Opportunity: Artist/paper-maker/teacher volunteer in Malawi, Africa

An artist position is open - to work in Africa. HEEED Malawi seeks to engage an energetic, adventurous, imaginative Volunteer – interested in creative recycling, made-made paper and drawing. The HEEED Handicrafts Project, under the direction of Alison Wiklund www.alisonwiklund.com has been developed since the founding of HEEED Malawi by WWF Finland in 2004 www.heeedmalawi.net. Preference will be given to a candidate ready to stay for one year, a minimum commitment of 6 months is expected.

The Volunteer would lead the HEEED Handicrafts Programme - working with the local primary school and using local fibres and waste paper – to make cards and books. In addition, HEEED is recycling bottle-tops into baskets, as well as bottles into drinking glasses and candle-holders. These products help provide an income for the community of Chembe.

The Volunteer will teach a group of youngsters a variety of skills, including marketing – so that creative recycling and care for the environment become synonymous with beautiful hand-made paper-products. This Programme will increase children’s appreciation of art and the environment and develop an income- generating activity (IGA) for this non-profit organization. The creative Volunteer will be expected to provide the blueprint and to build a sustainable long-term programme.

In return, Full Room and Board is offered to the successful applicant. The stipend provided will be dependent upon the candidate’s ability to generate income through the marketing of the various hand-made products. The HEEED Handicrafts Projects is a part of HEEED Malawi – a Malawian NGO - working to expand educational opportunities, to foster environmental stewardship, and to facilitate community development in Chembe and is administered by a Board of Trustees. HEEED Malawi is located close to Chembe village on the edge of Lake Malawi National Park – a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site with crystalline waters and more than 850 unique fish species found nowhere else in the world. The successful applicant would live at Tandy House – located within the grounds of Cape Maclear EcoLodge (see www.tripadvisor.com). For more information please contact the Volunteer Coordinator Addie Lindseth (adelaidelindseth@gmail.com and heeedchembe@gmail.com).