Oasis + VOH: Malawi
Thank you for your interest and your patience as we have been working through the details of our first Oasis visit to Village of Hope: Malawi. Below you will find all the information you need for our upcoming trip.
Teams going to VOH:Malawi will be limited to 10 or fewer people due to limitations with lodging and transportation. Because there are so many of you who have expressed interest in visiting VOH:Malawi, we will be using an application process, you can find the application here.
There will be an information meeting September 29 at 940 Elmhurst Rd.
14+ Day Ministry Trip
Total cost: $7500 - tax deductible
Any funds raised or paid towards the costs of this venture are eligible for a tax receipt.
Travel Details
-
Depart Winnipeg Saturday January 11 or Sunday January 12 depending on final flight details.
-
Arrive in Lilongwe Monday January 13.
-
14 nights in Lilongwe with VOH
-
Depart from Lilongwe on Monday January 27, arrive in Winnipeg Tuesday January 28.
Costs Include
-
Flights
-
Transportation (vehicle / fuel / driver)
-
3 meals per day
-
Bottled water for your stay
-
14-nights accommodation
Additional costs not included above (covered by individuals)
-
Passport
-
Visit to the travel nurse in Winnipeg for any required vaccinations
-
Spending money for any incidental expenses, shopping, tips, etc.
Recommend approximately $500/Canadian per person.
Proposed Itinerary
subject to change
Week 1
Monday
-
Arrival day
-
Settle in at lodge
Tuesday - Thursday
-
Visit VOH families within Kauma for prayer, encouragement
-
Those with sponsored children will meet them, visit their homes, spend time with the children
-
Preparation for Chosen Sponsorship day
-
Visit the curio market and chitenje (African fabric) market; if people want items made, then visit the tailor to have outfits made
Friday
-
Kid’s chapel Each class performs/sings/dances
-
Awards ceremony for staff and children
-
Lunch together with VOH staff afterwards
Saturday
-
Day trip to Lake Malawi
Sunday
-
Church
-
Evening games and dessert at the Waltons’
Week 2
Monday
Chosen Sponsor Day
- Activities to be organized
Staff Home Visits
-
Malawians love receiving visitors in their homes and having people from Oasis visit them at home would be a huge honour
This will be similar to the household visits of VOH children
Other activities that our team may help with: Updating child growth charts (height and weight), donation distribution at the Center, sizing children for uniforms and shoes, and more.
This second week can be fleshed out more as we go along and depending on what people are interested in doing.
Additional Information
Optional Safari Experience
For those interested, an optional 3 day / 2 night safari can be added at the end of our trip.
-
3 Day/2 Night Safari $1000 (US dollars)
-
3 meals per day
-
4 game activities (land and boat safari options)
-
Sharing rooms ($120 extra if not sharing)
-
Transportation to game park from Lilongwe (4.5 hour drive)
-
Boat transfer from carpark
-
Daily park fees
-
Tourism levy
This includes covering the cost for one of the Walton’s to accompany the team on the safari.
Those participating in the safari would likely depart Lilongwe on Monday January 27
Other Important Details
Vaccinations
-
All participants will be required to visit their family doctor and / or the travel clinic for advice on required vaccinations.
Anti-malarial medication is strongly suggested
Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check
-
All participants will require a criminal record check and vulnerable sector check as part of the VOH indemnity form.
Fit for Travel
-
Travel to Malawi is a strenuous experience. Travel will take 28-35 hours, including a 14-16 hour flight between Toronto and Addis Ababa
-
Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world. Depending on the time of year air quality can be very poor (dust / smoke), and the humidity is extremely low.
-
Lilongwe is at 3450ft, so the elevation can impact the perceived strain of activities.
-
Some planned activities require walking long distances over uneven terrain. And as a passenger in a vehicle, the roads are incredibly rough and uneven.