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Project Requirements
Participants need to ensure they are fit enough to take part in a project of this nature
Programme Outline
The Malawi Sports and Teaching Project has 2 main goals – to provide the local children with much needed physical activity and a secure environment for their free time; and to lighten the ever-increasing work load of school teachers in the Monkey Bay area. Because of this, the volunteer programme consists of 2 main responsibilities – teaching during the mornings in local schools; and coaching sports both after school and in the early evenings to local children.
School Holidays
In Malawi there are three school terms each year, the dates of which vary each year and are often not confirmed until the last minute. As a general guideline the terms are as follows:
- First term: 13 weeks, from mid-January to mid-April.
- Second term: 12 Weeks from early May to the end of July.
- Third term: 12 weeks from late August to mid-November
During the school vacations there is still a need for volunteers, as you may help out with organised holiday classes and activities for the children with the objective of keeping them off the streets and out of trouble. You may coach sports to local teams, teach art and music and spend your time interacting with the children. There is much less structure to these activities and you should expect to be creative and motivated to implement your own ideas with the children each day.
Available Dates
The Malawi Sports and Teaching project is available all year round, with start dates on the first Monday of each month.
Equipment Donations
This sports volunteer project is like many other charitable organisations and therefore needs donations each year for sustainable development. Although your programme does include a donation to the project, all volunteers are encouraged to bring with them any further equipment that may benefit the project.
This can include:
- T-shirts
- Sports balls i.e. footballs, netballs, volleyballs etc
- Plastic cones
- Any other sporting accessory
This is not compulsory and your donation, if you make one, does not have to be brand new.
Accommodation and Meals
All volunteers will be accommodated in our volunteer house on the outskirts of Monkey Bay. This comfortable house is situated on the shores of the lake, with unrestricted views of Lake Malawi and the surrounding area.
Rooms in the house are twin share and there is running water, a shower and a western style toilets. Please be aware that whilst electricity and water are fairly reliable, power cuts and water shortages may be experienced from time to time.
The house cook will provide all meals at your accommodation. Meals will be made from local produce, which typically consists of rice, vegetables, chicken and fish. A packed lunch will be provided for you when you are at your placement.
Local Orientation
At the start of your programme you will receive an in-depth local orientation, to go alongside your pre-departure handbook. This orientation will be conducted by our local programme coordinator and will cover the following areas:
- Basic language lessons to help you on your placement. This will include local greetings, pleasantries etc
- Culture and behaviour: you will be familiarised with the cultural norms of Malawi and what your expected behaviour will be whilst on and off the placement.
- Travel: for during and after your placement finishes. Our coordinator will let you know what you can do in the local area and what your travel options are for after your placement.
- Safety: our coordinator will tell you how to keep yourself and your valuables safe whilst in Malawi. This will include areas to avoid, what to do in an emergency, behaviour at nighttime and more.
Project Support
Throughout your stay in Malawi you will have the support and guidance of our native Malawian project manager, Francis, and the team. They will provide you with competent assistance and help you with any questions or advice you may need during your stay. The house staff will be on hand throughout the day and Francis stays within walking distance of the house in the local village.
In addition, we will provide you with a 24 hour emergency contact number before you depart, so that you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.
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