|
Malawi Bangwe
Co-ordinators:
Laura Horsley and Caroline Wigerstad
Project E-mail: sva_malawi@yahoo.com
The Country
Malawi is a small
country in southeast Africa with a population of close to 16 million. It is
often referred to as ‘the warm heart of Africa’ due to the friendly nature
of its people. The official languages are English and Chichewa, although
there are many other regional languages spoken. Malawi is heavily reliant
on agriculture and its main export is tobacco. Malawi is home to the third
largest lake in Africa, Lake Malawi, as well as the third highest mountain
in Africa, Mountain Mulanje.
Malawi gained
independence from Britain in 1964, and a 30 year long period of one-party
rule under President Hastings Kamuzu Banda followed. Banda lost power in
1993 and Malawi held its first democratic multiparty election in 1994. The current president is called Bingu Wa Mutharika.
Malawi is currently
struggling with combating the rapidly growing problem of HIV/AIDS as well
as trying to develop the economy and tackle poverty. Malawi is one of the poorest
and least developed countries in the world.
Although it is
generally considered politically stable, Malawi experienced some
anti-government riots in the summer of 2011.
For more details and
current issues on Malawi, please go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13864367
Aims of the Project
1. Schools and orphan care centres: The volunteers will be allocated to either one
of the three schools or one of three orphan care centres that SVA has
worked with in the past. Each
morning they will assist in teaching English and any other subject in which
they feel comfortable.
2. Sports:
The volunteers will have the
opportunity to teach sports at the local youth centre and run a weekly
sports program.
3. HIV/AIDS:
The volunteers will work with local HIV/AIDS support groups, promoting
awareness and assist in testing.
4. Women’s groups: SVA has links with two women’s support groups
which work towards women empowerment in order to combat conflict, abuse and
inequality within the community.
Volunteers will help with a range of activities such as assisting
with IGAs (Income Generation Activities), engaging in discussions and creating
awareness of gender issues.
5. Children’s home: Volunteers will have the chance to tutor
vulnerable children who are currently staying at a children’s home called
STEKA (Step Kids Awareness).
Additionally
a construction project will be undertaken which is to be decided on by the
volunteers, the coordinators and the community. For example in the past
years the volunteers have built a school block for a local orphan care
centre, and a number of piggeries to aid economic empowerment. Furthermore
the volunteers will help the community set up IGAs, in order to help the
local population help themselves becoming economically self-sustained.
Details of the Project
The
Malawi Bangwe project is based in the township of Bangwe, 30 minutes away from Blantyre, the commercial capital of Malawi.
This summer it will be running for its 7th consecutive year and
volunteers will be working with our partner NGO, AYISE (Active Youth
Initiative for Social Enhancement).
Volunteers
will stay within the grounds of the NGO in a guesthouse. The project will last for 10 weeks. In the first week the volunteers will be introduced
to Malawian culture, language and history hosted by AYISE. The starting date will depend on the
volunteers and the NGO, however volunteers should be free from the middle of June to early September.
Costs
Volunteers
will be expected to raise £9,000,
which works out at £750 each. In
the past volunteers have far exceeded this amount and found fundraising
easier than first thought! Flights will cost approximately £800 and
vaccinations/anti-malarials will cost between £100 and £200 depending on
your doctor’s recommendations. It is advisable to bring between £700 and
£1000 for your time in country but what you will spend will depend on what
you want to do in your free time and during the potential travel period
after the project finishes.
Volunteers
We
are looking for 12 volunteers
who are:
Hard-working,
enthusiastic and interested in working with children
Creative
Self-motivated
Happy
to work within a group
Interested
in development work
We
are looking to take volunteers from all fields of study with a variety of
skills and interests.
Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO)
AYISE (Active
Youth Initiative of Social Enhancement)
P.O Box 90588,
Bangwe,
Blantyre 9,
Malawi
SOUTHERN AFRICA
Phone: +265 (0)
1918296
Website: www.ayisemw.org
Useful Websites
http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/malawi.htm
http://www.bnltimes.com/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/africa/
|
