Testimonials

From the moment I touched down in Lilongwe airport I knew I'd love being involved with MVO. This was my first opportunity to meet my fellow volunteers and they were all wonderful. They were from all walks of life, of all ages, and probably some people I would have never otherwise have had the opportunity to get to know. From the outset there was a great sense of camaraderie and support, and I relished the opportunity to become more familiar with everyone as the days went by.

The teaching project was amazing. In the mornings I would teach my class, Standard Six, English and we'd follow the curriculum. This was really interesting from my point of view as an Education Studies student who is normally chiefly exposed to curricula within the U.K. In the afternoons I would run additional lessons to help students who were struggling which was really fun because I could decide what I wanted to do and how I wanted to run the sessions. Stickers are one of the best things you can buy if you are going on the teaching project - the children worked so hard to get them and had great fun.

Further to my teaching in the mornings, I read with children in the school library in the afternoons and helped paint its interior to brighten the library up and make it a more stimulating work environment. Some of the pupils helped us and it such a good laugh! I also had the opportunity to help out at a Nursery Scdhool on a few occasions which was really rewarding - if exhausting! - and, as with the school children, it is so lovely to spend time with the children there and see their faces smiling up at you.

It was great to work alongside the teachers too. They were so easy to get along with and had a great sense of humour. There aren't a lot of resources in the school but the teachers are examples that all the gadgets and gizmos we have at home are not the makings of an effective teacher, it is resourcefulness and commitment.

It was great to feel like part of the community; the people of the surrounding villages were always friendly and everyone encouraged you to dress in the local manner and speak the language as much as you could. This was great way of learning a few phrases of Chichewa which helped you feel like part of the society to an even greater extent. Being immersed in Malawian culture gave me a much greater understanding of what it is like to be Malawian than if I'd just been a tourist in the area.

Having said that, we got to be tourists on the weekends! There was the opportunity to partake in some amazing excursions such as safari and snorkelling, which were absolutely great fun. The entirety of my stay in a Malawi was an adventure from start to finish.

Malawi was really a world away from what I was used to, so each day was a new and exciting experience. Every day something crazy happened, or something would challenge my assumptions. Matola rides (public transport) are more exciting than a day out at a theme park!

I'm not going to say there weren't hard times; I saw some things which brought home the reality of life for some people in Malawi. However, these experiences are an absolute core part of volunteering in Malawi and I feel they helped me grow as a person. I have returned not only with a pair of rather jazzy 'Happy Pants' from Malawi, but also a new perspective on life.

Volunteering as a truly life changing experience cannot be understated and you really come back with an appreciation for what you have in your life. Malawians are also so warm and generous in spite of all the odds which is a really inspiring thing to witness. The people I met in Malawi taught me as many lessons as I taught them! And, whenever it got challenging, there were always my fantastic volunteer friends to help me through.

I couldn't recommend going strongly enough to anyone, although I must warn you, there's a bug they don't tell you about at the travel clinic that will infect you for a long time; it's the love for Malawi and its people, and if you're anything like me, travelling in general! Beware: this adventure will change your life!

Alice

I had recently left my job in the London corporate world to become a teacher. I had some free time before my course started, and I wanted to do some good and volunteer, particularly in Africa. There are fortunately a plethora of volunteer opportunities out there, but I am very glad that I chose Malawi and MVO. MVO is staffed by incredibly passionate and hard-working people striving to improve Malawi. It was a privilege to volunteer with them.

The project work was challenging but ultimately very rewarding. I taught classes at Monkey Bay Primary School. It's a primary school but the age range I was teaching was from 10 to 18.

I was also there during school holidays and ran summer school classes, and could teach them whatever I wanted (during term you have to stick to the curriculum) - this was really enjoyable. There's not much out there so you have to improvise - I was teaching them about negative numbers and angles using the dust in the ground outside, and a stick! My solar mobile phone charger also came in handy to explain a science lesson on energy.

I met some amazing people - both kids and adults - people I'll never forget. For this reason I'm already thinking about when I can go back! So are many of the good friends I met in the volunteer house. Yes, it's tough sometimes...yes, there are (rarely) bad days... but they are all part of the learning and personal development experience you also sign up for, and I wouldn't change a thing about my time there.

I know that I've done some good and helped many people. They've also helped me realise what is important in life. The real culture shock is when you go back home and realise that nobody smiles and everybody avoids eye contact with each other!

So, in summary - go for it! It'll be the best thing you'll ever do. Choose Malawi and choose MVO!

Ben

Most of my afternoons were spent giving talks (with the help of very capable local translators) to groups of villagers on various health-related topics. The audiences were always attentive and appreciative, and the talks often took place in stunning locations. There was plenty of reference material back at the house to help me prepare but to be honest much of it was basic family healthcare.

My fellow volunteers were all younger than me - mostly by quite a long way - but without exception they made me feel part of the group and always included me in any leisure activities. I admit it was a bit of a shock to find myself sharing fairly basic facilities with about 13 others after years of living on my own, but it's surprising how quickly you adapt. When I compared our accommodation to that of the locals, it was clear that the volunteer house was a palace! The volunteers' choice in music didn't always impress me but their commitment and enthusiasm for whichever projects they were involved in certainly did. In fact I really missed the camaraderie when I got home.

I never felt unsafe in Malawi - the house staff and the local people were delightful. On the couple of occasions I got lost, some young man always materialised to see me safely home whilst clearly relishing the opportunity to practise his English.

So to anyone out there who's getting on in years but is still physically fit and young at heart, is prepared to muck in, wants a rewarding and challenging experience which will benefit others who are less fortunate, wants to be a traveller rather than a tourist, and wants to operate in a safe and supportive environment, I would say without hesitation "Go for it"! There really is a huge need in Malawi for your skills and experience.

Beryl

I started my time there on the Sports and Community programme. I spent every morning in one of the Nursery Schools (Chilombo Nursery School became my little project) and each afternoon coaching different sports - mainly football, netball and rounders. I really enjoyed the sport but after a few weeks into my time there the weather got a lot hotter and less people came. I spoke to the project manager about this issue and offered my assistance in other areas - such as medical. For the next 2 months I worked in the Wound Clinic every afternoon. I loved doing this and I felt I was really helping the community. It was really satisfying to watch the patients get better and see their wounds heal with your help.

My favourite thing about the project had to be Chilombo Nursery School and the children there. I spent every morning for 12 weeks with the same children and made a special bond with a number of them. After a month there and with the rainy season on its way I realised that the only building they had was made from bamboo and straw. I spoke to my mum back home and asked her for some help - she then started fundraising. Another volunteer offered to help and confident I could reach the target, I got a quote for a new building and with the help of the MVO staff, I organised its construction. The finished building, made from bricks, timber and iron sheets, looked amazing, and was completed before I left and before the rainy season started.

I would recommend volunteering with MVO to anyone. I had the most incredible time there and seeing the little children's faces so happy over the smallest thing has completely changed my life. I have made many lifelong friends and wouldn't change a second of it.

Lindsey