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Umunthu Foundation, Blantyre District

This project is located in the Southeast of Blantyre, in the south of Malawi. Umunthu Foundation is a human rights and HIV NGO. Situated in Limbe, a town which is effectively an extension of Blantyre, the project is along a dirt track and has a rural feel while still being well-connected. 

Your Project

Umunthu Foundation has links with various schools around Bangwe, which is located in an area called Limbe. As a Volunteer, you will be teaching primary or pre-school students at one of these schools.

David, your Host, is very flexible, accommodating and passionate about helping you make the most of your year with him at the centre. The schools are generally very open to discussing what level and what subject you would like to teach. You will be teaching classes of around 40-60 students. This project needs Volunteers that are hardworking, friendly and show good initiative. 

In the afternoons you will have the opportunity to establish projects within the schools, including individual tuition and sports clubs, but you’ll also be able to set up your own extracurricular activities in the community or in the centre, as well as assisting with homework and potentially providing informal lessons to others attending the centre. 

This project demands dedication, imagination and creativity. The centre has very little spare money and providing the basics for its patients is the priority. You will have few resources for your teaching and play, although there is the possibility of occasional outings if you arrange them. There are opportunities within the community for additional volunteering if you are interested and motivated in helping out. 

Accommodation

You will live in Umunthu’s guest house which is a short walk to the main road from where you can take a short bus ride to the school. The guest house is very well equipped with furnished bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen. Electricity and water supplies are erratic so you will have to learn to use a charcoal fire during power cuts for cooking. From your house, it will take about 40 minutes on the bus to get to Blantyre which is the nearest main town, but you can get necessities in Limbe which is 15 minutes on the bus.

Your living allowance provided by Project Trust will cover your daily living costs.

Important Information

The following pages contain important information relating to your Volunteer placement. Please make sure you read them thoroughly.