Lake Malawi Malaria Prevention Project

Malaria is an epidemic in Africa that effects millions of people each year. The poorest people are effected the most as they do not have the financial resources to protect their huts and themselves adequately against the mosquito transmitted disease.

By taking part in this project you will be saving lives!

The village you will be working in is a typical rural Malawi village

Project Location:

This project is based in the Monkey Bay area at the southern end of Lake Malawi. Our volunteer base is about 7km's south of Monkey Bay on the shore of Lake Malawi. This project takes place in the surrounding rural village.

Project Age Limit:

Minimum 17 years.

The Lake Malawi Malaria Prevention Project

Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, with over half of the population living below the poverty line and an average daily income of less than 60 US Cents. The majority of Malawi's population lives in rural areas in mud hut homesteads. Due to the extreme poverty levels the people in rural areas have to rely on international donor aid for the acquisition of mosquito nets. These programmes are haphazard, dependent on funding and never long term.

Malaria is transmitted by the female Anofeles mosquito. The malaria parasite enters the human blood stream by being bitten by a malaria carrying Anofeles mosquito. The parasite then rapidly multiplies in the blood stream and the symptoms of malaria develop when the red blood cells begin to be destroyed. The low lying areas along the shores of Lake Malawi are recognised as a year round risk area for malaria as the mosquito's breed near marshes and still water. Long term induction of prophylactics is not considered an option due to the rapid build up of resistance to oral drugs.

For local communities the best options to prevent malaria is to minimise the contact with mosquito's. Mosquito's are most active between dusk and dawn. Prevention techniques include sleeping under mosquito nets at night, retiring indoors as soon as possible after dusk, covering exposed parts of the body by wearing long pants and long sleeve shirts, burning of coils and lanterns filled with mosquito repellent, placing fine gauze over all window openings and spraying interior walls with long term mosquito repellent.

A typical living hut in a rural Malawi village

Your Role as a Volunteer

You will work from our volunteer base on the shores of Lake Malawi in the surrounding villages. Each volunteer staying for 4 weeks on the project will work with up to 3-5 homesteads (which may contain a number of buildings). You will work in teams with a local Malawian malaria liaison officer who will facilitate your work and provide interpretation.

• You will manufacture specially custom designed mosquito nets, for the homesteads you are working with, that minimise the contact with humans while they are sleeping. (The normal pyramid shaped nets commercially available do not adequately prevent a persons body from touching the side of the net and thus get bitten through the net at night, especially feet, hands and forearms!)
• You will impregnate each net you make with long term mosquito repellent.
• You will re-impregnate and repair existing mosquito nets.
• You will install/fix/replace fine gauze netting over all openings in each sleeping hut.
• You will spray the interior walls of each building in the homestead with long term mosquito repellent, except those storing food.
• You will conduct malaria prevention education lessons with the members of the homestead with the help of your liaison officer.
• You will conduct malaria prevalence research with each homestead for long term assessment of project results.
• During the rainy season when malaria incidence increases you may provide additional materials to each homestead such as mosquito coils and lantern additives that will help repel mosquito's from the sleeping areas within homesteads.
• Volunteers are encouraged to raise additional funds (not compulsory) to direct to the purchase of additional equipment and materials to increase the impact area of the project as fast as possible. This will be arranged during your stay with the project coordinator.

Project Support

Throughout your stay in Malawi you will have the support and guidance of our partner organisation and their staff. They will provide you with competent assistance and help you with any questions or advice you may need during your stay. The house staff will be on hand throughout the day and the project coordinator lives at the one volunteer house.

View in front of volunteer house on beach of Lake Malawi

Project Orientation

On your first full day in Monkey Bay you will be given a comprehensive orientation by your in-country project coordinator. The orientation will include:

• An introduction to Malawian culture and values
• Basic local language lessons
• Your health and safety whilst in Malawi
• Workplace ethics
• Money and transportation in Malawi
• An introduction to the area, the malaria prevention project and the staff
• Local food and practices
• Places to visit in your free time
• Excursion to the local town

You will stay in one of the two very comfortable, shared volunteer houses, which are within walking distance of the villages you will be working in. The houses are situated right on the beach of Lake Malawi about 7km south of Monkey Bay Town, so you can sit and gaze out over the waters. The property is fenced and gated and has a large green garden. Rooms in the house range from twin share to dormitory style and there is running water, a shower and western style toilets. Please be aware that whilst electricity and water are fairly reliable, power cuts and water shortages may be experienced from time to time. There is staff at the house, including a cook, house keeper (although volunteers are also expected to do their bit to keep the house clean and tidy) and night watchmen for your security. Three meals per day are provided. Breakfast is usually on a self-service basis, consisting of cereals and toast, although the cook may treat you occasionally. Lunch will either be a packed lunch, or self-service if you plan to return to the house at lunchtime. The cook will prepare the evening meal for you. Please Note: There is a fridge at the house, which is used to store the food for your meals each day and some additional drinks, which you can purchase form the staff. If you do wish to buy some of your own food/snacks and drinks, this will be fine to do though you must be aware it cannot be stored in the communal fridge.

Leisure Activities

There are a number of highlights that you may like to see in your free time at weekends, such as National Parks, or the Mulanje Massif. The project staff will be happy to help you to organise excursions while you are there. There is also a programme of weekend activities/safaris each month. These weekend activities are not included in your project fee and will need to be paid for on site. Alternatively, you may wish to just relax by Lake Malawi. The nearby village of Cape Maclear has a number of small lodges offering great snorkelling and scuba diving.

Volunteers at leisure on Lake Malawi

Getting There

You will need to arrange your flights to Lilongwe International Airport. Upon arrival you will have a meet and greet with one of the project representatives. You will then be transferred by road (approximately 3.5 hours) to the volunteer house just south of Monkey Bay, to settle into your accommodation and meet your fellow volunteers.

Please Note: If you arrive outside of the project start date, you will need to pay a private transfer fee of US$100 to your Malawi host organisation, upon arrival in cash.

Project Dates

This project starts on the first and third Monday of each month and is available throughout the year.

Project Costs

4 weeks £1199

Project Cost Includes:

• Materials needed to perform your tasks for the period of your stay
• Airport transfers to and from Lilongwe International Airport
• Orientation on arrival
• All accommodation during your stay at shared volunteer house
• Full support and assistance from your coordinator throughout your time in Malawi
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.

Project Cost Excludes

• All flights
• Comprehensive travel insurance
• Private Airport Transfers if arriving outside of the specified dates, at the cost of US$100 in cash, per person, per transfer
• Any extra nights of accommodation at the volunteer house: This costs US$20 per night
• All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing (work and other)
• Email/Internet (very limited!) and telephone calls
• Public transport to and from your work site when necessary (when project vehicle not available or under repairs etc.)
• Soft drinks, beer, wines and spirits
• Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary in Malawi