Malawi Sports and Teaching

  Malawi

• Other Cities in Malawi: 
Monkey Bay

Length of Position: 3- 6 months
Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Dates: The first and third Monday of each month.

Description: Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, with over half of the population living below the poverty line and an average daily income of less than 30 pence.

Based in Monkey Bay, on the southern shore of Lake Malawi, you will play a vital role in teaching children how to play different games and sports such as football, volleyball, netball and more. Your work will help the development of health and well being to the young children of Malawi. You can perform a number of roles on this project, some of which include:

    * Teaching sports in schools - popular sports requiring volunteers are netball, volleyball and football
    * Organize after-school events such as clubs, tournament and matches
    * Work with local teams to assist coaches & gain experience
    * Teach academic subjects in the mornings such as English, maths or vocational skills

Due to the weather, most sports activities are in the afternoons and evenings when temperatures are cooler. This leaves volunteers with the opportunity to relax on the beach in the mornings, go to local areas of interest or give more support to the schools through extra teaching.

Highlights: Malawi is a small and beautiful country in East Africa, renowned for having some of friendliest people and a huge diversity of scenery. Malawi has it all, from palm-lined beaches to remote wilderness and safaris. The country is dominated by Lake Malawi, stretching 500km down the Eastern border, estimated to take up about one third of Malawi's size. To the east and southern edges it borders Mozambique, to the west Zambia, and to the north-east, Tanzania.

The history is similar to that of many nations in Africa, its proximity to the coast both enhancing and encumbering it's development where early Portuguese settlers established trading routes, enabling the western settlers to exploit the locals into the slave trade.

Malawi became a British colony in the late 19th Century as European settlers competed to exploit the local resources. In the middle of the 20th Century, power returned to the local people when Dr Hastings Banda took over as Prime Minister. Banda was an oppressive dictator, who censored other ruling parties and escalated economic problems. It was only in the early 1990s that the opposition to his rule became strong enough to introduce a multi-party voting system. Banda finally lost power in the middle of the 1990s.

However, Malawi is still suffering from their politician's unfulfilled promises. There is poor access to health services and facilities, constant food uncertainty, high levels of malnutrition and high birth and dependency rates. In addition to this, more than 25% of children work to supplement family income, which adversely affects their school attendance. Malawi is amongst the 10 countries most affected by the HIV/AIDS endemic, with the average life expectancy at just 39 years old.

Cost in US$: from 1,749

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Malawi Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Written Application

Real Gap Experience's Mission Statement:

Real Gap offer over 350 projects and travel options in over 35 countries over 6 continents. So whether you are interested in volunteering, community work, conservation, paid work overseas, teaching English, learning a new skill, adventure travel or sports and expeditions, you will find what you are looking for with Real Gap.

Not only about we passionate about responsible travel, we are pretty keen on making sure you have a good time too! Our travel advisors have traversed the globe and taken their own gap years, so they can give you all the advice you need to plan yours. You will also get support from both our on-site and office staff who understand the needs and expectations of Real Gap travelers.

Year Founded: 2005