Become part of the Open Arms 'family'.
By volunteering your time in Malawi, you can support our dedicated staff in caring for some of Malawi's most vulnerable children - and see first hand the amazing difference this makes.
“For the safety of our staff and children, we have had a ‘no visitors’ policy in place throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are interested in volunteering with Open Arms Infant Homes please continues to register your interest with us, so that we can keep you up to date with future plans and opportunities.”
A volunteer visit can range from 3 weeks to 3 months. Over time, you will get to know our Malawian team and discover how best you can support them each day.
You can expect to get involved with all aspects of daily life at the Infant Homes, including caring for babies, working on maintenance, or helping in the nursery school with the older children.
You will no doubt learn how to bottle feed a baby, and give many hours cuddling and playing with babies and toddlers - who love the attention! These simple things are vital for early years development.
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 development work. Though one of the poorest nations, Malawi has well earned its reputation as the Warm Heart of Africa because people are so friendly and welcoming.
Apart from growing your skills and experience, meeting wonderfully inspiring people, making new friends and unforgettable memories, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a rich African culture and also explore a truly beautiful country. 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.
““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 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
Sound like something that you would like to do? We have volunteers join us from all over the world and all walks of life. Few people would say it didn’t change the way they thought about things.
Find out more and register your interest today
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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