Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Mwaya Beach?

You will find complete instructions in the document entitled Getting to Mwaya Beach. This document is also part of the Volunteer Handbook which will be sent to you with your placement offer.

How much does it cost to live at Mwaya Beach?

There is a guide to typical costs in the Additional Costs section on the Costs to Volunteer page. There are also further details in the Volunteer Handbook which will be sent to you with your placement offer.

What clothing do I need to bring?

A suggested packing list is included in the Volunteer Handbook which will be sent to you with your placement offer.

Can I drink the water at Mwaya Beach?

Yes, you can drink the water as it comes from a borehole. There is no need to bring water purifying tablets.

Where do I buy my food?

Normally, the volunteers have a “kitty” and most basic food can be bought locally, i.e. fruit, vegetables, bread, drinks. There is a supermarket in Chintheche (15 mi away) where you can buy breakfast cereals, etc. Your ‘big shop’ will be in Mzuzu where there are a variety of different food shops, pharmacies, etc.

Can I swim in the lake?

The short answer is ‘yes’ with some degree of caution.

People are often worried about bilharzia (schistosomiasis) and, although this is present in most African freshwater lakes, it is normally found where there are reeds, water snails, slow-moving water and people. At Mwaya, there are no reeds and there is good wave action. To our knowledge, none of our volunteers have contracted bilharzia.

However, there are crocodiles and hippos in some of the rivers and these are occasionally washed into the lake during the rainy season (we have seen them off the beach several times in recent years). We do advise volunteers not to swim between 6pm and 6am because crocodiles are at their most active at night, and we strongly recommend volunteers to be very careful if they go swimming in the lake during the rainy season. Our local staff will be able to tell you if crocodiles or hippos have been seen so ask them before you go into the lake to be on the safe side!

How many volunteer opportunities in Africa are there? How many volunteers will be staying at Mwaya Beach, and what ages and gender?

There are usually between two and eight volunteers at Mwaya at any one time. Our volunteer opportunities in Africa are normally aimed at graduates, but we recruit various people who are dedicated to helping the local community and who we feel have suitable abilities. We welcome volunteers of all ages from 23 to 60+ years old – you are never too old to have an adventure! The majority of our volunteers are female, but the number of male volunteers is increasing, and there have been some couples who have volunteered.

What is the accommodation like and is it shared?

There are four volunteer chalets which are large (23 ft by 16 ft), light, airy and comfortable. Each one can sleep up to two or three people. Beds, bed linens (pillowcases and sheets), pillows, blankets, and mosquito nets are provided. Normally, you will either have a chalet to yourself or share with one other person. However, during busy times there may be three people to a chalet. There is a toilet and shower block with two showers and three flushing toilets, a kitchen and storeroom, complete with a fridge, and a large covered meeting area and deck overlooking the lake.

Do tourists stay at Mwaya Beach as well?

We do have some visitor accommodations and occasionally tourists stay at Mwaya Beach if there’s room. In addition to the volunteers’ chalets, we have two chalets for short stays and guests, and we also have three cottages at a nearby property called Lowani Beach where visitors may also stay. We charge $30 per person per night (paid prior to arrival) for accommodation in the chalets and cottages (if available), which includes food and soft drinks. We are not actively trying to attract tourists – our main focus is to provide a good base for our volunteers.

Can my family and friends stay at Mwaya Beach?

Yes, they can as long as there is enough room (see paragraph above). The charges are as follows:

$30 per person per night (paid prior to arrival) for accommodation in the chalets and cottages (if available), which includes food and soft drinks.

Returning volunteers coming as visitors, or volunteers working in other parts of Malawi, the cost is $10 per person per night (subject to availability), and MK8,000 per person per day for food and drink.

The charges above and all money from visitors is paid into the Ripple Africa running expenses fund.

Who runs Mwaya Beach?

Morton (Mwaya Manager) and Dan (Volunteer Projects Manager) manage all the staff, assist the volunteers, and deal with day-to-day operations.

What is the climate like?

Please read The Seasons section on the Malawi Facts and Figures page.

How safe is it in Malawi and at Mwaya?

Malawi is pretty safe and its people are some of the friendliest you are likely to meet in Africa. Our volunteers say that they haven’t been worried about walking around locally after dark and, because of the work Ripple Africa and the volunteers are doing for the community, the locals seem to be very protective of those staying at Mwaya Beach. It is a great place if you are looking for a volunteer opportunity in Africa however, as with any country in the world, you do have to be careful as the cities and towns in Malawi have their fair share of con artists and thieves. Our advice is to be sensible about carrying money and valuables, as you would be in cities in the West. Matete also has several bars and we would advise that you do not visit these or wander around too much after dark to avoid any potential issues. It is important to bear in mind that Malawi is in the top 10 of the world’s poorest countries and, although $1 is not a fortune to us, it is the average daily wage for a Malawian — if they’re lucky enough to have a job. This being said, we’ve never felt threatened by anyone in Mzuzu or Lilongwe — there’s just the annoyance of people coming up and trying to sell you anything from wood carvings to windscreen wipers!

Is there electricity at Mwaya Beach?

There is now electricity at Mwaya Beach, however, Escom, the electricity provider, is not very reliable and there are frequent outages. There is limited solar power in the office used to run the fridge in the kitchen storeroom. We use paraffin lanterns at night and cook on a wood-burning stove. If you bring phone or computer chargers, a normal UK plug will work in the chalets.

Will I have any free or leisure time?

Yes, you will have plenty of free time, and you can enjoy the beach, swimming, reading, playing games with local children, and other simple pastimes. There are some wonderful walks in the area, and you can visit Kande Beach where you can mix with other tourists and have a beer, or stay at Mayoka Village in Nkhata Bay and enjoy their Friday night Meat Feast barbeque.

What are the major health risks with volunteer opportunities in Africa?

The most significant health risk is malaria. It is essential that all volunteers take malaria prophylaxis — please speak to your doctor about this. We recommend that you use an insect repellent in the late afternoon and/or wear long trousers, long-sleeved shirts, etc. All of the beds have mosquito nets which are treated with an insecticide twice a year. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis), is present in Lake Malawi but is easily treatable. To our knowledge, none of our previous volunteers who swam regularly in the lake have contracted the disease. Rabies is also present in Malawi, and we advise all volunteers to have a rabies vaccination if possible. Full details about recommended vaccinations, as well as a list of suggested medicines to bring with you, are in the Volunteer Handbook, which will be sent with your placement offer.

Is there a hospital nearby?

There is the Community Dispensary at Mwaya, and Health Centers at Kachere (4 mi to the south) and Kande (4 mi to the north), but it is unlikely that they would be able to help in an emergency. We recommend our volunteers are taken either to Matiki hospital, located on the Illovo sugar estate at Dwangwa, about 62 mi south of Mwaya (about an hour’s drive), or to St John’s Hospital in Mzuzu (about 1½ hours’ drive). They are both well-equipped facilities with qualified doctors, clinical officers, and trained nurses. There is also a private hospital in Nkhata Bay, although you will have to pay for tests or treatments, which are very reasonable compared to private hospitals in the West.

What medicines would you recommend me to take to Malawi?

As previously mentioned, a malaria prophylaxis is essential. We have found that having a broad spectrum antibiotic on-hand, such as ciprofloxacin, is also very useful for treating serious diarrhea and vomiting. A First Aid kit is highly recommended, equipped with some rehydration salts for an upset stomach, antibiotic cream, and iodine tincture or an iodine-based antiseptic cream (e.g. Betadine ointment) for treating wounds and sores, along with some bandages. There is a pharmacy in Mzuzu and several in Lilongwe where you can buy most medicines that you are likely to require. However, we strongly advise you to consult your doctor before travelling. Full details about recommended vaccinations and a list of suggested medicines to bring with you are in the Volunteer Handbook, which will be sent to you with your placement offer.

What money should I take with me?

We recommend that you bring American dollars as these are easily exchanged at any bank. Also, bring $50, $20 and $10 bills which are widely accepted as payment for safaris, visas, and other lodging. Do not bring $100 bills as no one will accept them because there are so many counterfeit bills circulating in Africa. We do not recommend that our volunteers bring Traveler’s Checks as they are difficult to exchange and there is sometimes a limit to the amount that can be exchanged at one time. Please note that if you do bring Traveler’s Checks, you will be required to produce the original copy of your receipt when cashing them at a bank.

Can I obtain cash with my credit card?

Yes, there are ATMs in Lilongwe and Mzuzu, but there is not an ATM that accepts foreign credit/debit cards in Nkhata Bay.

Can I change money on arrival?

You will not be able to obtain any Malawi kwacha before you arrive, but you can exchange money at the airport and often at border crossings. It is a good idea to be aware of the exchange rate before you arrive in Malawi.

Is the charity registered?

Yes, Ripple Africa, Inc. in the USA is registered as a 501(c)3, and the EIN is 26-2059213. Ripple Africa in the UK is registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales, registration number 1103256, and with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), registration number SC043082. 

How should volunteer fees and donations be paid?

In the email with your placement offer, there will be a link to a payment page on our website where you will be able to pay your volunteer fees online with a debit or credit card. Donations can be made online via the Ripple Africa website by clicking on the Donate button at the top of each page.

Volunteer fees and donations can also be paid by Bank Giro Credit or online by direct bank transfer into our Bank account, and Ripple Africa’s Bank account details can be found on the Donation Form. 

Can I bring books for the children?

Your luggage weight allowance will limit what you can bring. However, the children love learning about their country and Africa in general so any fiction where the central characters are Africans will be a great hit. There are some bookshops in Mzuzu and Lilongwe which sell books like this, so you may want to consider bringing money with you and buy the books in Malawi. Although many people have collected lots of things for the community at Mwaya, shipping is very difficult because postage/shipping is incredibly expensive. The way in which you can help most is by making a cash donation to help fund our range of education, healthcare, and environmental projects. 

Can I bring prizes and gifts for the children?

Everyone at Mwaya has so little that singling out a select few to give things to is very difficult. It is sometimes useful to bring things that can be used by groups of people, for example a football. Sometimes the students who come for extra lessons at Mwaya Beach may be given a small item, for example a pen. However, if you give gifts out at school, you would probably be mobbed. The best thing you can give the children is your time, energy, and enthusiasm.

What should I bring?

A suggested packing list is included in the Volunteer Handbook which will be sent to you with your placement offer.

Where can I email/telephone from?

Although limited, internet at Mwaya Beach can be accessed via a mobile internet connection, for which you will need an internet enabled Airtel SIM card. More detailed information about this can be found in the Volunteer Handbook which will be sent to you with your placement offer. There is a satellite internet connection at Kande Beach, and internet cafes in Chintheche, Nkhata Bay, Mzuzu (62 mi away), as well as in Lilongwe. There are telephones in Mzuzu and Lilongwe, but the closest telephone for you to use while staying at Mwaya is at Kande Beach (6 mi away), although it doesn’t always work. Because we now have cell phone reception at Mwaya Beach, we strongly advise you to bring your own cell phone with you (make sure it is “unlocked” and can be used on any network) and buy an Airtel SIM card at Lilongwe Airport upon arrival. You can then purchase phone credits which can be used for calls and/or access to the internet. Top up vouchers are available to buy locally in Matete, Kande, and Kachere.

Can I send and receive letters at Mwaya?

Letters can be sent and collected from the Post Office in Chintheche (15 mi away) where we have a PO Box. Family and friends sending letters to you need to be addressed as follows:

Your Name
c/o Ripple Africa
P O Box 75
Chintheche
Nkhata Bay District
Northern Region
Malawi

However, please be aware that letters and packages can take between two weeks and three months to arrive! Occasionally, some letters and packages never arrive at all.

How do I travel around in Malawi?

You can walk or cycle locally. For traveling longer distances, there are buses, minibuses, and local taxis. The cost to travel to Mzuzu and back is approximately $10. 

What are the ages of the children at the preschools?

The children at the preschools are between two years to six years old, after which they move into Standard 1 at their nearest primary school.

Volunteer opportunities in Africa – what will I be helping with?

You will assist preschool teachers with teaching children the alphabet, numbers and counting, and how to write using games, songs, and rhymes. Previous volunteers have provided training for our preschool teachers and they are always open and receptive to any new ideas you would like to share. Helping at the preschools is truly inspiring and great fun! Please read the section about Preschools in the document called Information for Teaching Volunteers for more information.

How many children attend the preschools?

The number of children attending each preschool can be up to 70 every day. The introduction of the sweet potato project is encouraging more children to come to school as they are given tea to drink and sweet potatoes to eat.

What else can I do at the preschools?

The preschool teachers are always eager to learn new things and enhance their teaching skills. As a volunteer, you might consider conducting some teacher training classes at Mwaya Beach on Saturday morning. or buy some paint (which is very expensive) and decorate the walls at some of the preschools.

What are the ages of the children at the school?

All the local primary schools in the area (Mwaya, Mazembe, Matete, Kachere, Chiomba, and Kasando) have eight forms which are called Standards. The children start in Standard 1 at six years old and progress through the school to Standard 8. Ideally, students in Standard 8 should be between 12 to 13 years old. However, students have to repeat a school year if they do not pass their year-end exams, making it possible for some pupils to be as old as 17 or 18 in Standards 6, 7, or 8. Please read the section about Primary Schools in the document called Information for Teaching Volunteers for more details.

Volunteer opportunities in Africa – Which students will I be assisting?

Our volunteers normally teach Standards 5 to 8 because all lessons are taught in English beginning in Standard 5.  This does not mean, however, that students are fluent which can be challenging for volunteers. Please read the section about Primary Schools in the document called Information for Teaching Volunteers for more details.

Volunteer opportunities in Africa – Which subjects can I help with?

You can expect to assist the teachers with English and math, and possibly science, geography, and social studies. Teachers closely adhere to the curriculum set by the Malawian government, but you may wish to bring a few books to have on-hand for use as supplemental resources. Please read the section about Primary Schools in the document called Information for Teaching Volunteers for more details.

What size are the classes?

The number of children attending the local primary schools can range from 450 to 1,000+, with between 70 to 180 children per class. However, not everybody attends school every day, meaning that a normal size class averages 60 to 80 pupils. Now that Ripple Africa pays for additional Malawian trainee teachers at three of the primary schools, the headteachers have been able to split some grades into two groups which has reduced the number of children in each class. Please read the section about Primary Schools in the document called Information for Teaching Volunteers for more details.

Volunteer opportunities in Africa – Can volunteers become involved in other areas?

We have had volunteers who have come to Malawi intending to work in the primary schools but found that they were better suited to assisting at the Health Center. Likewise, we have also had healthcare assistants who have changed course and ended up teaching at the schools. The important thing is for both the community and the volunteers to benefit from the experience.

What are the ages of the students at the school?

Typically, students should enter secondary school at 13 or 14 years old, but they can often be older if they have re-taken their Primary School Leaving Certificate exams multiple times. Please read the section about Kapanda Secondary School in the document called Information for Teaching Volunteers for more details.

Volunteer opportunities in Africa – Which students will I be assisting?

Our volunteers normally assist with all four Forms. All lessons are taught in English, although students may not be fluent. Please read the section about Kapanda Secondary School in the document called Information for Teaching Volunteers for more details.

Volunteer opportunities in Africa – Which subjects can I help with?

The most useful subjects to teach are English, math, and science (physics, chemistry, and biology). Generally, math proficiency in Malawi is very poor, so any help with this subject in particular would be most beneficial to students.

What size are the classes?

The average number of students in each Form is 50, much lower than at the primary schools. There are a comparatively high number of Malawian teachers at Kapanda so it may be possible to split the Forms for certain subjects. Please read the section about Kapanda Secondary School in the document called Information for Teaching Volunteers for more details.

Volunteer opportunities in Africa – How else can volunteers help?

A few volunteers have run training courses for secondary school teachers, especially in math and the sciences. We have found the best way to do this is to arrange with the headteacher to run the course at the school so the teachers don’t have to travel to attend.

 Can I bring medical supplies with me for the health center?

Yes, you may bring medical supplies, but we suggest limiting the amount based on what you can include within your luggage weight allowance. With potentially 8,000 patients served by Mwaya Community Dispensary and 13,000 by Kachere Health Center, please consider that anything you bring will be a mere drop in the bucket.

Volunteer opportunities in Africa – What will I be doing at the Dispensary and Health Center?

Specific opportunities available for volunteers at the Dispensary and/or Health Center depends on whether you are a doctor, nurse, medical student, or physiotherapist. We suggest that you read the documents called Information for Volunteer Nurses and Midwives, Information for Volunteer Doctors and Information for Volunteer Physical Therapists for more information.

Is there a translator at the Dispensary and Health Centre?

Yes, there will be someone to help with translation. Please ask for this service when you arrive at the Dispensary or Health Centre.

What is the local attitude to women?

In Africa, society is generally very male dominated, and women are generally regarded as second-class citizens. Women have a wide range of responsibilities including, but not limited to, cooking, farming, wood and water collection, and child rearing. Some women run their own businesses and hold senior positions in the community, but they are in the minority. Typically, men are usually the business people, although many men in our region are without employment as our area is quite poor. Locally, the educated men do understand that our volunteers come from a different culture where women are considered more equal to men, and generally treat them accordingly. As a foreigner, or ‘mzungu’ (white person), you will be treated with respect by everyone, but men traditionally prefer to receive instructions from another man. Ripple Africa is slowly changing that perception as we have employed a number of female project managers and coordinators, and most of the US and UK staff team (who visit Mwaya regularly) are female and have developed close working relationships with the local community.

What is the local attitude towards Americans?

We have been asked this question by a number of American applicants. To date, our American volunteers have not experienced any anti-American attitudes nor have we have seen any animosity towards other nationalities. There are large number of Muslims in the country (about 20% of the population), and they live in harmony with the majority Christian population. Malawi really is the ‘Warm Heart of Africa’, and you’ll see why once you get there.

Do I need to get a visa before I arrive in Malawi?

Most nationalities are not required to have a visa for Malawi prior to arriving in the country, however, you will need to purchase a 30-day visitor’s permit which costs $50 either paid in cash upon entry or you can apply for it before departure. Depending on the length of your placement, this can be extended. More detailed information can be found in the Volunteer Handbook, which will be sent to you with your placement offer. Please note that Malawian Immigration does not have a procedure for issuing visas to people entering the country to volunteer. We have been in consultation with the Regional Immigration Office in Mzuzu about this matter, and we have been advised that our volunteers can enter Malawi on a 30-day Visitor’s Permit.

What things can I bring for the schools, Dispensary/Health Center, projects, etc?

Your luggage weight allowance will determine the amount of additional items you can bring to benefit our projects. A previous volunteer suggested that it would be helpful to bring some additional spending money in case you wish to purchase items related to your involvement with specific projects. For example, you could buy footballs in Lilongwe, various school supplies such as paper, pens, chalk, crayons, etc., in Mzuzu, or possibly blackboard paint or paint for the pre-schools.

Should I bring a mobile phone with me?

Please see the question about emails and phones above. We recommend you bring a mobile phone and charger with you but make sure it is “unlocked” and can be used with any network. There is good Airtel reception at Mwaya Beach, although it can be sporadic. SIM cards are available to buy in most towns and villages throughout Malawi, or you can buy a SIM card at the airport or in Lilongwe when you arrive. Top up vouchers are available to buy locally in Matete, Kande, and Kachere. 

How can my family contact me in an emergency?

We advise you to bring your own mobile phone with you (see above) and, once you’ve bought your SIM card, send your phone number to your family and friends so that they can contact you directly. It is also advised that you give your family Ripple Africa’s Volunteer Program Manager’s number too.

What is the normal luggage weight allowance on flights to Africa?

The weight allowance for luggage on a flight to Lilongwe with Ethiopian Airways or Kenya Airways is a total of 100 lbs (two bags weighing a maximum of 50 lbs each) per person plus one carry-on not to exceed 22 lbs. These allowances are subject to change so we recommend you check with the airline beforehand. Please note that airline charges for additional weight and/or luggage pieces can be quite expensive so it is best to pay careful attention to restrictions. 

Should I send a letter of introduction and/or photo of myself to Mwaya Beach before I arrive?

Yes, this is a good idea. You can e-mail these to Dan, the Volunteer Projects Manager — please contact us for his email address.

Volunteer opportunities in Africa – Can I travel to other countries whilst volunteering?

When you are in Malawi, you want to make the most of your time in Africa. Many of our volunteers travel during the school holidays, and a number have gone on safaris with Kiboko Safaris, a Lilongwe-based company which offers reasonably-priced trips to South Luangwa National Park and Victoria Falls in Zambia. The Responsible Safari Company is another safari option based in Blantyre and run by a couple called Dom and Kate Webb. They are supporting Ripple Africa’s woodland conservation and reforestation projects from contributions paid by their clients.

Volunteer opportunities in Africa- Do I need insurance cover?

Yes, you most definitely need travel insurance providing coverage for medical expenses (including repatriation), personal accident, and personal possessions. 

How do I get to Malawi?

Please read the Flights to Malawi section in the Getting to Mwaya Beach document which gives information about getting to Malawi by air. However, some volunteers have flown to Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania, caught the train south to Mbeya (which is the nearest town to the Malawian border), and then traveled by bus via Karonga and Mzuzu.