Shetland to Zambia Gym Project

Cory Johnson and Mark Wylie’s visit to Zambia, as part of the Shetland to Zambia Gym Project, has come to an end after almost five weeks away in Africa. The pair from Shetland were in Livingstone, Zambia, helping under privileged children with gymnastics as well as other school work. This was made possible as part of a sports project run by African Impact. They were able to help children of all ages with the basics as well as progressing to skills such as walkovers, flips and somersaults. The sessions took place outside mainly on dirt areas or sand at both Nakatindi and Mwandi community schools. During the holiday club we walked through the large village of mud huts with a Dutch girl who was also a volunteer, she played her flute all the way and this let the children know it was time for holiday club. Over 100 children came running out of their homes and followed us back to the school!

African Impact helped construct two balance beams for us which consisted of a 5m plank of wood on top of building bricks. We played musical arabesque with some of our classes involving prizes for the winners. There was no power at the schools so we used my battery powered i-pod and speakers. The music was a rare treat and enjoyed so much by the children. 

At the end of term we were invited back to Nakitindi School one afternoon as representatives of African Impact for a fundraising event called a Braii. We met with the Mayor of Livingstone, various government ministers, the Head Teacher and local co-ordinators.  The school’s head teacher Mr Choongo mentioned in his speech about how well his pupils react to international influences brought by volunteers from African Impact, as well as their passions of sport and education they bring to the school. We discussed the future of gymnastics in Zambia with local coordinators and took steps to ensure that the teachers were able to help the children continue long after we had left.

Mark Wylie