Butterfly Space passionately works directly with communities, to support diverse grassroot projects and initiatives both on and off site. With a focus on sustainable development, environment, and education, our goal is to empower and motivate communities to drive significant positive changes and make a long lasting impact. We are a UK registered charity and our projects target 15 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
You can see all of our ongoing projects on our website; butterflyspacemalawi.com.
Some of our projects include: a well established international standard primary and nursery school, a vocational training centre, community based libraries, IT, resource and media center, Permaculture after school clubs (in 22 schools), community outreach programs to deliver workshops based on sustainable and regenerative agriculture, tree planting projects, and empower and support community groups including disabled people, and women's groups.
Butterfly Space has hosted volunteers since 2011. We provide and encourage ethical volunteering and internships to respectfully work alongside and educate our community. There is an emphasis on exchanging knowledge and experience as projects are diverse and self-sustaining where possible and are staffed by local people who work alongside the volunteers.
“Our vision is to develop and support beneficial sustainable projects which empower those who benefit from them to govern, encourage and develop them, encouraging self advocacy, self development and motivation”
Volunteers can be matched with the projects they feel they are most passionate about and are encouraged to come with new ideas and make their mark. Volunteers will receive guidance and support both before they arrive and during their stay about the organisation, projects, travel advice, health and safety, and are welcomed to discuss, develop and implement their new ideas, fundraise and provide ongoing support.
We run a non-profit eco-lodge, which also provides a hub for our community projects, while financially supporting them. Butterfly Lodge is open to travelers and volunteers, and offers amenities to make sure volunteers are comfortable during their stay and also...have fun!
Accommodation rates start from >$10 per night plus food.
We do not charge a fee for volunteering. We try to encourage our projects to be community led and financially self sustaining. That said, fundraising before hand, and donations are always hugely appreciated and means more support to all projects, so we do encourage this!
We aim to provide a genuine, unique and affordable experience for people wanting to join our community and have an experience that supports our projects, while enjoying the beautiful location on the lake and the warm Malawian culture.
All of our projects are located around the Nkhata Bay district and Butterfly Space lodge is used as a hub to plan, discuss and debrief after a days volunteering, as well as to relax, socialize with locals, travelers and other volunteers while enjoying the beautiful lake's crystal clear waters and the surrounding lush permaculture gardens. Nkhata Bay is a 15 minute walk, and a bustling ferry port and market town, rich in culture and beautifully nestled into a beautiful bay on the lake shore. It is lively both during the day and in the evening, and is a very welcoming and safe hub for volunteers to explore.
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