Life in Malawi

Malawi is ‘real’ Africa. As you fly into Blantyre all you can see are thatched mud huts and dirt track roads. This is one of the poorest countries in the world, yet it is incredibly welcoming and friendly. Exporting only tobacco and coffee, and not a major tourist destination, Malawi offers the opportunity to see a developing country suffering from all the problems of Africa yet smiling in spite of this. The country is dominated by Lake Malawi, which offers the opportunity for water sports and camping at the weekend. It is also possible to organise trips further a field, both within the country and to its neighbours in the holidays.

The projects and the work

There are a variety of projects in Malawi. Two volunteers are based in an orphanage which houses street kids and are involved in the day to day care of the children as well as acting as role models. Two other volunteers do similar work in a small local orphanage on the outskirts of Blantyre. There are a number of rural development projects in the south of the country working with local organisations to provide education, health care and HIV/AIDs awareness activities through work in schools, feeding centres and with youth groups. There is also a primary teaching project on the shore of Lake Malawi.

What we are looking for

Volunteers with a love of children, a friendly outlook, patience and the ability to keep smiling at all times in this incredibly welcoming country at the ‘warm heart of Africa’.