Global Village – Malawi

Global Village - Malawi

Volunteer alongside vulnerable families in Malawi working to improve the place that they call home.

Trip Details:

Resources

FAQs

Volunteer Manual (PDF)

Fundraising Resources

Why volunteer in Malawi?

More than half, or 58.9 %, of the 4.8 million housing units in Malawi are substandard homes. Typically, these houses are made of mud walls and grass thatched roofs. To meet the current housing demand, an estimated 21,000 new units will have to be constructed annually in the next 10 years.

Anchored by the conviction that safe and affordable housing provides a path out of poverty, Habitat for Humanity Malawi has helped over 75,000 families to access decent housing. We work with vulnerable groups to build or improve the place they call home, improve water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, help families recover and rebuild following disasters, and provide informal vocational training. We also advocate for security of land tenure as well as sustainable and inclusive policies and systems that promote access to decent housing.

What will you do?

Whilst you are in Malawi, you can expect early starts so that work can begin before the sun is at it’s highest point.

You will build alongside the local community, local volunteers, and the homeowners themselves.

On site you could be fitting insulation, cutting down materials, digging and laying foundations, laying flooring, plastering new walls, and more.

Don’t worry if you don’t have any building experience. Full guidance will be provided during orientation, and you will be assisted by experienced masons and a Team Leader throughout the build.

Itinerary - Liable to Change on a Per Build Basis

Day 1 (usually Saturday): Arrive in country and transfer to accommodation

Day 2 (Sunday): Transfer to the guest house and volunteer on-site.

Day 3-7 (Monday-Friday): Volunteering on site and social learning exchange

Day 8 (Saturday): House Dedication Ceremony, Farewell Dinner, Transfer to Airport, and Departures

Remember to be flexible. Our itineraries can be changed to fit in with project needs at any time.

For me, it is so important to have a house that I can be proud to hand over to my children in the future. Fernando - Homeowner in Recife, Bra

My life has fundamentally changed for the better because of HFH, as have the lives of people we have helped. Livi Warnes, Volunteer Team Leader

Further Information

Safeguarding

All Habitat for Humanity entities that host international volunteers go through a rigorous vetting process every year to ensure...

Safeguarding

All Habitat for Humanity entities that host international volunteers go through a rigorous vetting process every year to ensure.that they are meeting all required health, safety, and security standards as set by Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI). This includes ensuring that the hotel is safe and secure, catering and restaurants meet hygiene standards, and that the situation on the ground is conducive to volunteers being able to perform their tasks in a safe environment.

Our Team Leaders are trained to constantly assess risks both on and off of the build site. They are also fully trained in how to seek assistance if the situation on the ground changes over the course of the build.The risk assessment for Global Village destinations is performed by the Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) Senior Specialist, Safety and Security.

Medical and Evacuation insurance is provided for volunteers in the case of injury, illness, or the need to leave the area or country due to factors out of Habitat for Humanity’s control.

Fundraising

Fundraising is as easy as telling your friends, family and co-workers about why you build with Habitat for Humanity...

Fundraising

Fundraising is as easy as telling your friends, family and co-workers about why you build with Habitat for Humanity. They may even ask to join the team!

We set you up with a great team page that you can connect to and build your own individual fundraising pages from.

When you register, you will receive a link to the fundraising team page so you can get set up.

The website is also full of useful resources to spread the word!

Accommodation

You will stay in accommodation near the volunteering site (this allows us to boost local jobs too!) Everyone will stay in twin rooms, sharing it with another team member.

Medical

We are not medical professionals, so before you travel please consult your GP or a travel clinic about the risks associated with your destination and what jabs you will need. The Fit for Travel website is a great starting point for identifying common risks such as malaria, zika, and other diseases.

Insurance

All volunteers will be covered for emergency medical care in country through our insurance policy with Chubb. The coverage period is for the build dates only and cannot be extended for personal travel. Please note that this is emergency medical and evacuation insurance only and does not cover personal items or flights, therefore it is worth considering supplemental travel insurance.

Meet the team

Coordinator

From the moment you sign up, to the time to arrive back home, a member of the Habitat for Humanity Great Britain team will be on hand to support you.

Team Leader

Your Team Leader will be in-country with you, supporting you throughout the Build. This means that they will be on hand to support you before, during, and after the Build, so please send them any questions that you have.

In-Country Team

The staff in country will be looking after you during your time in country alongside your Team Leader. From making sure that things run smoothly, to ensuring that you have aims for the day, they will be on hand to support you during the build.

Global Village – Malawi