What was it like to experience volunteering in Malawi?
By Emelli Laleska, Development Volunteer team April 2024
Malawi - one of the poorest countries in the world...
Malawi is among the least developed and poorest countries in the world, with approximately 50% of the population living below the national poverty line and 25% in extreme poverty. This was the reality I expected to encounter. However, the project I was assigned to was located within one of the largest refugee camps in Africa, where the challenges were even greater.
Being in direct contact with these two distinct realities—the local communities and the refugee camp—revealed not only the scarcity of resources and the daily struggles but also incredible stories of resilience and hope that made this experience even more transformative.
As a volunteer, I worked as a preschool supervisor alongside another Development Instructor. The preschools served children aged 3 to 7, though it was not uncommon to see infants under one year old. Our goal was to understand the schools’ needs and find ways to collaborate with the community to address them.
In the communities of Dowa, each preschool typically served only the children of that specific area. The long distances between villages and the strong sense of belonging made it impractical for children to attend schools outside their own communities. Despite encouragement for the creation of preschools, many operated without financial support for infrastructure, student meals, or teacher salaries. In our area of work, all teachers were volunteers—an inspiring demonstration of the community’s dedication to ensuring education for their children.
The schools’ conditions were extremely precarious: most had no windows, tables, chairs, or proper roofing. This made it impossible to hold classes during the rainy season. Additionally, there was a constant challenge in retaining volunteer teachers and securing partnerships to provide the traditional porridge offered at schools—often the only meal these children would have for the entire day.
.....and a refugee camp of 60.000 people
If education in local communities already faced enormous obstacles, the situation within the refugee camp was even more critical. While the villages had a strong sense of unity and collective effort, such cohesion was harder to find in the refugee camp. Its population was made up of people from different countries and cultures, with no established community structure. Furthermore, refugees were not allowed to work outside the camp or earn wages, making access to education even more challenging.
Although schools existed within the camp and were free, they could not accommodate all the children. To attend classes, many had to pay a small fee—an amount that, for most families, was simply unaffordable. As a result, even those who dreamed of studying often found their aspirations blocked by insurmountable financial barriers.
Education is the key to a better future
During the volunteer period, we dedicated ourselves to building a new school in the refugee camp – a significant challenge due to the lack of resources and the bureaucratic barriers involved. At the same time, we implemented community garden projects, providing food for the children and generating surplus for sale, which allowed for the purchase of essential materials for the school.
This experience in Malawi showed me that education is more than just a right—it is the key to a better future. However, for many children, this door remains locked by obstacles ranging from a lack of resources to the absence of opportunities.
I believe that supporting these children’s access to education is about more than just providing knowledge; it is about ensuring dignity in the present and hope for a future with greater possibilities.
