Trip Application
2017 Friendship Trip Dates
- March 7-11, 2017 (VIP Health Strategic Planning Team)
- May 9-20, 2017 (Medical Team)
- July 11-19, 2017 (Friendship Team)
- July 25-Aug. 2, 2017 (Friendship Team)
Trip Overview
N’amangazi Farm will be your home while traveling in Malawi. The Farm is owned and managed by Blantyre Synod. There are conference/work rooms, a dining area and hostel style rooms. It is a working farm and educational center. There is electricity, hot water and mosquito nets over each bed.
Meals
Breakfast and dinner are provided at N’amangazi Farm. Typical meals: Breakfast—fried eggs and potatoes; bread and peanut butter. Dinner—rice, sautéed greens, and chicken or goat.
Pack snacks for during the day. Please bring extras to share with the Malawian staff with whom you will be working. Instant coffee and tea are available in the morning and evening. Feel free to bring your own instant coffee packets, flavored tea, or hot chocolate. Bottled or filtered water is provided at the farm. Bring a refillable water bottle.
What You’ll Be Doing
Your days will consist of working with villagers and our Malawian staff on various projects, getting to know our partner villagers and worshiping alongside them. At the end of your trip we will go on a safari at a local game reserve!
What to Wear
Malawi has several seasons, the rainy season begins in November and lasts into March. During the rainy season it is often sunny in the morning and rainy in the afternoons. June, July and August are the coolest months with highs in the mid 70’s and nighttime temperatures getting down to the 40s and 50s. The hot season begins again in October.
Women: Long dresses and skirts only, well below the knee. Do not bare shoulders, wear sleeves; t-shirts are fine. One Sunday outfit. Light jacket or sweat shirt needed. Sturdy sneakers or shoes for rough terrain and sandals.
Men: Casual, light pants, t-shirts and collared shirts. No shorts. Bring one dress shirt and tie for worship. Work clothes, sturdy sneakers or shoes for rough terrain and sandals. Light jacket or sweat shirt.
What to Pack
South African Airlines allows for two 50 pound suitcases and 2 carry-ons. We suggest packing one for yourself and packing the second one with items collected for our brothers and sisters in the village.
Items you will need:
- Bible
- Passport (no Visa needed)
- Camera
- Flashlight
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Cash (Malawi is a cash only economy)
- Hand sanitizer
- Anti-malaria meds
- Journal
- Pen/pencils
- European converter (if carrying electronics)
- Backpack
- Small gifts to offer people along the way, such as our hosts
Often people pack clothing that is worn while there but then leave them behind for our friends.
Items suggested for the villages:
You can help us collect items by asking family, friends and church for the following:
- Ibuprofen
- Adult/children’s vitamins
- Nebulizers/inhalers
- Anti-fungals
- Triple antibiotics
- Yarn
- Knitting needles
- Fabric
- Flip flops
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Soap
- Children’s percussion instruments
- Cash for needed items on the ground
- Lightweight blanket
Immunizations & Anti-Malaria Considerations
You may want to get vaccinations and medications for the trip to Malawi. We recommend the following course listed below. (Note: Your doctor or health-care provider will determine what you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history.)
To have the most benefit, see a health-care provider at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for your vaccines to take effect and to start taking medicine to prevent malaria.
If you are not up to date with routine shots such as the measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) vaccine, poliovirus vaccine, etc., it is recommended that you start there. The following vaccines are suggested for travel to Malawi:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- (We do not recommend the rabies vaccine.)
Cost
Ground Fees: $1200
Includes all costs while on the ground: accommodations, food, water, transportation, luggage handling, translators, cell phone availability, internet availability, tips, travel insurance, trip coordinator, and an overnight safari.
Airfare must be obtained by individual participants.
Email info@villagesinpartnership.org for questions or more info.
