This is a blog post written by Nikki Luxford, Corporate Partnership and Volunteer Programme Manager, following her recent trip to Malawi.

And here we have it, another Malawi adventure is complete. I have had the pleasure of meeting and working alongside the most inspiring and hard-working people, all striving for a better future for them and generations to come.

Seeing positive change across our Environment and Conservation Projects is remarkable. There’s more fish in our part of Lake Malawi, the teams have planted 15 million trees now and conserving more than 300km2 of forest. The 40,000 fuel-efficient cookstoves are working and have been audited so we can sell carbon credits. I love visiting our Education Projects and seeing the improvements of the little ones that attend our pre-schools. Our Family Planning and Sexual Health Project has developed and we’ve now go some men doing what is typically know as women’s work – let’s see how that progresses. Watching, first-hand, children walk for the first time because of our Disability and Rehabilitation Project is beyond words.

From the moment I arrive, Malawi makes me smile. I have made some wonderful friends here and met several new arrivals too! I literally have the best job in the World and, as I make my way back to England, I love knowing that these brilliant Malawian run teams will continue their hard work. Meaning that when I and the rest of the team are back in 2020, there will be more results and developments. If that isn’t providing hand up and not a hand- out, I don’t know what is! Proud to be part of the Ripple family.