“Open Arms is no longer working under locked-down conditions but we still have a 'no visitors' policy in-place. Whilst vaccinations and PCR testing are in place our policy needs to be clear to all staff. With seven sites we need to be extremely careful when we open up to visitors. A second reason for our unchanged position is on-going concern over medical facilities in Malawi as private health providers are not well set-up to deal with Covid-19 in Malawi. We are very grateful for the applications to visit our work and would encourage everyone who is interested to register their interest so that we can keep you up to date with any changes. We will review this policy in January 2022.”
What will I do?
As a volunteer you will spend time caring for babies, working on maintenance, or in the nursery school with the older children. You can expect to learn how to bottle feed a baby, and many hours of play and care for babies and toddlers who love the attention. These simple things are vital to early years development.
You will get to know our Malawian team and discover how best you can help alongside them. When you go for an Outreach visit to a rural village, or join a Nursery School for the morning, you will see another side of Africa and charity work. Though one of the poorest nations, Malawi has well earned its reputation as the Warm Heart of Africa because people are friendly and welcoming.
The timing of a volunteer visit can be from 3 weeks to 3 months. We encourage all volunteers to take advantage of the tourist experiences, such as Liwonde or Majete National Parks, Mount Mulanje, and Lake Malawi. We can help make these arrangements with you.
Volunteering at Open Arms was a defining moment in my life. If I had to summarise it in a few words they would be: 'fun, amazing, eye opening, beautiful, madness, best thing I ever did'” ~ Sharon, London
'There simply are not enough superlatives to describe Malawi....' ~ Corporate volunteer
The impact of Open Arms’ professional and efficient model is highly effective. The sustainability of returning infants to their communities, rather than keeping them institutionalised for their whole lives, creates empowerment and benefit reaching further than the walls of the homes. ~ Becky Bottle
““My time in Malawi was absolutely amazing. It was hard work, but then I expected it to be. I had such a fantastic time with the other volunteers, the staff, and of course the babies and young people at Open Arms. I can't wait to go back!” ” - Graeme, Edinburgh
Volunteering is an opportunity to help vulnerable children who appreciate the care, and see the amazing difference this makes. You will develop your skills, experience a rich African culture, explore Malawi, and meet some great people.
Sound like something that you would like to do? We have volunteers from all over the world and all walks of life. Few people would say it didn’t change the way they thought about things.
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Hello! My name is Nicole Loughlin, a 22-year-old from Ireland! Throughout the past year I have visited Malawi three times. The culture, the people and their kindness, along with my drive to make a difference and combat the developing/developed divide continues to lure me back to the ‘Warm heart of Africa’.
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It was a great pleasure to welcome Ashville College back to Open Arms this summer. A packed itinerary saw them helping in the Blantyre infant home playing with the children and getting to know more about what we do.
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The smiles of the children you help at Open Arms will stay with you long after you return home. Volunteering is an opportunity to help vulnerable children who appreciate the care, and see the amazing difference this makes. You will develop your skills, experience a rich African culture, explore Malawi, and meet some great people.
Read moreYour donation will help children in Malawi grow up healthy with the love of a family
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