Malawi
Use your Segal award to serve the warm heart of Africa.
Ways to get involved in Malawi
Here's what our partners are running right now. Pick a placement that looks like a fit and we'll send the current dates and costs.
Why AmeriCorps alumni choose Malawi
Malawi's placements sit in and around Mangochi, on Lake Malawi. The work is teaching support in under-resourced schools, childcare, tree nursery and reforestation projects, and construction. English is a primary language, which shortens the ramp up considerably. Housing is shared and simple, and the setting is rural rather than urban. Stays run one to twelve weeks and costs per week are low, so an award goes further here than in most places. Alumni who tutored or ran youth programs during service tend to find the closest match.
- Community projects based in the township of Mangochi
- Tree nursery and climate mitigation initiatives
- Placements alongside Lake Malawi, a major freshwater lake
Placements run through International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ).
Pricing in Malawi
These are our partners' published fees for Malawi, taken from their public fee pages, with the registration fee added in. Your final cost depends on the placement you pick and how long you stay.
Volunteer program fees in Malawi
Run through International Volunteer HQ. Fees below cover the full stay for that length.
Mangochi · International Volunteer HQfrom $739 for 1 week, registration included
| Length | Program fee | With registration | Per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 weeks | $410 | $739 | $106 |
| 2 weeks | $560 | $889 | $64 |
| 3 weeks | $750 | $1,079 | $51 |
| 4 weeks | $920 | $1,249 | $45 |
| 5 weeks | $1,090 | $1,419 | $41 |
| 6 weeks | $1,260 | $1,589 | $38 |
| 8 weeks | $1,600 | $1,929 | $34 |
| 10 weeks | $1,940 | $2,269 | $32 |
| 12 weeks | $2,280 | $2,609 | $31 |
What's included and what's not
What the fee covers
- Meals
- Airport pick up
- Transport to and from your volunteer placement each day
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country emergency support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Comprehensive in-country day to day support and guidance
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Not included
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
- All programs attract a Registration Fee that ranges from $329-$429 in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- You can exchange money at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, where there are licensed foreign exchange bureaux. However, the exchange rates at the airport are often less favourable than those offered in the city.
- If you're happy to wait until you get to Mangochi, Ray can help you exchange your money at a reliable exchange bureau after your arrival. The nearest bank and ATM from the volunteer house is around a 15-20 minute drive, where you may withdraw the local currency using your debit or credit card.
- We recommend budgeting approximately US$100 per week for personal expenses, such as snacks, soft drinks, meals not included in the program (up to two per day), and local transportation.
- As a guide, a lunch and drink in the business district typically costs around US$15.
- If you plan to travel or join tours on the weekends, we recommend budgeting approximately US$150 per day. Actual costs will vary depending on your travel plans, activities, and destination.
If you're using your Segal Education Award
Award funds have to go to a Title IV school, so your placement needs to carry academic credit. That required academic credit and enrollment fee starts at $999 and is on top of the program fees above. We'll walk you through it.
Fees change through the year. Ask us for the current Malawi numbers and we'll confirm them with the partner before you apply.
Common questions about Malawi
- Can I use my Segal Education Award in Malawi?
- Yes. Placements in Malawi run through partner organizations tied to an accredited Title IV institution, so AmeriCorps alumni can apply the Segal Education Award toward program and travel costs.
- How long are placements in Malawi?
- 1-12 weeks. Award funding is available for programs up to 6 months.
- What kind of work can I do in Malawi?
- We list 4 placements in Malawi, spanning Community Development, Education & Youth, Environment & Conservation.
Get the details for Malawi
Tell us whether you're after a volunteer placement or an internship and we'll send the current options, dates, and a realistic budget for Malawi, plus how to put your award toward it. No cost, no obligation.