TeamLift, Inc.
Volunteer Non US Citizen
Yes
Categories:
Spanish Language Preferences:
Location Details
Description
TeamLift, Inc. is a U.S.-based NGO working exclusively in Malawi, Africa. Our mission is to eradicate chronic poverty in Malawi by addressing the related issues of education, health, nutrition and clean water with a focus on girls and women. For the past 16 years, we have developed facilities and programs in the Karonga District of northern Malawi including a secondary boarding school for 600 girls; a hospital and clinic; an irrigated farm; and most recently the digging of 245 boreholes (wells) in rural villages and in Dzaleka Refugee Camp to provide clean water to the poorest of the poor. We are currently also initiating the growing of sunflower seeds which we will process into cooking oil. 2025 ND Bridge students developed a detailed business plan for this project. Ownership and management of our facilities and programs is transferred to local NGOs. TeamLift continues to support the work in all areas both financially and by lending technical expertise.
Student Role
Our goal for students working in northern Malawi is to provide a mutually beneficial experience for the ND students, and more importantly, for the local people. TeamLift also tries to give volunteers a pretty comprehensive experience of the lives of our students and villagers. Depending on the skill sets and interests of ND students, it would be beneficial to TeamLift if ND Bridge participants work with our students to develop a series of marketing “pieces” that tell the stories of our secondary school and college students; work with at least two grades to teach typing and basic computer skills; develop a marketing plan for our new sunflower seed/cooking oil production; conduct eye exams for high school students in Dzaleka Refugee Camp and at other locations; design and facilitate an entrepreneurship program for our first cohort of college graduates; develop a basic health screen for our students at St. Mary’s Secondary School (if ND nursing students are part of the team). We are also hoping that one or more ND Bridge students will facilitate art, music and theater projects — which our students love but is not part of their academic curriculum.
Work Schedule
Based on our program needs and the experience of ND Bridge students in 2025, we are proposing a flexible work schedule for 2026 ND Bridge participants. TeamLift is committed to scheduling a five-day work week, with Sundays always being a day of rest. Because our students are in class until 3:00 on Monday – Friday, some of the work at the school must occur late afternoon and early evening, and on Saturdays. The schedule is flexible and we will work with our ND Bridge group to meet their needs and our St. Mary’s student needs. We want to ensure that ND participants have time for group- and self-reflection (we need to do a better job of this than we did in 2025), as well as an opportunity for physical exercise.
Orientation
It is my intent to be in Malawi during June while ND Bridge students are in-country. Staff members of TeamLift Malawi will be available and assist during the entire time that ND students are in-country. I will also be responsible for the orientation before arrival via zoom, along with Getrude Mbobe, a TeamLift staff member from Malawi. The onsite orientation will include a tour of the sites involved in the program and input from the four members of our Malawi staff. We will conduct that orientation shortly after the team arrives in Malawi and we travel from Lilongwe to Karonga by car. During the Zoom training, Getrude and I will address the history of Malawi, cultural sensitivities, the past and current work of TeamLift, Inc., and specific projects ND students would lead and/or participate in with our local team. During the in-person orientation, I will also invite a teacher and administrator from our school, and other local partners in our work to interact with the ND students. I will try to have three-four St. Mary’s students reflect on their experience at school. I anticipate this orientation to be very interactive.
Housing Information
In 2025, ND Bridge students were housed at the Ansesitazi Inn located in the village of Karonga. The Inn is a 20-minute drive from St Mary’s Secondary School for Girls, and we will have a designated driver for ND Bridge. During the early portion of ND’s stay, a couple of the bedrooms may be occupied by student engineers from the University of Portland. ND Bridge will have two bedrooms, each with two individual beds. Each bedroom has a private bathroom with shower. The facility has hot water and air-conditioning when the power is on. An emergency generator provides power to cook and eat meals if the power is off. The ND Bridge students will not have to assume any additional housing costs. We will share meals with the UP students for the few weeks where they will also live there. Internet access is available when the power is on. Students are asked to bring a supply of snacks with them for lunch since we will usually be off-site at mid-day. There is a wall around the Inn and a security guard on-site to ensure the students’ safety. Linens and towels are supplied and the Inn has laundry facilities.
Spanish Language Proficiency
Not Applicable
Other Language Proficiencies
Many adults and all children in Karonga speak English. ND Bridge students are encouraged to learn a few phrases in Chichewa, the local language.
Background Check
Immunizations (please note if any are required by your site below)
Drivers License
No
Student Preferences
Students need to be very flexible and adaptable since schedules and programs oftern change in Malawi. It’s important that folks enjoy interacting with people of all ages, are comfortable speaking to and working with small groups, are willing to participate in sports/exercise with St. Mary’s students, can teach basic typing and computer skills, are willing to lead or help in art projects, and can function without a great deal of supervision. My hope is that the team is willing to spend an hour in group reflection at least twice a week. What worked best in 2025 was the fact that our three students really got along well with each other, shared leadership of various projects, and genuinely loved and cared for our students at St. Mary’s. They often praised and thanked our cooks and drivers, and never complained when the power or internet were not available. There is not a lot of local night life or entertainment, and again they never complained. The Bridge students really enjoyed our Malawi-based staff who are incredibly kind and helpful.