainly do not have to worry about finding people your age on the programs. I went with my sister, I was 22 and she was 19 at the time of the program. Most of the participants are on the younger end and we actually arrived on the same day as two other 18 year olds. Most people there are also traveling on their own. Regardless of age, I can guarantee you will make friends with other people on the program of all ages. When you are there, age really makes no difference and everyone tends to hang out with all varieties of age groups. Hope this helps! You can reach me at any time via email at msutera4@gmail.com if you have any other questions as you plan your trip!
Kate
July 23, 2014 at 12:49 pmThis is a wonderful idea and I love what you did with yours! I have always wanted to have a patch in my (future) garden to grow fruit & veg. I don’t think an apartment with a balcony would cut it right now!
Marissa Sutera
July 23, 2014 at 1:04 pmThanks Kate! You’d be surprised what you can grow on a small apartment balcony. Or inside the apartment! I’ve always had a lot of herbs growing in the previous apartments that I’ve lived in. Basil, parsley, and oregano are my favorites. You could even grow some chili peppers too if you like spicy!
Katie@From Shores to Skylines
July 21, 2014 at 5:02 pmI love gardening, I love traveling and I love volunteering – this program sounds great! Your garden is doing fantastic!
Marissa Sutera
July 21, 2014 at 6:17 pmThanks Katie, it’s the perfect combo! African Impact did a fantastic job with their Beyond the Roots project, it will be fun to see the benefits communities are still reaping from it down the road. If you’re ever looking for a volunteer program in Africa, their programs are always worth checking out!