Malawi Schools Permaculture Clubs (MSPC) Voluntary opportunities

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Section 1: Description

Malawi Schools Permaculture Clubs (MSPC) is a non-profit that promotes permaculture principles to children in Malawi. Based in Nkhata Bay, in the north of the country, the organisation supports primary school teachers in the area who want to run after-school permaculture clubs. MSPC provides all the relevant training for the teachers, as well as a structured club programme for them to follow. This includes a resource pack of weekly lessons and activities, basic equipment needed to run clubs, and infrastructure to support and motivate teachers throughout the year.

The aim of the program is to teach children how to care for and regenerate their natural environment, to value their local resources, and to learn how to produce their own nutritious food. MSPC works with 600 children at 15 different school clubs, and has plans of expanding the program to other areas of Malawi.

Responsibilities

Permaculture

This voluntary position offers the opportunity to gain practical experience in the application of permaculture in a development context. You’ll be part of a small team providing support for permaculture training to teachers in a rural setting. Your role will the tailored to your skills and knowledge, so that you can have an optimum learning experience, and you’ll be guided by a team at all times.

Possible Tasks

- Assisting with developing the weekly permaculture program for children

- Helping with specific projects happening at schools, such as developing small permaculture gardens

- Maintaining and developing permaculture principles on the grounds at Butterfly Space lodge

- Maintanence of the 'Nature Trail' around the grounds of the lodge, which is used for school visits and teacher training

Your tasks will be customised to your specific skills, knowledge and interests.

There’s a diverse range of areas you can also get involved in, including:

- Development of the overall course of the program / strategies

- Fundraising, which can include grant writing, online campaigns and individual giving campaigns

- Donor management and retention

- Impact measures and reporting

- Facilitation of projects on the ground

- Development of communication strategies

- Social media and newsletters

- Grant writing

- Photography & videography (if you have relevant skills)

- Content & blog writing

- PR

Qualifications

These roles would be suitable for a range of individuals with different skills - please see above in the responsibility section to see if your skills meet what we are looking for. If you feel that you have an additional skill that would be useful to develop our permaculture project, them please do get in touch.

All applicants should have an interest in permaculture and a positive and proactive approach to the role.

Butterfly Space Lodge is beautifully situated under a canopy of mango trees, surrounded by lush permaculture gardens with a restaurant and bar. Butterfly Space is a 15 minute walk from the bustling ferry port and market town, which has a vibrant market, great night life handcrafted souvenir shops, restaurants and a warm and friendly feel!

Across the bay is Aqua Africa who offer scuba diving and kayaking, Monkey Business (on site at Butterfly) is a small Malawian business that offers kayaking and canoe trips, mountain biking and treks. The lodge has a lively bar and pool table, and hammocks overlooking the beautiful crystal clear Lake Malawi. Snorkels are available free of charge at reception for snorkelling. There are lots of beautiful coves and beaches to explore along the lake, and pretty villages that welcome warmly passers by.

The Standard Volunteer Package: US$530 per person for the whole month includes:

• Dormitory Accommodation*
• Food allowance up to MK 6500
• Laundry and cleaning facilities
• Orientation on projects and Nkhata Bay

*If people wish to stay in an individual chalet rather than the dormitory then there are upgrade options available; Standard chalet +$90

Discounts can be discussed and provided for volunteers wishing to volunteer for longer than their initial month. The first month volunteer package is a necessary cost to cover the running costs of the non-profit Butterfly Space lodge and the projects.

You will receive a daily allowance of 6500MK to use in the restaurant. This is the cost of approximately 2 meals.

Greenview restaurant is a business run by two Malawian ladies here at Butterfly Lodge. They are passionate about what they do. The meals are freshly prepared and there are many delicious menu options, both local and international dishes, that cater for all dietary requirements.