Discovered myself, acquired new life skills and knowledge to create a conducive environment for my mental well being and of others. I felt valued and appreciated and a sense of belonging. I discovered that there is a lot to do in this world, and together we can make this a better world for everyone of us.
Construction and Renovation Volunteer Project in Malawi
Purpose
Improve infrastructure for the community
Start dates
Programs start every Monday
Duration
Choose from 1-12 weeks
Volunteer hours
Up to 6 hours a day
Age
Volunteers aged 16+ and families
Accommodation
Stay in a volunteer house
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
This program is ideal for:
Active volunteers who don’t mind getting their hands dirty and are willing to help with construction and renovation needs in the local community. You’ll have the guidance of a project coordinator and local skilled workers, so no experience is required.
Project details
Join IVHQ’s Construction and Renovation Project in Malawi and get involved with carefully chosen projects that address the pressing needs of the communities they support. While emphasizing education and sanitation, work with NGOs to prioritize recreational initiatives such as leveling sports fields and establishing vibrant community centers. These initiatives often become lively hubs for the local community.
Participants will work alongside diverse participants and residents, where you’ll collectively work toward a common goal. Malawian workers, skilled in utilizing local materials, will mentor and impart invaluable skills, ensuring swift and effective completion of construction and renovation tasks.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
Volunteers will work closely with local skilled workers, learning from their expertise and contributing to sustainable, impactful projects that cater to the underprivileged community’s immediate needs.
- Tasks involved in the Construction and Renovation project vary day-to-day and may include:
- Digging out or laying foundations
- Constructing walls
- Refurbishing existing structures to enhance their functionality.
- Painting
- Carpentry work (repairing benches, crafting furniture, or refurbishing existing wooden structures)
- Prepare and organize construction materials
For some construction tasks, volunteers will work with recycled materials. For example, volunteers will use plastic bottles to fill with other smaller plastics as a material to build the walls.
Why do Construction and Renovation volunteering in Malawi with IVHQ?
While volunteering on the Construction and Renovation project in Malawi you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Assisting with building and renovating work in schools, healthcare facilities, or communal gathering spaces.
- Help create conducive learning environments for children.
- Improve underprivileged educational facilities
- Contribute to the enhancement of communal facilities
- Creating spaces that benefit the local community
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers need to be 16 years or over to participate on this project, unless volunteering with a parent or guardian.
- Volunteers aged 16 or 17 on their program start date are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional document to the local team.
- All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance.
- All volunteers must speak fluent English.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Not sure which program to join?
Get personalized recommendations >
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Malawi photo gallery
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IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
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IVHQ Environmental Conservation project
IVHQ Teaching Assistant project
IVHQ Environmental Conservation project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Environmental Conservation project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
IVHQ Teaching Assistant project
IVHQ Environmental Conservation project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Teaching Assistant project
IVHQ Environmental Conservation project
IVHQ Teaching Assistant project
IVHQ Environmental Conservation project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
IVHQ Teaching Assistant project
IVHQ Environmental Conservation project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
IVHQ Teaching Assistant project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Environmental Conservation project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Environmental Conservation project
IVHQ Teaching Assistant project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Environmental Conservation project
IVHQ Teaching Assistant project
IVHQ Teaching Assistant project
IVHQ Environmental Conservation project
IVHQ Teaching Assistant project
IVHQ Teaching Assistant project
IVHQ Environmental Conservation project
IVHQ Environmental Conservation project
IVHQ Teaching Assistant project
IVHQ Environmental Conservation project
IVHQ Teaching Assistant project
IVHQ Teaching Assistant project
IVHQ Environmental Conservation project
IVHQ Environmental Conservation project
IVHQ Teaching Assistant project
IVHQ Environmental Conservation project
IVHQ Teaching Assistant project
IVHQ Teaching Assistant project
IVHQ Environmental Conservation project
IVHQ Environmental Conservation project
Free time activity
Free time activity
Free time activity
Free time activity
Free time activity
Free time activity
Free time activity
Free time activity
Free time activity
Free time activity
Free time activity
Free time activity
Free time activity
Free time activity
Free time activity
Free time activity
Free time activity
Explore Malawi on the weekend
Explore Malawi on the weekend
Explore Malawi on the weekend
Explore Malawi on the weekend
Explore Malawi on the weekend
Explore Malawi on the weekend
Explore Malawi on the weekend
Explore Malawi on the weekend
Explore Malawi on the weekend
Explore Malawi on the weekend
Explore Malawi on the weekend
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
GM
Grace Manyika
17 Oct 2024
...
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Academic course credit
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course creditLocation
Location
Discover the Warm Heart of Africa
Immerse yourself in the township of Mangochi, based near the southern end of Lake Malawi, the fourth-largest freshwater lake in the world by volume.
Explore Boadzulu Island, the Lake Malawi Museum, or the Queen Victoria Memorial Tower in your free time. Wildlife lovers can enjoy safaris, and there are plenty of local shops and markets to explore.
Arrival and orientation
The program orientation begins every Monday, and volunteers must arrive in Malawi the Sunday before program orientation.
After registering for the program, please book your flights to the Lilongwe International Airport (LLW) in Lilongwe on the Sunday before your program orientation. Your airport pick-up is included in your program fee. Please note that this service is offered between 6:00 AM to 03:00 PM.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team. The airport is a 4.5-hour drive from Mangochi. If there are volunteers arriving within a few hours of your flight, the local team will wait and transfer volunteers to the accommodation altogether. Your program fee covers your accommodation and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling to Malawi before your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up at a pre-arranged destination in Lilongwe, the day before your program orientation. You also have the option to make your way to Mangochi.
Orientation is hosted by our Malawi local team in Mangochi and there are two options for orientation on the Malawi program.
1-day Orientation:
Orientation begins on your selected start date and covers everything you need to know about your volunteer program. You will have an introduction to the Malawi Program and the local staff, Malawian customs, rules, expectations, and safety.
This will be followed by a tour of the local area to show volunteers key spots like supermarkets, ATMs, and currency exchange centers. The local team can also assist in obtaining a local SIM card with data (Airtel Network).
Afterward, you will join a project-specific meeting as part of the project preparation you’ll need to complete for the following day.
5-day Introduction Week:
The Introduction Week begins on the morning of your chosen start date and runs for the first five days of your stay. It is an excellent way to kickstart your volunteer abroad experience, and it covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Malawi.
Plus, you’ll learn more about the culture and tick off some must-do Malawi experiences, including handcraft workshops, cooking lessons, market visits, and more! The Introduction Week will allow you to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
Volunteer schedule example
Weekdays
Start times and daily workload depend on the project you are volunteering on, with some beginning in the morning and some in the afternoon. A typical schedule is as follows:
| 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM | Breakfast at the accommodation. |
| 8:00 AM | Travel to placement to join local placement staff and begin work on your project. |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch. Volunteers either eat lunch at the volunteer accommodation or, in some cases, at their placement. |
| 1:00 PM | Afternoon placement work begins. |
| 4:00 PM | Afternoon placements usually end. Volunteers are free to return to the volunteer accommodation, plan for the following day’s activities or use their free time as they wish. |
| 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Dinner at the volunteer house. |
Weekends
Volunteers have the weekends free and there is no shortage of things to do in Mangochi or further afield in Malawi. Volunteers can fill their free time with local markets, or visit Mangochi town, Lake Malawi National Park, or Liwonde National Park
Volunteers can make travel arrangements once in Malawi, with the advice and guidance of the local team.
Accommodation and WiFi
You’ll stay in a volunteer house 30 minutes away from central Mangochi. The volunteer house is located in a small village. It’s a great way to see typical Malawian life.
Living conditions are comfortable, and volunteers can expect to share dormitory-style rooms with up to five other volunteers. These bedrooms are separated by gender and have air conditioning. Each room has a shared ensuite bathroom, with a hot water shower and western toilets. There is an outdoor/lounge area and dining area for volunteers to socialize and enjoy their meals together.
There is no WiFi available at the volunteer accommodation. However, volunteers can purchase a local SIM card during orientation to stay in touch with family and friends at home.
The volunteer house has a 7:00 PM curfew each evening. This is in place because there are no streetlights in the area, making it unsafe to walk along the roadside after dark due to low visibility for drivers. Your safety is our top priority.
Meals
In Malawi, volunteers typically enjoy traditional Malawian cuisine, which mainly consists of light vegetarian dishes such as:
- Nsima (a maize flour staple)
- Ndiwo (cooked vegetables or legumes)
- Rice, beans, and fresh vegetables
- Kondowole (Cassava Ball)
- Mgaiwa Phala (Cornmeal / Rice Phala)
Occasionally, volunteers may also be served rice with stew, chicken/meat with chips or beans, and other local delicacies. Western-style meals are also provided on occasion.
Breakfast typically includes fresh fruit, potatoes, coleslaw salad, toast, and eggs along with tea and coffee. Purified drinking water is provided in volunteer accommodation due to the inadvisability of drinking tap water.
Volunteers are served three meals a day on weekdays, while weekends offer breakfast and dinner only. For those wishing to explore local cuisine, there are nearby restaurants offering a variety of options.
If you have special dietary requirements, please let us know when you apply so that we can make arrangements for you. However, it’s essential to prepare for some flexibility due to the possible limits of resources at this location. We will do our best to see that you are well taken care of.
Accommodation outside front
Accommodation bunk beds
Accommodation bunk beds
Accommodation bunk beds
Accommodation bunk beds
Accommodation bunk beds
Accommodation toilet
Accommodation shower
Accommodation living room
Accommodation living room
Accommodation garden
Accommodation garden
Accommodation garden
Typical volunteer meal
Typical volunteer meal
Typical volunteer meal
Typical volunteer meal
Typical volunteer meal
Typical volunteer meal
Pricing
Secure your place for just US$299 (approximately CA$441), pay your Program Fee later.
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately CA$441) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | $460 Equivalent to $66/day |
| 2 weeks | $660 Equivalent to $47/day |
| 3 weeks | $900 Equivalent to $43/day |
| 4 weeks | $1,120 Equivalent to $40/day |
| 5 weeks | $1,340 Equivalent to $38/day |
| 6 weeks | $1,560 Equivalent to $37/day |
| 8 weeks | $2,000 Equivalent to $36/day |
| 10 weeks | $2,440 Equivalent to $35/day |
| 12 weeks | $2,880 Equivalent to $34/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately CA$441) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Malawi generally find US$100 to be sufficient for weekly expenses, including transport and miscellaneous spending.
- Any changes or cancellations within 14 days of your start date are subject to a US$150 late change/cancellation fee.
- Meals
- Airport pick up
- Transport to and from your volunteer placement each day
- Additional supervision and materials involved in your project
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
Popular add-ons & experiences in Malawi
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Malawi program.
Introduction Week
Learn more about Malawian culture and tick off some must-do experiences!
CA$460
Airport Drop-off
Enjoy a stress free ride from the volunteer accommodation back to Kamuzu International Airport (LLW) arranged by our local team.
CA$239
Airport Pick Up for volunteers arriving outside of the airport pick up window
If you’re arriving outside the airport pick-up times, book this add on now!
CA$239
Check what's required to visit Malawi
Safety and support
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
Essential country information
| Capital | Lilongwe |
| Population | 989,318 |
| Languages | English, Chewa, Tumbuka, Yao, Tonga, Sena, Lomwe, Ngonde and Lambya |
| Currency | Kwacha |
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 |
Weather and climate
| Lilongwe is in the northern hemisphere and is located at an elevation of 1055 meters above sea level. Lilongwe has a warm and temperate atmosphere, with a tropical wet and dry or savanna climate. The average temperature in Lilongwe is 20.4 °C | 68.6 °F and the city typically receives about 117 millimeters of precipitation with an average of 141 rainy days annually. The onset of summer commences towards the conclusion of June and ends around September. |
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