Malawi Projects
The aim is to create a better understanding and awareness of common diseases and to pass on skills and knowledge that will enable these communities to become more self-sufficient.
This is a diverse medical volunteer and health care project with huge potential to improve the standard of primary care and support provided to rural communities in Malawi.
As a sports volunteer, you can make a real difference to the lives of local children. Teach in the morning and coach sports in the afternoon.
Make a genuine difference in the education and futures of local children, assisting the teachers in understaffed and under-resourced rural schools on the shores of Lake Malawi.
Volunteers on the Lake Malawi Child-Care and Development Volunteer Project provide much-needed support for the nursery teacher.
Malawi – The warm heart of Africa
Malawi really is the Warm Heart of Africa; the people are incredibly friendly, kind and welcoming. However, it is listed as one of the least developed countries in the world based on life expectancy, literacy, and standards of living. The average daily income is about 50p and that figure is not representative of the extreme poverty in more rural areas.
Malawi is possibly best known for Lake Malawi, described as ‘The Lake of Stars’, with its sparkling, crystal clear waters and golden sand beaches. At almost 30,000 km2 and reaching a depth of over 700m the lake comprises nearly 20 percent of Malawi’s total area and is more like an inland sea. It contains about 600 endemic species of fish and is reported to have a greater diversity of species than any other lake in the world.
The lake is also a lifeline for many rural communities, with numerous fishing villages dotting its shoreline. Approximately 40% of the dietary protein intake of Malawians is comprised of fish. However, this does not represent wealth for these communities, many of which are among the poorest in Malawi. There is a significant inequality in the distribution of wealth throughout the country and most of it is concentrated around the major cities, such as Blantyre and Lilongwe.
The extreme poverty in rural areas also results in a high incidence of diseases, such as malaria, HIV/AIDS and bilharzia. Access to primary health care and advice is often very limited for these communities and there is still a stigma attached to certain diseases, as well as unusual superstitions and traditional beliefs, regarding treatment and prevention.