Volunteer opportunity at manda wilderness agricultural project

Discussion in 'Jobs, projects, courses, training, WWOOFing, volun' started by mandawilderness, Nov 23, 2012.

  1. mandawilderness

    mandawilderness New Member

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    We are seeking a person experienced in permaculture to assist the farm. This is a wonderful opportunity for a motivated person to use their expertise in permaculture/ agriculture and their creativity to make vast changes for the local communities.





    The Manda Wilderness Agricultural Project (MWAP) was started in 2002 with the aim of improving nutrition in



    the Lago District through better agricultural production and practices. In an area where subsistence farming is



    virtually the only means of survival, MWAP encourages farmers to grow surplus produce to sell to Nkwichi Lodge



    and other local markets in the area. The farm is used as a demonstration plot to train local farmers in agricultural



    techniques. The demonstration farm enables villagers to receive hands on training without risking their own land,



    capital or labour. MWAP also carries out training on demonstration garden plots in individual villages.

    Whatwillyoubedoing?

    • Sharing modern permaculture wisdom with farm staff and with local families on trips into some of the more remote surrounding villages.
    • Support a commercially sustainable agricultural demonstration farm that supplies fresh vegetables to Nkwichi Lodge.
    • Implementing and experimenting with local and alternative agricultural practices that could help improve the farms productivity and moving it towards self sustainable operation.
    • Carrying out educational workshops at the demonstration farm teaching new permaculture and agricultural techniques.
    • Supporting endeavours to fundraise for agricultural training including developing new fundraising activities, expanding networks, conceiving new project proposals and diversifying the arts and crafts produced at the farm.
    • Supporting farm staff by writing schedules and work plans, creating future proposals, developing monitoring systems and assisting with agricultural training.
    • Learning or improving your Chinyanja (Local dialect), Chichewa (National language of Malawi) and Portuguese (National language of Mozambique).

    Whowillyoubevolunteeringwith?
    During the project you will be working alongside an enthusiastic, international team of volunteers who will be running other sustainability focused projects in the Manda Wilderness area. In the office you will be working mainly independently but with the support of the community trust project manager. On the demonstration farm you will work with 5 local staff Hilda, James, John, Maria and Thomas. If you choose to be involved there will also be opportunities to work on agricultural workshops with some of the 20,000 people who live in the conservation area.

    Howwillyoubeliving?
    You will be staying at Nkwichi Lodge and sleeping in the volunteer village with other volunteers working on related Manda Wilderness community trust projects. Accommodation includes your own private hut with an open-air shower and a composting toilet. All meals are prepared by the chefs at the lodge, incorporate fresh produce from the farm and cater to all dietary requirements. During your stay you are also welcomed to try out the activities offered by the lodge including snorkelling, canoeing, swimming, bird watching tours and remote village visits.

    Howwill your day be spent?
    Your day will begin to the chorus of lake birds and the African sun peering under your hut roof. Breakfast centres around the big meeting desk with the other volunteers. From here it is a twenty minute walk along the lake shore, beneath the Baobab trees to the farm entrance. After passing over two bridges you will be greeted by Mwapi the Farm dog and the five dedicated farm staff. Here your mornings and/or afternoons can be passed working on the permaculture farm, sewing seeds, planting seedlings, monitoring growth, mulching and sharing permaculture wisdom. Not forgetting the delicious lemon grass tea break at ten. You can split your weeks and workdays between the farm and the office. The day ends as the sun sinks towards the western shores of the lake. As the temperature drops you are free to take a swim, share a drink, take a bite to eat or swap stories around the fire with other volunteers and guests staying at the lodge.
    Note that long term stays are preferred and short term stays will involve a small contribution to cover living costs. This a perfect opportunity for a recent graduate to get experience after their studies.

    We look forward to welcoming you at Manda Wilderness!

    For further information visit our website under https://www.mandawilderness.org
    If you are interested in this position, please send a covering letter and
    CV to Lily Bunker at [email protected].
     
  2. mandawilderness

    mandawilderness New Member

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    Skills and experience needed
    • Experience in water management and water conservation techniques;
    • Completed training from an accredited permaculture training course;
    • Experience in management on a small scale organic agricultural project;
    • Experience in tropical agriculture, conservation farming, agroforestry, and tree nurseries;
    • Experience in community development working with subsistence and emergent farmers on a variety of livelihood issues;
    • Experience in small-scale irrigation techniques;
    • Experience with beekeeping;
    • Experience in fundraising, or willingness to spend at least 15 hour per week on fundraising activities;
    • Experience in natural building, mapping and/or design;
    • Language skills in Chinyanja, Chichewa or Portuguese would be a plus.


    Please send a CV and cover letter to [email protected]
     

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