The Projects

Main project:

You will be building ‘kitchens’ and ‘stoves’ for villagers who live near to Zomba.

In Malawi a kitchen is a small building separate from the living space, and it is only in these separate kitchens that Mbedza, our partner charity in Zomba, can assemble Esperanza stoves. Esperanza stoves are a life changer for the family as they are very safe and very fuel efficient.

Alongside installing these life changing stoves, Mbedza also introduces sustainable fuel strategy to appropriate villages. This involves the training of the villagers in forestry skills, planting tree nurseries and subsequently plantations of trees, which, with appropriate management can provide ongoing fuel for the stoves without destroying the trees. Illegal logging is rife in Malawi where whole young trees are just chopped down for fuel. This deforestation is a major problem which Mbedza are helping to tackle with this forestry management approach.

Mbedza operates a Hope and Wellness Centre in nearby Songani, where previous teams have painted and decorated for the charity. Mission Direct also assisted in the building of a multi-functional building for disabled children and their parents/guardians in Namadidi, a nearby community, and some painting and decorating may be undertaken there.

Main Partner: Mbedza

Like many other Mission Direct trips, you will spend the mornings on the work site and most afternoons are dedicated to outreach work. You will be able to meet some of the children and families within Mbedza’s projects. Mbeza’s goal is to alleviate poverty. Whilst in Malawi you will also have the opportunity to visit their other projects, including the ‘Heart of Mercy’ project for disabled children, tree planting, HIV counselling, Hope ambassadors and Mbedza’s secondary school sponsorship programme for orphans. During many of our excursions you will be surrounded by the local children and villagers who are keen to interact with you.

Rest and Relaxation

It’s not all work! During your stay we will ensure that we take time out to relax and see the local countryside. Locally there are the botanical gardens, William falls, and Zomba plateau. Within an hour’s drive there is Mount Mulanje to climb, a tea plantation to visit, whilst in the opposite direction Liwonde National Park is just over an hour's drive away. Lake Malawi is about half a day's drive away, but well worth a visit, for the spectacular sunsets over the lake. At the time of publishing we cannot guarantee what visits, activities and R&R may be possible; so whilst the look and feel of the trip will be similar to those previously the exact shape may be a bit different.