Northumbria construction students take skills to Africa

This follows a successful trip in summer 2009, when three students from the School spent just over a month in the city of Lusaka, Zambia, renovating the sports facilities at Kabulonga High School for Girls. They worked with other students from universities – Bath, Durham, Loughborough, Stirling, and the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC) as part of the Wallace Group. The Wallace group is a partnership among the six universities which was established to work on and promote joint sports development projects that provide ‘added value’ to the students of the partner universities and to the communities in which they work.

The project involved the management of the construction of a sports facility for the School, the refurbishment of two tennis courts, mixed use volleyball and basketball court, other outdoor sports facilities and a changing room facility. As almost every child in Zambia participates in sport, either as a spectator or participant, these facilities provide a vital resource to them in terms of both health and social development.

The trip was set up through EduSport Zambia, a community-driven, non-governmental foundation, based in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. It was founded in 1999, and since then has been involved in tackling issues like HIV/AIDS, poverty alleviation, and child rights in underprivileged communities in Zambia. The Foundation uses the “Sport in the Development Process" approach, which endeavours to improve community education, development and empowerment.

The 2009 project was deemed a tremendous success.  Not only did it give Northumbria students a chance to gain some practical experience in delivering a much needed sports facility in a very different and difficult environment, but it also gave them an opportunity to understand the impact that construction activity can make in improving the lives of others.  

Kris Coulthard, a second year BSc Construction Management student said, “I can safely say it’s been one of the best experiences of my life.  I have made some fantastic friends and gained a mountain of knowledge and memories that will stay with me forever.”

Jade Wilson, BSc Architectural Technology programme added, “Zambia was such an amazing experience.  The project makes a massive difference to the lives of the local people and it makes it so worthwhile knowing that”.

The 2010 trip, which is being part funded by the University's Alumni Fund, will enable a new team of students to gain vital skills from this once-in-a-life-time experience. If you feel you would be able to contribute in any way to the next trip to Zambia, please contact David Beaney, Programme Leader, at david.beaney@northumbria.ac.uk