Neil Barnes

Interested in volunteering and working in Africa for many years. A passion for sustainable development and social enterprise, currently working as a professional in the energy services/fuel poverty industry on a prestigious national Scottish Government contract. Now considering visiting Malawi with my family - possibly in summer 2020 for 2 months - and doing voluntary work. Interested in possibly returning longer-term for appropriate professional positions there. Possibly 2-year work placement. My wife and I have a very strong desire to provide this experience for ourselves and our children (7 and 9 years old). We have been considering this for years and are now actively researching opportunities. Having worked for 8 years in Greece and adapting very well to life there and picking up the language, I have a real ability to absorb and connect with new cultures. Having mentored a Somalian refugee and managed a Ghanian graduate, I am able to create very good rapport with people from Africa and other countries, and would like to extend this experience to build new meaningful relationships in Malawi itself. Inspired by the long-term work and thriving SMP, I feel this would be a great basis for our family to establish an exciting new and potentially life-changing opportunity.