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GYC3086 - Orphanage Projects in Blantyre Country: Malawi Cost: £995.00 Cost Includes: The price includes accommodation, food, kit and pickup from airport but does not include flight, insurance or visas      Duration: 1 months Company Rep Nearby: All the time 0845 344 7585 or

 

	This placement would suit... a determined and committed volunteer, who would like to help in a local township on the outskirts of Blantyre. We work with many different orphanages in Malawi. Some are for very young children and babies and others are for older children. You will be expected to help with all ages! At the orphanages for younger children and babies there are trained carers, so you are there to help them and give general support where needed. Your support is very valuable to the carers as well as the children because it frees the carers up to use their precious time to concentrate on other areas, such as seeking out financial support for the orphanage, working on administration, and also on the day-to-day logistics of running an orphanage. Your help also affects the orphans immeasurably (which may not always be immediately obvious) because it gives them confidence with interacting with people from a different country which is normally very rare for the children concerned. By playing games with the children you also encourage confidence building for the children. It also encourages children to use English in an informal way, and even with the younger children it gives them exposure to the language at an early age. For many of the older children you are able to integrate education into games and also help with homework etc. Where children are not taught at the orphanage you will help these on their return from school in the afternoon. About your work Your work here will be to help the carers with the day to day running of the centres, and general care for the children. Most of your work will be to help and assist the carers with their daily rounds. You will also be asked to help clean equipment and various areas within the orphanage. It is difficult to be specific about the day-to-day work you will do, but you will get a good general feel of the orphanage by working and/or observing. The type of work you will be allocated will depend to an extent on your own abilities and capabilities, which is understandable given that you will be dealing with children’s health and safety. Your hours may vary, but normally you will work from 9-5 Monday to Friday. However, you may sometimes work evenings or nights, sometimes over weekends, etc., but you will have time off on other days instead. The level of education of the children is generally very poor, and it will be up to you and the Director to ascertain how best to use your skills. This may mean taking sport and game lessons or offering care for children, it may well be in the form of informal English or vocational teaching which is one of the biggest privileges to receive. You should be supervised all of the time while you are there, and you will be given help and directions. Your work load will depend on yourself and your attitude, with more work becoming available as you grow in confidence; and the staff with you. The work as a volunteer may include: Preparing food for the children. Helping the children eat Helping carers and caring for the children Occasionally taking the children to the hospital for immunization, treatment etc General cleaning of the compound and the orphanage. Washing clothes and the children Teaching informal English, Arithmetic and sports to the children Organizing and facilitating games and plays for the children. As a volunteer you will gain the following: Gain skills in working with the needy children Learn about Malawian society and life styles of its people. Gain experience in working with children in difficult circumstances As a result of your volunteer work, the orphanage, the workers and the society at large will benefit directly or indirectly as follows: Will get an opportunity to interact and learn foreign cultures Have access to free work force and services Will have their traditional knowledge and skills of doing care work supplemented with initiatives, skills and ideas which they will get from our volunteers. The children will have access to love and care which is fundamental for their growth and development. 0845 344 7585 Travellers Worldwide: Live and work abroad helping children, adults, animals and entire communities in less advantaged countries. Learn about their culture from the inside! Stay from as little as two weeks to as long as one year - you choose your dates and duration!