Blantyre accommodation, Malawi
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
This Blantyre accommodation has been established to serve the local community, environment and Malawi through individuals, groups, families and teams who have a desire to learn, understand and connect with other cultures and continents, and offers a starting point for these individuals and groups to explore and experience similar initiatives further afield, therefore contributing to a stronger and more sustainable network of friends and projects. 50 acres of mountainous grassland has been developed into a magnificent park, filled with indigenous trees and plants occupied by a multiplying population of antelope. From this we have shown the villagers by example what can be done to the environment in a relatively short space of time. It is from this little paradise and rest haven that we introduce our visitors into Malawi. After a days adventure or toil our guests can return and regroup.
Water and fuel pose a serious challenge to the villagers. We have brought water into one neighbouring village. It is our intention to purchase a manual drilling rigg and offer a service in exploring for and providing water. The villagers will contribute through the provision of labour and other resources as appropriate. We encourage the villagers to grow trees. The villagers have seen us grow a forest in nine years and now many come to the reserve to collect seedlings to plant trees for conservation and a future income. Sisal is also taken and planted to maintain and protect boundaries. We are distributing solar panels and lights, which also have the ability to charge mobile phones, this project has enabled people to have light for longer and to stop using parrafin lamps. We are further investigating options for renewable energy. This will be applied in particular to cooking, pumping and heating water. We believe this is the way ahead for us and the community of 20,000 people stretching across 100’s of square kilometres of difficult terrain.
Community
Our guests are able to engage with the community, visit the parks, reserves, scenic views walks and activities. Every year we have dedicated groups who teach in local schools, visit prisoners, help in the clinics, orphanages and churches etc. We employ 24 staff all from and living in the local community, offering a huge benefit to the dependant and extended families.
Within a 10 minute walk from the reserve we are continuously developing a community centre 'tilitonse' (we are together in Chichewa). From here we offer community development and care, looking out for the orphaned, aged and vulnerable. Health care and awareness, literacy and education for pre-school children. The centre is a point of contact for all, linking people and projects together.
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