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.
““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
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.
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.
Find out more and apply
For me, it started, rather unglamorously, in Sainsbury’s in Bath in 2007, packing up people’s shopping into those bright orange bags. The next year I arrived in Blantyre on a three week trip with Kingswood School.
Read more
Erin Brennan Burke spent the early part of this year volunteering for Open Arms during her gap year. We’re truly grateful for everything she has done to help the children in Blantyre and Mangochi.
Read more
In 2007 I made my first trip with my daughter, and in July I will return for my eighth visit. Each time it is like going home. I am always amazed at the country which has so much poverty but is so rich in its warmth and generosity to mankind.
Read moreYour donation will help children in Malawi grow up healthy with the love of a family
Donate