Mulanje, Malawi

Malawi faces social challenges such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic, widespread poverty and food insecurity. These challenges are compounded by rapid urban migration, as many families move to cities and settle in informal communities characterized by poor sanitation, limited access to electricity and inadequate road infrastructure.

Malawi has about 4.8 million existing housing units of which 58.9% do not meet livability standards. The housing demand has skyrocketed in the country. At least 21,000 new units will be required every year for the next 10 years to meet the country’s need.

Since 2010, Habitat for Humanity Malawi has built over 300 homes in the Mulanje district, impacting over 700 vulnerable children in its Abwenzi Athu or Our Friends project. Global Village volunteers will assist a building contractor and local volunteers in the construction of a three-room house outfitted with a ventilation-improved pit latrine.

Some of the construction tasks include:  

• Mixing mortar.
• Carrying water.
• Laying down bricks.
• Plastering walls.

Volunteers will stay in double-occupancy rooms at a hotel. Single-occupancy rooms are available by request for an additional charge. Please contact your team leader to request a single-occupancy room. Meals will vary slightly from day to day. Breakfast will be provided at the hotel. Lunches will be served on the build site on workdays and dinner will be at the hotel, local restaurant or arranged by the country program.
 

Russ Krochock leads Global Village builds because he wants to make meaningful volunteer experiences accessible to new volunteers. He loves supporting Habitat’s mission to help people have a decent place to live. To learn more about this build, please contact Russ at [email protected].