Malawi
April 9–22, 2010
Made any plans for next spring? Interested in traveling to Africa?
Then consider joining a group of volunteers that will be traveling to Malawi in southeastern Africa, to help build homes with Habitat for Humanity. Take a vacation with a difference and experience the beauty, culture and charm of the country affectionately known as “the warm heart of Africa.” This trip will afford you with an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience Africa like never before.
You will be changed forever!
About Malawi
Malawi, formerly the British Protectorate of Nyasaland, is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa that is surrounded by Tanzania, Lake Malawi (Lake Nyasa), Mozambique and Zambia. Malawi is a country of gorgeous scenery and extremely friendly and welcoming people. The Great Rift Valley runs north to south, surrounded by mountain ranges and high plateaus.
Malawi ranks among the world's least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural with about 85 percent of the population involved in farming. Malawi is one of the world’s least urbanized countries but is experiencing the pressures of one of the highest rates of urban migration. The rate of 6.3 percent migration is over three times the global rate and nearly twice Africa’s average rate. The limited scope of economic opportunities and poor infrastructure in rural areas drive people toward urban centers. Malawi’s major urban centers—especially Lilongwe, the capital city—are ill equipped to welcome and provide basic social services for the newcomers.
In Malawi, formal housing account for less than 20 percent of the demand and target middle- and high-income people. As a result, between 70–90 percent of the urban population are living in informal slum conditions, which results in insecure tenure, poor housing quality and overcrowding . These conditions expose many families to life-threatening diseases such as cholera, typhoid, rabies, malaria and exacerbate complications due to AIDS.
Habitat for Humanity Malawi started in the capital city of Lilongwe in 1986. Habitat is constructing houses of burnt clay bricks, cement floors and tile roofs. Over 6,000 houses have been built, making it one of the largest Habitat building programs in the world. Current projects in Malawi are designed to allow people with a household income of US$30 to US$60 a month to acquire a home of their own, without spending more than 30 percent of household income for housing.
Types of construction for volunteers
Typical work for a Global Village team is to assist homeowners and local volunteers in building the houses. Work may include mixing mortar and concrete, carrying construction materials, fixing chicken wire, digging foundations, making bricks and carrying water.
Standard itinerary
(14-Day Itinerary)
Day 1, Friday, April 9: Depart for Malawi.
Day 2, Saturday, April 10: Travel day.
Day 3, Sunday, April 11: Arrive in Malawi; welcome and orientation with local staff; dinner and overnight.
Days 4–8, Monday, April 12–Friday, April 16: Typical build day: breakfast served before traveling to work site; work from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. with lunch on site; free time in the evenings; dinner; team activities.
Day 9, Saturday, April 17: Optional half-day build; lunch and free time for cultural activities.
Day 10, Sunday, April 18: Visit a local church and enjoy other cultural activities.
Day 11, Monday, April 19: Typical work day.
Day 12, Tuesday, April 20: Work a half-day; lunch on site; house dedication and farewell ceremony in the afternoon.
Day 13, Wednesday, April 21: Depart for home.
Day 14, Thursday, April 22: Arrive home.
Note: There will be other opportunities for cultural activities in the evenings, during free time and during days off.
Accommodations
Teams traveling to Malawi usually stay in either guesthouses or small hotels, depending on the location. Breakfast and dinner are usually provided where team members are lodged, and lunch is typically provided on site.
Trip cost
$1,750, plus air fare
Trip cost includes: donation to the Habitat host program and Habitat for Humanity; meals, accommodations and transport (excluding trip participant air fare); medical emergency evacuation and trip cancellation insurance; some local cultural activities and team coordination and orientation materials. A portion of the team leader’s trip cost and estimated air fare is included in the trip budget. The trip cost does not include trip participant air fare, any pre- or post-trip R&R activities or visa and exit fees (not applicable for all destinations).
Team leaders
Yamiko Samu works for Habitat for Humanity International in Atlanta, Georgia. He was born and raised in Malawi but has lived in the United Kingdom, Australia and South Africa. He has led numerous Global Village teams to Malawi and South Africa and has traveled extensively around the world, especially in eastern and southern Africa. Yamiko’s biggest passion is to share with people the beauty and rich heritage of his homeland.
Assisting Yamiko will be one of his Habitat colleagues, Molly Bell. Molly has been on past Global Village trips to Central America, both as a participant and as a team leader. She looks forward to having her first African adventure with you.
If you are interested in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity or have any questions, contact Yamiko via e-mail at yamiko_samu@yahoo.com or Molly at mbell@habitat.org.