Malawi

I just spent 2008 – 2010 in Mali, West Africa with the Peace Corps.  Coming home I still have a strong spirit to keep on helping.  Inspired by my volunteer experience with Habitat in Madagascar and Costa Rica I am excited to lead this trip to build in Malawi.  So please come join me, Maridee Bonadea and Habitat for Humanity in exploring Malawi upfront and personal.  We will all share in this service opportunity to help Habitat Malawi by building with a local family.  What fun it will be to spend your vacation by making a difference in the world.  No construction or building skills necessary. 

About Malawi
Malawi, 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 engaged in smallholder farming.

About Habitat for Humanity in Malawi
Habitat for Humanity Malawi started in the capital city of Lilongwe in 1986. HFH Malawi is constructing houses of burnt clay bricks, cement floors and tile roofs. Over 5,000 houses have been built.

Types of construction for volunteers
Typical work for Global Village team members may include: mixing mortar and concrete; carrying construction materials; fixing chicken wires; digging foundations; making bricks; carrying water; and more.

Standard itinerary
(13-day itinerary)
Day 1 (Saturday):  Depart from the United States.
Day 2 (Sunday):  Arrive in Malawi; dinner and overnight.
Day 3 (Monday): Breakfast at the hotel; welcome and orientation with local staff; lunch at hotel; work in the afternoon; dinner and overnight.
Day 4-7 (Tuesday-Friday):  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 for local cultural activities; dinner; team activities.
Day 8 (Saturday):  Optional half-day build; Lunch and free time for cultural activities.
Day 9 (Sunday):  Visit a local church and other cultural activities.
Days 10-11 (Monday, Tuesday):  Typical work day.
Day 12 (Wednesday):  Work a half-day; lunch on site; house dedication and farewell ceremony in the afternoon.
Day 13 (Thursday):  Depart for home.
 
There will be other opportunities for cultural activities in the evenings, during free time and during days off.

Accommodations
Teams traveling to Malawi stay in either guesthouses or small hotels, depending on the location. Breakfast and dinner are usually provided at lodging, and lunch is typically provided on site.

Trip cost
$1820 (For more details about what is included in this cost, visit www.habitat.org/cd/gv/trip_desc
 

For more information about this GV trip to Malawi, contact Maridee via e-mail at maridee_bonadea@yahoo.com.