How To Apply

We strongly recommend that you submit your application to us AT LEAST EIGHT WEEKS before you want to start your placement, but the earlier you send your application to us the better. We need enough time to process your application properly, and you need enough time to organise your flights, arrange your vaccinations (some of which need several weeks between injections), and prepare for your journey.

Before you apply, please make sure you know how much it will cost you to join our volunteer programme (see the Costs section for the current rates). We also recommend that you do some thorough research about Malawi, including transportation, healthcare, etc. — there are several excellent websites (some are listed in the Links to Websites, and Suggested Reading section) and guidebooks — and speak seriously with friends and family about the opportunity. If you are then still genuinely interested, please complete an Application to Volunteer with RIPPLE Africa form and return it to us by e-mail.

Before you make your application, please check the Frequently Asked Questions section as it covers most of the questions we've been asked to date. However, if you can’t find the answer to a question that you wish to raise, please ask us when making your application.

Our application process tries to ensure that everyone capable of living and working in such a unique environment. Also, places are limited for volunteers at Mwaya as we can only comfortably accommodate 10-12 volunteers at any one time.

What Happens Next

Following receipt of your application, we will assess where your skills best fit in with our projects, and we'll contact your referee for a personal reference for you. Once we've received a positive response from your referee, we'll email you with an offer of a placement on our volunteer programme. The e-mail will either ask you to confirm the dates you would like take up your placement, or it will give the dates for which your placement is provisionally booked. Details of how to pay your deposit and balance will also be given. In addition, we will attach a document comprising a volunteer agreement, a checklist of things to do before you go and what to take with you, instructions on how to get to Malawi in general and to Mwaya in particular, details of the induction programme once you have reached Mwaya, important health and cultural information, a short guide to the local dialect (ChiTonga), details of our Malawian staff, etc.

Important Note: Please do not book your flights until you have received a placement offer from us.

Application Form

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