We need your help! Youth-led community projects in the mountains of Livingstonia, Malawi

Details

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  Description

  We are a youth -led community-based organization (CBO) operating in rural Livingstonia mountains of Rumphi district along the Eastery boarder of the Nyika National Park, in northern Malawi. Our projects are self-starter, which tap directly into the exact needs of our daily lives. We work to uplift our status-quo using local solutions. All our work is centred on building and strengthening rural projects
  
  Formed on 19th November 2020, we are happy to host volunteers who would love to help in the following projects:
  -Elderly companionship projects,
  -Fighting menstrual issues among adolescent girls in schools
  -Commmunity sustainable agricultural projects
  -Office work, data collection and analysis.
  -Community education .
  -Ending poverty by empowering the youths and women
  
  We value;
  • Determination
  • Passion
  • Hard work
  • Results
  • Self-motivation
  • Team spirit
  • Research
  
  STRATEGIC GOALS
  o Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda 2030)
  o Malawi Vision 2063
  o Malawi growth and development strategies (MGDS III)
  
  STARATEGIES
  CLIMATE ACTION AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
   To train communities in practices which will reduce the risk of environmental degradation and alterations in global temperature. Such practices include but not limited to the following tree planting, Disaster preparedness, charcoal briquettes, rocket stoves etc.
   To engage in advocacy on the need for biodiversity conservation, carbon emissions and the significance of carbon sinks.
   Advocate for the Polluter Pays Principle (PPP) and carbon tax.
  WATER, SANITATION AND HEALTH
   To empower local authorities to manage water resources using Integrated Water Resource Management approach and establish good monitoring systems;
   To improve the quality of surface and ground water and develop a system for pollution control by among others improving the skills, technologies and techniques in water quality monitoring and pollution control and by preventing use of substances and aquatic plants that can pollute water resources;
   To improve sustainable access to water supply and sanitation in our target areas by among others establishing water supply and sanitation systems using demand responsive and demand driven approaches, and the establishment of contingency water supply reserves and sanitation backups; Handwashing, toilets, water points etc.
  WOMEN AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
   To strengthen the capacity for effective co-ordination of alcohol policy implementation;
   Affirmative action to increase women and youth small and medium scale business in Phoka to reduce drinkers
   Break the cultural/traditional factors which create and perpetuate alcoholism among women and youths in Phoka.
   To engage women and youths in sporting activities such as cycling, soccer, netball, volleyball etc., inorder to trade off with alcohol.
   To turn negative effects of low income levels in Phoka communities by influencing technical, vocational and entrepreneurship education for women and youth at Mbulunji community college.
   To encourage technologies for processing and adding value to agricultural products largely farmed in Phoka such as: pineapples, honey, bananas, coffee, sugarcane etc.
   To increase awareness and carry out activities which promote Sexual and Reproductive Health among the adolescents to avoid early pregnancies.
   To promote education and training which will target on reducing the rate of child marriages and redeem those youths already in marriages to continue with education.
  ACTIVITIES
  o Tree nursery and planting
  o Elderly companionship
  o Menstrual education
  o Market clean up
  o Computer literacy
  o Bee keeping
  o Sexual reproductive health and rights
  o Composting
  o Poultry production systems
  o Group savings and loans
  o Vegetable farming
  o Charity
  o Gardening
  SOURCE OF FUNDS
  • Motorbike rentals
  • Membership fees
  • Homestay (bnb)
  • Local and international fundraising campaign

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Elderly Companionship

  Teaching

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  Hospitality/Tourism

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  It will be an unforgettable experience - you will get to engage in Malawian life, learn more about the culture, share your knowledge and have meaningful interactions with the locals.
  You will be assisting a small grassroots organisation which is run entirely by volunteers, sources funds from internal contributions, tree nursery sales and receives no international funding. Your time and help will make a difference to some of the poorest people in Malawi.
  Volunteering can be a great way to build confidence, develop personally, learn new skills or even just develop old ones. It looks good on your CV (resume) and may give you something interesting to talk about in a job interview.
  
  VOLUNTEER PROGRAMMES
  When you apply to volunteer with our project we will do our best to tailor a program which is suitable to your skills and the needs of the organization. Please let us know before you arrive if you have any specific skills or areas of interest so we can plan activities accordingly.
  When you arrive in Livingstonia, Rumphi, you will be met by a member of the our project team and taken to your accommodation to get settled. We can also help you with other tasks such as buying a local SIM (for internet data, texts and calls) or any other essentials you may need.
  The next (weekday) morning, you will be taken to our project’s office where you will be able to meet other members and volunteers. You will be given a chance to learn more about our project and to introduce yourself to the team. Together we will create a programme which can make best use of your skills, interests and time.
  Volunteers generally work five days a week and have their weekends off, although this timetable is flexible (sometimes there will be an activity planned at the weekend.) Every Monday morning there will be a team meeting at the projects office for us to share ideas and plan the activities for the week ahead. All volunteers are expected to attend this meeting weekly to enable us to collaborate effectively as a group. All volunteers will also be invited to the our projects Whatsapp group, where we share photos and information about our activities with other members.
  For those who have a laptop or who would like to help with grant writing, blogs and other administrative work, we generally spend the mornings in the office (from approximately 8:00 until 12:00) before going home for lunch. The afternoon activities can vary depending on the day and the program of the volunteers.
  Volunteers with specific skills and experience can request to work with one of our local partners outside of our project. For example, we can help doctors or those with a medical background to be placed in a local hospital or arrange for teachers to assist in a school. Volunteers are encouraged to come forward with creative concepts for new projects which can help the community. While we welcome all ideas, we do request that you continue to involve our project in your plans during your stay through continued communication with other members, and by attending the weekly meetings.
  
  WEEKENDS
  During weekends volunteers might chose to visit places of tourist attractions around Livingstonia such as the Mantchewe falls, Ancestral caves, farm eco-lodge, the old Livingstonia missionary church, Stone house museum, hiking at the Chombe plateau, hiking to the Nyika National Park.. Workawayers might also chose to visit the beaches at the fresh water lake Malawi which is 15km from Livingstonia. We have a motorbike at the office, which you could rent for your travels to help us raise income for our office works.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  Workawayers would be very helpful in the following ways..
  - help us with organising project activities and executing them
  - represent the organisation in meetings with different stakeholders
  - help us in the field with companion visits and donating items
  - photography and videography
  - help with developing project documents such as concept notes, reports, minutes of meetings, business plans, activity plans, budgets etc.
  - help with organising fundraisers for different causes- within our community and on online platforms
  - we need help from volunteers whom can share their skills and knowledge.
  - help manage our social media platforms and scheduling for posts during the whole period of their stay.
  
  To achieve sustainable development in Livingstonia, Rumphi, Malawi.. workawayers will be very useful in all our project thematic areas:
  ● Climate Change and Sustainable Agriculture: Tree planting activities, promotion and construction of improved firewood cooking stoves, briquette fabrication from market wastes and maize husks, promotion of organic farming techniques and raising awareness about environmental issues.
  ● Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH): Training of villagers in hygienic issues, waste collection activities, facilitation of the construction of public toilets and awareness raising about the importance of a clean and hygienic environment, menstruation hygiene in schools and the community.
  ● Women and Youth Empowerment: Training in income generation activities and encouragement to take part in decision making processes, facilitation of access to schools for underprivileged girls and boys, managing pen-pal schemes to improve communication, cultural awareness and language skills, training and awareness raising on HIV/AIDS prevention and the importance of healthy nutrition..

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Chichewa, Chewa, Nyanja: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  We're interested to learn your mother language.
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  Accommodation

  We encourage volunteers to opt for our homestay accommodation option, where you will be hosted by one of our project’s members or friends in their family home. This is a great opportunity to experience the unique culture of Malawi and to interact and make friends with a local family. You will have your own room and private space for sleeping or relaxing in the evenings. We will do our best to ensure that you are comfortable and well looked after during your stay, however please be aware that facilities are basic, some hosts and you must be comfortable using local drop toilets and bucket showers.
  
  Your food will be prepared by the family and you will receive 3 meals a day. The food mainly consists of tea/coffee and some bread/cake/porridge or potatoes for breakfast. For lunch and dinner we generally eat rice or nsima (a local dish made from maize flour) with some vegetables, beans, meat or fish. Sometimes, fruit or salad will also be served. This is the staple food here and we hope you learn to love it! Volunteers will also be able to help their host family with preparing the food and even cook a dish from their own country if they wish.
  
  We do not limit volunteers the right to contribute towards groceries and accommodation costs. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements before arriving - Vegetarian, vegan and other diets can be catered for. If volunteers require any other snacks beside the three main meals these can easily be purchased in the local market. Bottled water is not included but is also available at the local market.
  
  If the volunteer prefers to stay on their own, other arrangements are also possible. For volunteers that are travelling in a car or are carrying tents, we can provide free access to a fenced space with running water and sanitation facilities. If needed, we can also provide a charcoal stove for cooking.
  
  For those who prefer to cook for themselves and have more privacy, the option of renting a small private apartment can be discussed with us. There is the a lodge available and we can assist you in finding an affordable option if required.

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  What else ...

  The Livingstonia mountains being at the foot of the famous Nyika National PARK, provides a great playing grounds for people who love-- hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, photographing.
  
  The fresh water lake is 15km down the mountains. With nice beaches to spend your free time. You will enjoy walking on foot in the path of GORODI, looking at a the amazing scenery beauty and beyond the lake to Mozambique and Tanzania. The closest city is Mzuzu, about 3 hours away on public transport.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  We have fast 5G network provided by TNM and Airtel, making it easy for digital nomads.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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  This host charges a fee

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  Why does workaway.info allow listings of hosts who charge money?

  In developing countries (Where most hosts are involved in charity work or community development) some of our hosts may ask for a small donation to help the host family or charity (often less then 5 dollars per day) Workaway will allow this listing when the donation goes directly to the family or charity and is just to cover the cost of the volunteer‘s stay.  (This will be clearly marked on the host listing).
  We will strictly not allow listings posted by agents, “middle men” or projects who we feel are looking to profit from a volunteers stay.
   

   

   

  $6 per day contribution for food and the project

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