A UNIVERSITY student from Yarm has returned from a football coaching trip to Zambia with a new outlook on life.

Ben Gibbons, a BA Sport student at Durham University, spent six weeks in Zambian capital Lusaka on the Ideals UK Sport Zambia Project.

The aspiring PE teacher was based at the Fountain of Hope orphanage for boys, where he taught English, maths and music as well as some new football techniques.

He said the whole experience as part of a group of 14 visiting students left him humbled and with a fresh perspective on life after seeing the positive way in which Zambians cope with the most trying circumstances.

There are between 50 and 70 boys at the orphanage, which is all about empowerment through education and sport, and all of them are really happy even though they have no money and only one change of clothes, he said.

Silly things that I would normally let annoy me are pointless when you compare them to life over there.

Zambia might as well be a different planet, let alone a different country. Some of the people have nothing, but they are very friendly and happy.

There is a Zambian word kuichayila, which means when things get tough, stay calm and keep cool.

It sums up their way of life and Ill be definitely thinking about that from now on. It was really good, a great experience.

During his time in Africa Ben, 20, formed a strong bond working alongside two local peer leaders, Steven and Isaac, and saw his teams impress at annual sports competition the Wallace Tournament.

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How Ben’s adventure in Zambia proved to be a real eye-opener