Testimonial - Alice       Alice's time with MVO Alice McCarthy From: England Aged: 20 Project: Malawi Teaching Volunteers Volunteered: July-August 2010 Duration: 4 weeks Where do I start? It's really difficult to express all my experiences and emotions about Malawi in these few words because there were so many special moments. I decided to go to Malawi for four weeks on the teaching project during my second year at university. I had just taken a module on International Education and Development which set my imagination running wild, and I was doing an education course in the hope of becoming a teacher when I graduated. I thought it would be a perfect way to gain some more teaching experience as well as being something exciting to do during those long, protracted summer holidays. Also, having done my development module, I knew that volunteers can make big differences in communities so I wanted to help as much as I could. I was nervous about going because I'd never travelled alone before and never ventured beyond Europe, but it was something I really wanted to do so I held my nerve. I am so glad I did. From the moment I touched down in Lilongwe airport I knew I'd love being involved with MVO. This was my first opportunity to meet my fellow volunteers and they were all wonderful. They were from all walks of life, of all ages, and probably some people I would have never otherwise have had the opportunity to get to know. From the outset there was a great sense of camaraderie and support, and I relished the opportunity to become more familiar with everyone as the days went by. The teaching project was amazing. In the mornings I would teach my class, Standard Six, English and we'd follow the curriculum. This was really interesting from my point of view as an Education Studies student who is normally chiefly exposed to curricula within the U.K. In the afternoons I would run additional lessons to help students who were struggling which was really fun because I could decide what I wanted to do and how I wanted to run the sessions. Stickers are one of the best things you can buy if you are going on the teaching project - the children worked so hard to get them and had great fun. Further to my teaching in the mornings, I read with children in the school library in the afternoons and helped paint its interior to brighten the library up and make it a more stimulating work environment. Some of the pupils helped us and it such a good laugh! I also had the opportunity to help out at an orphanage on a few occasions which was really rewarding - if exhausting! - and, as with the school children, it is so lovely to spend time with the children there and see their faces smiling up at you. It was great to work alongside the teachers too. They were so easy to get along with and had a great sense of humour. There aren't a lot of resources in the school but the teachers are examples that all the gadgets and gizmos we have at home are not the makings of an effective teacher, it is resourcefulness and commitment. It was great to feel like part of the community; the people of the surrounding villages were always friendly and everyone encouraged you to dress in the local manner and speak the language as much as you could. This was great way of learning a few phrases of Chichewa which helped you feel like part of the society to an even greater extent. Being immersed in Malawian culture gave me a much greater understanding of what it is like to be Malawian than if I'd just been a tourist in the area. Having said that, we got to be tourists on the weekends! There was the opportunity to partake in some amazing excursions such as safari and snorkelling, which were absolutely great fun. The entirety of my stay in a Malawi was an adventure from start to finish. Malawi was really a world away from what I was used to, so each day was a new and exciting experience. Every day something crazy happened, or something would challenge my assumptions. Matola rides (public transport) are more exciting than a day out at a theme park! I'm not going to say there weren't hard times; I saw some things which brought home the reality of life for some people in Malawi. However, these experiences are an absolute core part of volunteering in Malawi and I feel they helped me grow as a person. I have returned not only with a pair of rather jazzy 'Happy Pants' from Malawi, but also a new perspective on life. Volunteering as a truly life changing experience cannot be understated and you really come back with an appreciation for what you have in your life. Malawians are also so warm and generous in spite of all the odds which is a really inspiring thing to witness. The people I met in Malawi taught me as many lessons as I taught them! And, whenever it got challenging, there were always my fantastic volunteer friends to help me through. I couldn't recommend going strongly enough to anyone, although I must warn you, there's a bug they don't tell you about at the travel clinic that will infect you for a long time; it's the love for Malawi and its people, and if you're anything like me, travelling in general! Beware: this adventure will change your life! Alice back to testimonials If you'd like to make an enquiry about volunteering with us, please use the request form or visit the contact page.