Our Projects

Supporting a diverse grassroots projects on site and in surrounding communities.

Butterfly Space is a UK registered charity, based in Nkhata Bay, Northern Malawi. Butterfly is involved with, and supports community based projects and initiatives, both on and off site. Our projects focus on sustainable development, environment, education. Our goal is to empower communities to drive significant positive changes for their own communities, to make a long lasting impact.

Sustainable Development Goals

Butterfly Space proudly targets 16 of the 17 sustainable development goals, across our diverse projects.

Our involvement and networks have been nurtured and built over 16 years, working directly with communities and traditional authorities, building trust and getting to know and understand our local culture so we can make a real sustainable impact. 

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How We Began

Alice and Josie, the founders of Butterfly Space, became friends through their love for Malawi while they were volunteering with communities in Nkhata Bay. Alice had a passion for youth and art projects and Josie for information and gardening related projects. They had a common desire to incorporate these ideas into a space where opportunities could be created.

They bought the lodge in 2007 after realizing that Butterfly was the perfect setting to bring volunteers and the community together, developing a unique community space. Years on, the growing team remains passionate, working hands on in communities with thriving and growing community projects!

“Our vision is to develop and support beneficial sustainable projects which empower those who benefit from them to govern, encourage and develop them, encouraging self advocacy, self development and motivation”

Stepping Stones International Primary School

A thriving and inclusive nursery, primary, and vocational training school with a community library & resources. This inspiring school provides a space for the growth and development of unique talents for all.

Malawi Schools Permaculture Clubs (MSPC)

Empowering interested school teachers, in 22 rural schools, to deliver after school clubs. Each student works on permaculture principles to develop their plot and collectively they implement a school design.

Information & Resource Centre

A free to access multimedia centre and library which provides information on health, nutrition, environment and business. We offer IT lessons, and providing access to a range of offline open source resources using Raspberry Pi.

Environmental Demonstrations & Tree Planting

We deliver workshops based on real challenges that rural villages face in Malawi, using approaches that directly address these issues, teaching realistic & holistic approaches to empower communities to solve problems.

Disability Centres

2 community centers run by a committees of disabled people, which offer support services, skill sharing, and provide a space for opportunities for disabled adults and children. Nursery schools, study groups, vocational training, & workshops operate from them!

Youth Club

Located on-site at Butterfly and run by dedicated local youth leaders, we provide resources such as games, toys, arts, crafts, a playground and a small outdoor theater space for kids to express themselves.

Media Centre

A creative & dynamic space for Nkhata Bay's community which is full of media equipment & info, offering volunteers and the community to hold workshops & access software to record & develop video & audio editing skills.

Women's Groups

There have been a variety of women’s groups run by volunteers with skills they want to share. Butterfly creates a space for the women to learn, advertise and sell with support.

Nursery Schools

5 nursery schools have been built for the community around Nkhata Bay District. The nursery schools continue to be supported through feeding programs, donations and teacher training.

UJE Umampha / HIV Support

A comprehensive 3 month programme for volunteers to deliver to new groups, providing vital support for people living with HIV, including education, business opportunities and counseling.

Baby Baskets for new Mums

Regularly delivering a hamper of various necessities to new mums, meanwhile supporting Uje Umpampha (HIV) graduates, who weave the moses baskets to generate income.

On-site, there is a lively youth club, gym, information and resource centre, media room & recording studio, all of which are open to the community free of charge. The lodge is also used as a hub to run various training sessions and meetings, and to show environmental demonstrations to both the community and school groups. Projects off-site include Malawi Permaculture School Clubs (MSPC), a thriving international primary school called Stepping Stones, Mphamba & Pundu disability support centre’s, HIV support groups and more. 

Volunteers are welcomed to Butterfly Space to share and learn new skills, and support us to develop and grow our projects. Volunteering is free of charge, but volunteers are expected to pay for the services they use while staying at Butterfly Space’s non-profit lodge, which helps to financially sustain our on-site projects & other community work!

Donate Now!

Please support our projects. Without the generosity and support we have received over the years, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do! 

Our  100% donation policy means that every penny of your donations are spent directly on the environmental, educational and community development projects within these communities, without admin costs.

Thank you, from all of the Butterfly team!

If you are interested in getting involved in any of our projects, please take a look at out Volunteering Page. At Butterfly Space, we welcome people with all types of skill sets, and welcome volunteers and interns from all over the world!