VOLUNTEER WITH US IN MALAWI
Introduction
Building Futures in Malawi (BFM) is a registered charity that works with 7 different schools to support the provision of quality education in Malawi. It offers volunteer work to English speaking students and young people from all over the world to live and work in Malawi for 2-6 weeks.
The volunteering program offered is for those who wish to travel to Malawi for either education or tourism purposes. Our program enables the volunteer to learn more about Malawi’s culture, education, values and lifestyle. There is a wide range of activities that are offered to those individuals who wish to be a part of this incredible opportunity.
our program mission
We believe that this program contributes to achieving our mission which is;
- risk commercial Contributing to national development through the provision of support to schools
- Providing assistance to support staff through our programs
- Provision of school meals, lodgings and feeding the poor/destitute
- Raising funds in Malawi by engaging in low activities
During your visit, your safety is our priority. We ensure that our team members accompany volunteers at all times, supporting them with any volunteering projects they wish to get involved in.
Eligibility of our program
- 18-25 year old’s looking to experience what life and culture is like in a developing country.
- 18+ year old’s at university seeking a placement (teaching experience, childcare experience, medical experience etc.)
- Volunteers
Activities/itinerary
|
Activity |
Examples |
|
Education related activities |
Teaching placement, experience within schools, tutoring, mentoring, chalk making and science projects. |
|
Environmental related activities |
Tree planting, environmental groups schools can get involved in, wildlife trust, recycling and clean up initiatives and get involved with teaching new ways of improving the environment |
|
Go for girls project |
Training in sewing, self-empowerment activities |
|
Sports related activities
|
Work within schools, work with the youth in different local communities, work with local sports clubs providing trainings and playing matches. |
|
Janet House (Orphanage) |
Work with children doing different activities such as sewing, games, teaching and provide technical skills and resources to the orphanage |
Sites of Malawi
Those choosing to work with BMF are rewarded, all volunteers have the privilege of choosing to visit two of the beautiful places that Malawi has to offer detailed below;
- Waterfalls
- Lake Malawi (Home to over 700 species of tropical Cichlid fish)
- Museum
- Mulanje Mountain (3rd largest mountain in Africa)
- Scuba Diving
- Safari
- National Parks
- River cruises
cost
The starting price of our volunteering package for 2 weeks is £1,000. This covers the cost of all of the following benefits:
- Accommodation
- Transportation
- A planned itinerary
- 8 days of volunteering with us in and around the capital Lilongwe.
- 4 days of visiting the sites of Malawi.
Accommodation
Throughout your time in Malawi, you will have various accommodation options to choose from. Malawi has many beautiful lodges and hotels you can choose to stay at and also one has the option to live with members of the BFM team where you are provided with your own room in a clean and safe environment.
- Lodges
- Hotels
- With BFM staff
For a few nights during your time in Malawi, you may choose to stay with a host family located in one of the villages near one of the schools that BFM supports – The benefits of this would include:
- Being close to a school – making travel easy for those seeking a regular placement
- Stimulating the local economy
If this is something that you would like to experience, BFM would ensure that you are accompanied by a member of staff at all times.
Travel Cost
The cost for volunteering is £1,000 for 2 weeks. This price caters for all volunteering activities, accommodation, transportation and accompaniment during your stay in Malawi.
If you wish to stay more than two weeks, the cost would be £500 per week. This fee will help us to ensure that we can cover everything that you will need during your visit, described in section (6).
From our experience, the cheapest flights can be found using either Ethiopian or Kenya airways from Heathrow to Lilongwe. If booked at least 3 months in advance, a return flight tends to be between £700 and £950 per person.
Items to bring with
To ensure that your trip to Malawi goes as smoothly as possible, there are some items that we strongly recommend for you to bring such items are:
- Backpack
- Valid passport
- Mosquito net
- Mosquito repellant
- Appropriate footwear
- Sun cream
- If you are in a position to do so, you may wish to bring items that can be donated to schools, the orphanage or the local community. Items that would be of great benefit include:
- Footballs, netballs, table tennis equipment, basketballs
- Medical equipment
- School learning materials such as books, writing books and stationery
- Old clothes and shoes of any size
If this is something that you would like to do, please feel free to discuss this with us before you travel to Malawi.
Before travelling to Malawi
Before you travel to Malawi, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have received all of the recommended vaccinations. If possible, see the GP or visit a private travel clinic at least 8 weeks before you’re due to travel.
Some vaccines need to be given well in advance to allow your body to develop immunity and some vaccines involve a number of doses spread over several weeks or months.
Please see the links below for more information on the recommended vaccines and anti-malarial medication before your trip.
NaTHNaC – Malawi (travelhealthpro.org.uk)
https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/africa/malawi
Before your trip, it is also your responsibility to ensure that you have got the appropriate insurance, should you experience any unforeseen circumstances or need access to any medical assistance during your visit.
Time frame
This volunteer program is for 14 days (10 working days). If you wish to stay longer, we will consider that based on the activities that you wish to get involved in and any requirements that you may have for any qualifications that you are volunteering as a part of.
Why choose to volunteer with BFM?
Volunteering with BFM is a fantastic opportunity for anyone that would like to help make a genuine difference to the lives of many children, young adults and local Malawian people. It is a chance to share any expertise that you may have with BFM. We are based in Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi, making it the perfect location for those looking to get involved with any of the projects that we offer.
Reasons why you should choose to volunteer with us:
- We have been hosting friends from the UK and USA since 1993.
- You may be able to find your purpose through volunteering and becoming part of something greater than yourself.
- This program will help you feel connected to those you are helping in the community. This experience may make you want to get involved with other aspects of your community, such as any projects that you believe to be important.
4.This program is a great way to meet new friends as well as strengthen existing connections with friends, family or coworkers. As a volunteer, you’ll be interacting with local Malawian people from diverse backgrounds and a different culture, which will allow you to learn other perspectives.
5.The program will give you a chance to talk to new people and sharpen your social skills. By spending a lot of time working with others and using social skills, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your future personal and business relationships.
6.The training and hands-on experience you will gain while volunteering with us will help you learn new skills as well as build upon ones you already have. For example, you may gain valuable communication, public speaking and marketing skills which you can apply to other aspects of your working life.
Testimony
Owen at Mseche Community Day Secondary School after delivering a talk on his experiences of the English education system and the striking cultural differences between England and Malawi.
Owen Wiseman, 23 years old from England, UK:
“I couldn’t speak more highly of the BFM staff that accompanied me throughout my time in Malawi. I felt safe and well looked after from start to finish. It was clear that they made a conscious effort to put my interests above their own”.
“My experience in Malawi taught me that the impact that can be made in a developing country by those considered to be ‘average’ people in England is enormous for reasons I would have never imagined before I went. If ever I get the opportunity to volunteer with BFM for a second time, I would absolutely take it and would urge anyone else to do the same”.
If you have any questions or need any additional information on this volunteering opportunity, please do not hesitate to contact info@buildingfuturesinmalawi.org
