The Wallace Group aims to support the development of long-term mutually beneficial relationships between the UK and Zambia, whilst enhancing leadership skills and sports specific developments for Zambian young people, leaders and organisations.

Zambia is one of the poorest countries in the world, with high rates of HIV/AIDS playing an exacerbating role. An overwhelming 1.2 million children are orphaned in Zambia due to AIDS in a population of just 17 million. However, harrowing statistics like these are improving with the support of a a global network of development and aid projects meaning life expectancy at birth has risen from under 50 to over 62 years old in just the last 12 years (United Nations).

Each summer the 7 universities of the Wallace Group team up to send students and staff members out to work in Zambia for 6 weeks, from the period of May-September. Working with Sport in Action, the student volunteers help to deliver development programmes to over 160,000 children each week. Using the unique power of sport, the Volunteer Zambia project is able to engage with hundreds of young people every week to help improve health, link with peer leaders to provide education on issues such as gender equality and HIV/AIDS, and increase the number of fun and safe recreational opportunities young people in Zambia have.

Students from the UK not only have a huge impact and make a positive difference to the lives of young people and local groups in Zambia, but they also return home as better global citizens and future Northumbria Graduates.

You can support the project by clicking 'donate' or texting 'ZAMB90 £5' to 70070.