The Manda Wilderness Agricultural Project (MWAP) was started in 2002

with the aim of improving nutrition in the Lago District through better

agricultural production and practices. In an area where subsistence

farming is virtually the only means of survival, MWAP encourages

farmers to grow surplus produce to sell to Nkwichi Lodge and other local

markets in the area. The farm is used as a demonstration plot to train

local farmers in agricultural techniques. The demonstration farm enables

villagers to receive hands on training without risking their own land,

capital or labour. MWAP also carries out training on demonstration

garden plots in individual villages.

What will you be doing?

• Sharing modern permaculture wisdom with farm staff and with local families on trips into some of the more remote surrounding villages
• Supporting a agricultural demonstration farm that supplies fresh vegetables to Nkwichi Lodge
• Implementing and experimenting with local and alternative agricultural practices to help improve productivity and moving towards self sustainable operation.
• Carrying out educational workshops and participating in regular agricultural training at the demonstration farm teaching new permaculture and agricultural techniques
• Supporting endeavors to fundraise for agricultural training including developing new fundraising activities, expanding networks, conceiving new project proposals and diversifying the arts and crafts produced at the farm
• Supporting farm staff by writing schedules and work plans and developing monitoring systems
• Learning or improving your Chinyanja (local dialect), Chichewa (national language of Malawi) and Portuguese (national language of Mozambique)

Who will you be working with?

During the project you will be working alongside an enthusiastic, international team of volunteers and staff who will be running other focused projects in the Manda Wilderness region. You will be primarily be working independently but in collaboration with staff and volunteers. On the demonstration farm you will work together with five local staff – John, Hilda, Jaime, Maria and Thomas.

Where will you be living?

You will be staying on site at the Manda Wilderness Agricultural Project, 10km south of Cobue, Mozambique. Accommodation includes your own private hut with an open-air shower and a drop toilet. All meals will be cooked on site using firewood in a fuel efficient cook stove (see picture below), incorporating fresh produce from the farm.  Rice, beans, and pasta are the staples during your stay with the opportunity to grow your own food in a nearby garden. During your stay, you are also welcome to try out the activities including snorkeling, canoeing, swimming, bird watching and remote village visits.

How will your day be spent?

Your day will begin to the chorus of lake birds and the African sun peering under your hut roof. Tiger, the Farm dog and the five dedicated farm staff will greet you in the morning. Your day will be spent working on the permaculture farm, sewing seeds, planting seedlings, monitoring growth, mulching, sharing permaculture wisdom and best of all, enjoying the delicious lemon grass tea break at ten. You can divide your workday between working outside at the farm and in the office on administrative work and fundraising. The day ends as the sun sinks towards the lakeshore. As the temperature drops you are free to take a swim at the beautiful farm beach, have a bite to eat or swap stories around the fire with other volunteers.

Skills and experience needed

• Experience in water management and water conservation techniques;
• Completed training from an accredited permaculture training course;
• Experience in management on a small scale organic agricultural project;
• Experience in tropical agriculture, conservation farming, agroforestry, and tree nurseries;
• Experience in community development working with subsistence and emergent farmers on a variety of livelihood issues;
• Experience in small-scale irrigation techniques;
• Experience with beekeeping;
• Experience in fundraising, or willingness to spend at least 15 hour per week on fundraising activities;
• Experience in natural building, mapping and/or design;
• Language skills in Chinyanja, Chichewa or Portuguese would be a plus.

This is a voluntary position for someone who will stay for at least 3 months, but preferences will be given to those willing to make a long term commitment of 6 months. All living expenses (food and accommodation) will be provided for long term stays and short term stays involve a small contribution to cover living costs.

We are looking forward to welcome you at Manda Wilderness!

For further information visit our website under http://www.mandawilderness.org

If you are interested in this position, please send a covering letter and

CV to Inês Gomes at mwap@mandawilderness.org.

Watch a short video about MWAP on YouTube to get an idea of the work we do!

Join our facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Manda-Wilderness-Community-Trust/278150290941