Butterfly Space Non Profit Community Based Lakeside Lodge

Butterfly Space (registered UK charity no.1148162) is a non-profit lodge and community project in Nkhata Bay, Northern Malawi.

Butterfly Space has hosted volunteers for over 12 years, and we aim to provide and encourage ethical volunteering and internships to respectfully work alongside and educate our community. There is an emphasis on exchanging knowledge and experience as projects are self-sustaining where possible and are staffed by local people who work alongside the volunteers.

The projects are diverse and exciting with a particular focus on education and sustainability. There are several projects that volunteers can get involved in, some examples include:

• School permaculture clubs for 22 local schools (and counting) with gardens providing nutritious school meals and providing students with knowledge and encouraging sustainability.
• An inspiring primary school, Stepping Stones, teaching and supporting both fee paying and non fee paying disadvantaged children, staffed with a fantastic and dedicated team of local teachers.
• A community radio station giving local journalists experience and retaining the local language, sharing knowledge and bringing together the community.
• An IT and information sharing centre, media room and music production studio.
• After school youth club, nursery schools and a disability skill sharing centre (& more!).

Please see our website for a full list of the projects with further details for your information https://butterflyspacemalawi.com

We also run a non-profit lodge offering all of the amenities necessary to host volunteers and make them as comfortable as possible during their stay, with accommodation charged at the lowest rate possible to cover costs. Other than this, we do not charge a fee for volunteering with us, so we can provide a really unique and affordable experience for people wanting to join our community and have a unique experience that supports our fantastic projects, while enjoying the beautiful location on the lake and the warm Malawian culture. 

Volunteers are matched with the projects they feel they are most suited and passionate about and are encouraged to come with new ideas and make their mark. Volunteers will receive guidance and support both before they arrive and during their stay about the organisation, projects, travel advice, health and safety. We do expect some degree of independence and initiative while working with us, but there is always support from the management team and our fantastic Malawian staff within the projects. Volunteers are welcome to discuss, develop and implement their new ideas, fundraise and provide ongoing support. We are a community and we welcome everyone who wants to give, receive and share!

All of our projects are located around the Nkhata Bay district and Butterfly Space lodge is used as a hub to plan, discuss and debrief after a days volunteering, as well as to relax, socialise with locals, travellers and other volunteers while enjoying the beautiful lake's crystal clear waters and the surrounding lush permaculture gardens.

Around Nhata Bay and the local area: Nkhata Bay is a 15 minute walk, and a bustling ferry port and market town, rich in culture and beautifully nestled into a beautiful bay on the lake shore. It is lively both during the day and in the evening, and is a very welcoming and safe hub for volunteers to explore.