School Permaculture Clubs

location
4 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Outstanding 5  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Below average response rate

Highlights

  • 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. Volunteers can help with the development and delivery of the programme.
  • Gain invaluable experience and knowledge in permaculture principles. The voluntary role can be tailored to each individuals specific requirements and interests.
  • Help to design, create and maintain the permaculture gardens and nature trail around Butterfly Space Lodge for local school visits and teacher training demonstrations.
  • Assist the maintenance and development of sustainable environmental practices around the lodge for demonstration during school visits & teacher training, such as drip irrigation and solar water heater


Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+

About the program

A nonprofit that promotes permaculture principles to children in Malawi, supporting primary school teachers who want to run after-school permaculture clubs.

The programme trains and provides teachers with the information and basic resources they need to run an after school permaculture club for up to 40 pupils.  They are practical based sessions which see the children doing a mixture of work both around the school site and in their own small garden ...

About the program

The programme trains and provides teachers with the information and basic resources they need to run an after school permaculture club for up to 40 pupils.  They are practical based sessions which see the children doing a mixture of work both around the school site and in their own small garden beds, where they harvest for themselves.  There are also different forms of support to the teachers throughout the year, regular teachers meetings, visits to the school site, advice and some basic necessary equipment.  As this project is growing so quickly at the moment often there are a lot of organisational and feedback tasks for volunteers to get stuck into.  

Using the garden as a learning tool for the children has proved very successful, both for food production and environmental issues. With Josie Redmonds’s passion for the environment she has taught many teachers and community members and Permaculture Design Courses have also been held at Butterfly Space which offers another great training opportunity.

If you are interested to volunteer in this area then you can:

  • Work with Francis (on-site permaculture gardener) or Josie in the gardens to plant new crops and species which can be used for the schools. Diversity is the key in Permaculture. 
  • Help out with the organisational aspect of the growing MSPC project;
  • Help at the schools, especially during busy periods where they have open days and visits to other permaculture sites.  
  • Help at the schools during their weekly practical sessions, or arranging extra sessions with the kids.
  • Use produce from the garden to demonstrate new recipe and nutrition ideas during one of the weekly sessions.
  • Assist with data analysis for the increasing number of schools taking part.
  • Help fundraise so that more schools can join this programme.
  • Plant tree seedlings at Butterfly for transplanting later at schools.
  • Paint signs to label more trees around Butterfly and to add to the Butterfly nature trail which is now open for school visits and teacher training. This is also linked to the information in the nutrition folder.

  • Help with landscaping around the site at Butterfly or at the schools.
  • Help to maintain and develop sustainable practices around Butterfly Space for demonstration purposes during school visits and teacher training, such as the drip irrigation system and solar water heaters.


Typical day

Volunteering with the permaculture school clubs offers a very flexible and varied schedule. A typical day could start at 8am, after you have enjoyed breakfast at the lodge, finishing mid afternoon, depending on the tasks set out that day. Depending on term time, the stage of the programme and ...

Typical day

Volunteering with the permaculture school clubs offers a very flexible and varied schedule. A typical day could start at 8am, after you have enjoyed breakfast at the lodge, finishing mid afternoon, depending on the tasks set out that day. Depending on term time, the stage of the programme and seasons here in Malawi, the position can vary considerably but there are always plenty of tasks to complete! 

Volunteers will be based at Butterfly Space Lodge, which is used as a hub for the project, and will be working along side Josie Redmonds, Friday and Francis, who are Malawian permaculture professionals who also work with Josie to develop and deliver the project. It is normal to work together in the lobby of Butterfly Space Lodge making plans and organizing school trips and trainings alongside Josie and Francis. 

On weeks with no training or school open days, you will have flexibility to plan and work on your desired areas of the project, work on tasks directed by the permaculture team, or get your hands dirty in the school or lodge gardens!


Free-time activities

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, ...

Free-time activities

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. 



Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (intermediate level)

Education Requirements

at High School level

Criminal Background Check

required

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

Practical skills, basic permaculture knowledge, IT skills are desirable for this voluntary role.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Butterfly Space Malawi

• Dormitory Accommodation*

• Two meals in the restaurant FIRST MONTH ONLY

• 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.

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. 


Accommodation

You will be placed in a 6 bed dorm, which overlook the lake. Dorm beds have mosquito nets, lockers, and are situated close to our eco friendly toilets and hot outdoor shower which overlooks lake Malawi. 

Upgrades to private chalets, and en-suite chalets are available upon request.

Food & Beverages

2 meals a day in the lodge restaurant for the 1st month only.

Mkana cafe, situated at Butterflty lodge is outsourced to create more opportunities for local entrepreneurs in our community. 

The meals are freshly prepared and there are many delicious menu options of local and international dishes, which cater for all dietary requirements.

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Airport Pickup at Mzuzu

An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Mzuzu (ZZU) in Mzuzu. We assist you to find cheap flights to Malawi. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Malawi provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Malawi you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Malawi. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

This is an ongoing project. 

We ask volunteers to stay for a minimum of 1 month.

Bear in mind that during the summer holiday (July-August) Schools here are closed, however, there is always plenty of planning, garden work and ongoing tasks to be completed during this time!

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

4 weeks (min. stay) 631€
6 weeks 775€
8 weeks 920€
10 weeks 1,064€
12 weeks (max. stay) 1,208€
Average fees 129€/week

Program fees

129€ per week 4 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

4 - 12 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Butterfly Space Malawi during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Butterfly Space Malawi

Outstanding 5 rating (11 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2011

Verified by Volunteer World

  Below average response rate

Coordinated by

Holly

About the project

Diverse socially responsible grassroot community projects; empower communities & make real impact. Our non-profit eco-lodge offers a unique & engaging experience to all.

Meet your organization

Butterfly Space passionately works directly with communities, to support diverse grassroot projects and initiatives both on and off site. With a focus on sustainable development, environment, and education, our goal is to empower and motivate communities to drive significant positive changes and make a long lasting impact. We are a UK registered charity and our projects target 15 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
You can see all of our ongoing projects on our website; butterflyspacemalawi.com.

Some of our projects include: a well established international standard primary and nursery school, a vocational training centre, community based libraries, IT, resource and media center, Permaculture after school clubs (in 22 schools), community outreach programs to deliver workshops based on sustainable and regenerative agriculture, tree planting projects, and empower and support community groups including disabled people, and women's groups.

Butterfly Space has hosted volunteers since 2011. We provide and encourage ethical volunteering and internships to respectfully work alongside and educate our community. There is an emphasis on exchanging knowledge and experience as projects are diverse and self-sustaining where possible and are staffed by local people who work alongside the volunteers.
“Our vision is to develop and support beneficial sustainable projects which empower those who benefit from them to govern, encourage and develop them, encouraging self advocacy, self development and motivation”

Volunteers can be matched with the projects they feel they are most passionate about and are encouraged to come with new ideas and make their mark. Volunteers will receive guidance and support both before they arrive and during their stay about the organisation, projects, travel advice, health and safety, and are welcomed to discuss, develop and implement their new ideas, fundraise and provide ongoing support. 

We run a non-profit eco-lodge, which also provides a hub for our community projects, while financially supporting them. Butterfly Lodge is open to travelers and volunteers, and offers amenities to make sure volunteers are comfortable during their stay and also...have fun! 
Accommodation rates start from >$10 per night plus food.

We do not charge a fee for volunteering. We try to encourage our projects to be community led and financially self sustaining. That said, fundraising before hand, and donations are always hugely appreciated and means more support to all projects, so we do encourage this!

We aim to provide a genuine, unique and affordable experience for people wanting to join our community and have an experience that supports our projects, while enjoying the beautiful location on the lake and the warm Malawian culture. 

All of our projects are located around the Nkhata Bay district and Butterfly Space lodge is used as a hub to plan, discuss and debrief after a days volunteering, as well as to relax, socialize with locals, travelers and other volunteers while enjoying the beautiful lake's crystal clear waters and the surrounding lush permaculture gardens. Nkhata Bay is a 15 minute walk, and a bustling ferry port and market town, rich in culture and beautifully nestled into a beautiful bay on the lake shore. It is lively both during the day and in the evening, and is a very welcoming and safe hub for volunteers to explore.

11 reviews · rating5

Judith Weymont rating5

2020 at E.A.R.T.H Workshops

Volunteering through Butterfly Lodge in Malawi has been a real treat,the people are great, the climate wonderful, the food good and the water safe to drink. Working with local people on the edge of Lake Malawi is a bit like working in paradise and its fun. I have spend time helping to train small ...
I volunteered at Butterfly Space, Nkhata Bay Malawi for a few months in December 2019 - March 2020. I was really attracted to the community focus and community feel of Butterfly Space and the lakeside location was an absolute bonus! Josie and AJ have worked tirelessly over the years to focus on ...
Imogen Steuart-Feilding rating5

2020 at Stepping Stones Primary, & Nursery School

Stepping Stones is a project run by Butterfly Space, in Nkhata Bay. There are almost 220 students in the school, coming from a range of socio-economic backgrounds. The school was set up a few years ago and it is now very established in the local area. I was helping to run the school in my ...
I visited Malawi in May 2019. I meet my friend in Nkhata Bay and we stayed in Butterfly Space. We had previously heard of this place through Instagram and really like everything we read about it. I volunteered in one of the nursery’s and I really enjoyed it. I can’t wait to be back next year! ...
I volunteered at the Butterfly Space with my close friend Heather for around 5 weeks in the summer of 2019. We went into this experience a little nervous but very excited, and we had no idea how lucky we were to be able to become a part of the Butterfly family for the time we were there and long ...
Myself and my friend Erin came over to butterfly space as newly qualified physios, we divided our time between a few different projects including supreme (a social enterprise providing reusable sanitary products for school girls) and the local nursery school. Primarily we spent most of our visit ...

Location

Africa > Eastern Africa > Malawi > Nkhata Bay

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