Lilongwe, Malawi

Malawi faces several social challenges including the HIV/AIDS epidemic, rapid urban migration, high levels of poverty and food insecurity. More than 11% of Lilongwe residents have HIV/AIDS — one of the highest prevalence rates in the country. Children are bearing the largest burden of the epidemic, resulting in more than 2 million being orphaned. This statistic is expected to rise over the years. Nearly 17% of the country’s total orphans reside in Lilongwe, according to a report issued in 2016 by the U.S. State Department.

Due to the high prevalence of orphans in the region Habitat for Humanity Malawi began participating in USAID’s Orphan and other Vulnerable Children Program to improve housing conditions for orphans and other vulnerable children in 2014. Since then, Habitat for Humanity has built over 143 homes in the district, reaching over 280 orphans and other vulnerable children.

Habitat volunteers will assist a building contractor and local volunteers in the construction of a three-room house outfitted with a ventilated-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.
 

Tricia Vos became a Global Village team leader in 2013 because she wanted every volunteer to have the chance to experience — and love — the program as much as she does. Her goal for each build is to create a memorable, safe experience that leaves volunteers excited to stay involved with Habitat’s Global Village program for years to come. To learn more about this build, please contact Tricia at [email protected].