A Soulful Experience With Purpose
This is more than just a retreat — it’s a journey of self-love, healing, and global impact. Spend 6 unforgettable days immersed in transformational coaching, nourishing food, workshops for the soul and meaningful connection, all in a beautiful, peaceful destination.
And the best part? Every booking helps raise essential funds for Great Minds Bright Futures, supporting education and empowerment for children in Malawi.
What You’ll Experience:
- 6 nights, 6 days in the heart of Africa
- Daily meditation & breathwork
- Wellness workshops & coaching sessions
- Organic, chef-prepared meals
- Cultural excursions & community connection
- Airport transfer from Malawi & welcome gift
- A portion of every booking goes directly to charity
Gemma Lea Edelman
Social Coaching Specialist | Mediation & Conflict Resolution Facilitator | Access Bars Consciousness Practitioner
Gemma Lea Edelman is a passionate advocate for self-love, authentic connection, and personal transformation. With a background in social coaching, mediation, and conflict resolution, she helps individuals reconnect with their core values, build confidence, and create meaningful relationships—both with themselves and the world around them.
Her own journey of overcoming personal health challenges led her to redefine success, embrace imperfection, and live with deep intention. Now, she guides others to do the same, blending practical self-development tools with intuitive healing practices.
At the Malawi Transformation Retreat, Gemma will hold space for deep inner work, self-reflection, and the powerful journey of self-expression. From guiding mindful movement sessions to facilitating workshops on core values and communication, she brings a warm, down-to-earth approach to transformation.
She believes in the power of community, storytelling, and embracing the full spectrum of what it means to be human—messy, magical, and everything in between.
Christian Platts
Integrative Health Coach Specialising in Internal Family Systems, Myofascial Release and Sound Therapy.
Christian Platts is a multidimensional healer, therapist, and educator with over 25 years’ experience weaving together clinical, ancestral, and shamanic traditions. As co-founder of Active Health Group, he has trained thousands of therapists worldwide and worked with over 18,000 clients through Myofascial Release, trauma-informed bodywork, and integrative healing practices.
His path is rooted in Internal Family Systems, breathwork, sound therapy, energy medicine, and sacred ritual, drawing from extensive global experience with plant medicines and indigenous teachings. Christian brings deep presence, reverence, and a commitment to soul-centred transformation, grounded in service to both people and place.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
Why This Retreat Matters
Every Booking Creates Real Impact:
- Support for Local Schools: Your participation directly funds vital school resources and supplies, helping to create a better learning environment for Malawian children.
- Feed & Empower Children: Each booking helps feed and support 5 children for an entire year, including access to meaningful activities, play, and nourishment.
- Sustainable Change Through Education: By joining us, you’re not just healing yourself—you’re also empowering young lives through the gift of education and opportunity.
“Together, we’re creating bright futures for children in Malawi.”
Christian has been my teacher, mentor, bodyworker, therapist and, most importantly, friend. Few people I have ever met can match Christian’s ability to hold a healing space with such a delicate balance of firm gentleness and his willingness to deep-dive into the frontlines of trauma, pain and healing is truly special. His breadth and depth of knowledge, skills and experience position him uniquely to support anyone to reveal their purpose, connect with their Life force and heal in the most transformative ways. Any opportunity to work with Christian in this context should not be missed.
Gemma has a unique gift for bringing clarity to even the most confused, tangled minds and lives. No matter the situation, she helps you reconnect with yourself in ways that feel both profound and effortless.And she’s not just brilliant at what she does, she’s absolutely hilarious too with piles of character! Any event, show, or gathering would be infinitely better with her speaking/attending!
My wife and I visited Great Minds Bright Futures in 2023.
We were totally in awe of the work that is being undertaken for the children at Great Minds. The children look healthy with the daily feeding programme and happy with the range of activities that they undertake… We had such a pleasant and wholesome experience from visiting the children at Great Minds Bright Futures. Our lives are enriched.
FAQ
We offer three integration Zoom calls in the weeks following your return. These help process your experience, deepen your insights, and keep the connection alive and ground it back home.
Yes! Many people choose to stay and explore Malawi’s beauty. We can offer suggestions for enriching travel extensions.
Fly into Lilongwe International Airport. We’ll arrange group transport to the retreat venue in Dowa. Travel details will be sent after booking.
Some gentle movement and bodywork are included, but everything is optional and adaptable to your needs. Your wellbeing is our priority.
Yes. Our facilitators are trained in trauma-informed and responsive care. You will be held in a compassionate, safe space throughout your journey.
Meals are home-cooked by local chefs using fresh, nourishing ingredients. We offer both plant-based and meat options and can accommodate dietary needs with notice.
Each day includes guided workshops, breathwork, movement, somatic and therapeutic processes, group sharing, and time for rest, reflection, and integration. A detailed schedule will be shared before your journey.
Signal may be limited and Wi-Fi access can be disrupted at times. We encourage a digital detox to fully immerse in the experience. Emergency contact details will be provided for loved ones.
If you are on medication, have any allergies, illnesses, or a mental health diagnosis, please let us know during your intake process so we can best support your needs with sensitivity and safety.
Yes. While some participants have experience in healing or therapy, no previous background is required—just a curiosity and willingness to explore.
We welcome a diverse group of people. Most come with an open heart, a willingness to grow, and a desire to reconnect with themselves and others.
Of course. Just fill out our enquiry form via the Type form link and one of our team will be in touch to answer your questions.
Yes. We require all participants to have travel insurance in place before departure.
Yes. Please visit your GP or travel clinic for the most up-to-date advice on required vaccinations for Malawi.
If you’re travelling on a British passport for 30 days or less, you currently do not need a visa. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date.
Not at all. We’ll do our best to meet your needs. Please speak to our advisor at the time of booking to ensure everything is taken care of in advance.
You’ll stay on-site where the charity is based, in the centre of Dowa. The accommodation is simple and humble—shared rooms and bathrooms. Think of it as a chance to unplug and live more communally.
A minimum of £1,500 goes to the charity per person!
Absolutely. Many of our guests do, and we create a warm, inclusive group vibe where friendships naturally blossom.
Retreat Terms and Conditions
Included in the Booking
The price includes your return flights (From Manchester), baggage costs, accommodation, food and transfers in Malawi.
Booking Details
You must be aged 18 years or over to make a booking with us.
You must ensure all information you give is correct. Your flights will be booked from the information you have given us. Any changes or spelling errors should be communicated to us immediately. Any fees incurred from amending flight information will be chargeable. We cannot guarantee changes can be made once your flights have been booked. At the time of booking, you must provide us with your contact details and you must ensure that all names on the booking are identical to the names in the passports. If you fail to meet this obligation and we cannot reach you, we will not be liable to you or anyone else in your booking for any loss or expense you and they incur because of a lack of information from us about such a change, amendment, delay or cancellation.
Passport, Visa and Health Regulations
The participant is responsible for obtaining and carrying the necessary travel documents by the authorities, for any necessary vaccinations and for complying with customs and currency regulations. You must comply with all passport, visa and other immigration requirements. Your passport and travel documents must be in good condition – you may be refused travel if they are damaged. It is your responsibility to ensure you are medically fit to travel and fly. GMBF do not accept any liability for any of these issues you may incur. You are responsible for your own travel insurance.
Dietary Requirements
Please ensure you make us aware of any allergies or dietary requirements when making your booking to ensure the appropriate arrangements can be put in place.
Medical Conditions
If you need to make us aware of any medical conditions, please contact us to discuss this with a member of the team.
Refunds/Cancellations
All bookings are non refundable and dates are not transferable.
Changes to your flight
Flight departure/arrival times and flight durations may change which are out of our control. We will ensure this is communicated to you using the contact details given at the time of the booking.
Changes to your Booking
We reserve the right to make any alterations to dates, times and activities. In the event that we cancel your trip, a full refund will be issued.
Accommodation on Site
Accommodation on site in Dowa is basic, with shared bedrooms and bathrooms. Please be aware of this before you book.
Amendments
These Terms and Conditions may be amended by us from time to time and will be updated on this website accordingly.
