Day Trip Blantyre Community Project Explorer

This is a wonderful opportunity to spend a morning within the community, see the fantastic work of the NAYO organization, learn some Malawian dance moves and sample some true Malawian Cuisine.

In 2003 a group of young people started a community youth club in response to the increasing immoral behavior amongst the youth in this area. With determination, they established an organization called NAYO and was registered in June 2004. Recognizing that young people from Nancholi had little to do in their spare time the Youth Organization decided to create a number of programs to involve young people within this area, which included tree planting, fertilizer distribution to local farmers, and volunteering in home based care programs.

What to wear

Men: Wear anything casual like pair of khaki trousers/shorts and shirt or jeans and t-shirt

Women: Nancholi is more like a village as such women are not expected to wear short skirts/shorts; a long skirt/dress or pair of long shorts/trousers can be worn.

Other Expectations

• Expect to either be followed by children as you go around the village; these kind of tours are new to this village as such calling attention from locals
• Malawians have different ways of welcoming or saying goodbye to visitors; and singing is one of them. Therefore, do not be surprised to see people welcoming you by singing as soon as you arrive or as you are leaving – they would do the same to any visitor including local visiting Malawians.
• Do not feel awkward when offered seats in front of the children – Malawians give visitors the best seats, food, places to sleep, etc. to express how important/welcome the visitors are. The same may happen when you visit any Malawian home.
• Be prepared to witness different performances done by Nancholi youth – culturally this is how visitors are entertained in Malawi- just sit back and enjoy the show!
• If a child or anyone kneels down when giving you something, do not be alarmed! This is how Malawians show respect to elders or visitors.
• Greeting by shaking hands is normal in Malawi – it’s a way of telling you to feel at home or you are part of the group.

Tour Highlights

Orphan Care Centre: This tour will take you to an orphan care centre which is run and supported by the Nancholi Youth Organisation. The centre supports about 120 orphans through its feeding program as well as pre-school education. In order to ensure sustainability of the feeding program, the village chief donated land to NAYO and together with some local volunteers they grow maize & soya that is used to prepare porridge for the children at the centre.

Visit Child Headed Family: Families headed by children have been one of the challenges faced by Nancholi area. These families face different problems like lack of food, clothing, school resources, parental support & guidance as well as proper housing.

Visit Home Based Care Patient: Like many areas in Malawi, Nancholi also faces a big challenge when it comes to HIV/AIDS such that the organisation introduced a Home Based Care program where local volunteers are trained to assist those infected with both their treatment and daily needs like bathing, cleaning the house, laundry and drawing water.

Lunch at A Home: An opportunity to visit a home and taste local food as well as a chance to learn more about the family and get dirty in the field. Different foods including Malawi’s traditional dish called Nsima will be prepared for you. If you are not sure about any food being offered at a home, it is ok to say no and if you have any allergies please let us know before eating any food.