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Description
Ahoy there adventurers, explorers and seekers.
I'm Luke, a fellow Workawayer of 4 years. During my travels, I connected with many inspiring people and worked on some brilliant projects all over South East Asia and Africa. In 2023 I decided to slow down a bit and self build a home on the beautiful shores of Lake Malawi with my partner Jacqueline. The long-term plan is to create a space where people can come and reconnect with nature, slow down, relax, and heal.
** PLEASE READ THE FULL DESCRIPTION BEFORE SENDING A MESSAGE **
We are hoping to connect with people, are willing to share their knowledge / experience and help out on small-scale projects.
ABOUT LAKE MALAWI -
First off it's truly AMAZING and we are so grateful for being able to live here. It's the 4th largest freshwater Lake in the world and is home to the most species of lake fish anywhere on earth. It has crystal clear waters and it's quite warm, even in the winter. It's perfect for swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing and scuba diving.
** WHERE YOU'LL LIVE **
We have a 5m bell tent situated above the house with spectacular views over the lake. A double bed with mosquito net and an outside covered area where you can relax and cook.
There is no mains power supply here.
We use solar power banks for phones, laptops and lights. Water is pumped from the lake, treated then placed in a plastic container with a ceramic filter for drinking. Shared use of compost toilets / drop toilet and a cold water shower with spectacular views. The internet connection is quite good as I work online most days.
We have an open-plan kitchen with a large dining table where we may share meals together, gas hob and charcoal burners for cooking which you are welcome to use.
In your free time you can, relax in a hammock and play the guitar. You can borrow the kayak or paddleboard and explore the island a few hundred meters away. Try your luck beating me at chess, play monopoly, poker, hero quest and other games we have. We can also organise hikes and boat trips if you wish, depending on the length of your stay.
** FOOD ARANGEMENTS **
We will provide you with seasonal local food, plates and cuttlery etc: maize flour (nsima), beans, vegetable leaves, eggs, cooking oil and sweet potatoes.
A typical Malawian diet consists of sweet potatoes for breakfast, nsima and beans or eggs for both lunch and dinner. However, fish can be bought from the fishermen almost daily at your own expense.
Jacqueline will show you how to make the local dishes and then you will be expected to cook your own food. We will however, make the odd meal for everyone to share. General clenliness such a sweeping, washing dishes etc is shared and we would expect volunteers to help out with this.
We do strongly advise volunteers to bring some of their own food with them as eating a traditional malawian diet every day may not be suitable to everyones taste.
Things such as noodles, pasta, bread, condiments, sauces, crisps and sweets etc are not easily available in the local village. If you want these items they should be bought before coming to the house. They can be easily bought in Nkhatabay, Mzuzu or Karonga where there are large shops and supermarkets.
** HOW TO GET HERE **
Lilongwe is Malawis international airport, from here you'd make your way to Mzuzu, then Nkhata Bay, from Nkhata Bay to Usisya.
If you are already in the country;
The nearest port coming from the South > Nkhata Bay. Travel to Usisya town via the Ilala ferry or small boat. Leaves Nkhata Bay early Sunday morning around 1/2am.
The nearest port coming from the North > Karonga. Travel to Usisya town via the Ilala ferry or small boat.
Nearest City > Mzuzu. Take a motorbike trip over the lush mountains to Usisya town and then a short walk to the house. Around 28,000MK pp.
We will help you get here and often meet people in Usisya. We will also cover the cost of one person for the water transport either from Nkhata Bay or Karonga to Usisya town.
Blessed to live in this amazing paradise we must emphasise to Workawayers that our location is REMOTE. This exchange is not for the 'luxury traveller', people scared of bugs and wildlife or anyone who needs babysitting.
If you are looking for an off-grid experience, to reconnect with nature, enjoy a simple life and love water, you'll love it here! Reach out and tell us a bit about yourself and what you can offer in exchange.
Safe travels 🙏
Luke and Jacqueline.
SOME GOOD NEWS
*** On 7 February 2024, the Malawi Government announced visa exemptions for nationals of 79 countries. Nationals of these countries, which include Australia, Canada, Germany, Russia, the UK, and Member States of the Southern African Development Community and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, can now enter Malawi without a visa for up to 90 days for business and tourism purposes. ****
FREE entry if you're from one of the above countries 🙌
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Self development
Farming
Charity work
Culture
Plant care
Music
Gardening
Drawing & painting
DIY & crafts
Art & design
Nature
Mountain
Hiking
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You have the opportunity to experience authentic Malawian life, you'll meet village Chief and interact with the local community if you wish.
We can teach you the local language/s; Tambuka or Chichewa.
You can learn how to make traditional Malawian food and explore the medicinal plants/herbs people still use here.
You can experience a trip in a hand-made canoe with the local fishermen. (6000mk)
We can share stories around a camp fire under a blanket of stars while I try to play the guitar. Bonus points if you can sing 🙌
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We are hoping to connect with people who have the following skills/backgrounds;
Building / Eco-building
Landscaping / Gardening
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Chichewa, Chewa, Nyanja: Fluent
Accommodation
We have a 5m bell tent situated above the house on the mountain side with amazing views over Lake Malawi. There is a bouble bed with mosquito net and outside covered area where you can relax and cook.
Drinking water is treated and placed in a plastic container with a ceramic filter. We now have running water and a compost toilet. Yey!
We will provide you with local seasonal food: maize flour (nsima), beans, vegetable leaves (seasonal) and eggs.
A typical malawian diet consists of sweet potatoes for breakfast, nsima and beans or eggs for lunch and dinner.
Jacqueline will show you how to make the local dishes and then you will be expected to cook your own food, daily. We make the odd meals for everyone to share. We take turns cleaning dishes, sweeping etc and would expect volunteers to help out.
We strongly advise volunteers to bring some of their own food with them as eating a traditional malawian diet may not be suitable to everyones taste. Things such as, noodles, bread, pasta, condiments, sauces, crisps and sweets etc are not easily available in the village. These items should be bought in Nkhatabay, Mzuzu or Karonga where there are large shops and supermarkets before comming.
We have an open-plan kitchen with a large dining table, a gas hob and charcoal burners for cooking which you are welcome to use.
The sunrise and sunsets here are some of the best I've seen anywhere in the world, a photographers dream!
Relax in the hammock, play guitar, beat me at chess, borrow the kayak or paddleboard and explore the island a few hundred meters away. We can also organise hikes, boat trips and scuba diving if you wish, dependant of the length if your stay.
What else ...
There are beautiful hiking trails to explore as well as a completely untouched island a few hundred meters from the shore.
There are 2 established lodges a boat trip away you could visit. (Retrun boat trip around (40,000mk)
You can cruise the Lake on our Kayak, try standing up on the paddle board or snorkel with the hundreds of colourful fishies.
You can learn how to make cassava flour from and cook nsima.
Jacqueline can teach you how to make her beautiful Macramé crafts.
PADI-certified scuba diving is available in Nkhatabay.
We can also help you plan your adventures in and around Malawi.
Please note: If you require a 'western style diet' you should provide your own food. We only provide traditional local food to volunteers.
For your own safety all workawayers who wish to stay with us MUST have valid health insurance.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Yes. But please ensure you bring a solar power bank with you if you need to work online. Internet bundles are easily available and cost around 24,000mk ($15) for 65GB of data, monthly.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Feedback (1)
He helped us build a large compost bin which we are very greatful for. He helped lay some steps up to the house and worked on some… read more
I stayed with Luke and Jax for about 3 weeks and got to experience a small local fishing town and how big part the lake has in the daily life. The cultural experience you get here is nothing… read more
Photos
Feedback
He helped us build a large compost bin which we are very greatful for. He helped lay some steps up to the house and worked on some… read more
I stayed with Luke and Jax for about 3 weeks and got to experience a small local fishing town and how big part the lake has in the daily life. The cultural experience you get here is nothing… read more
