Meet the volunteers powering vinspired Lake of Stars

Megan Page, 25, from California

What made you get involved with vinspired Lake of Stars?

I came over to the UK to do my Masters, where I looked at how music can lead to political change. When I finished I had to wait until I got my degree results before I could apply for a working visa. So I was looking around for volunteering opportunities where I could use my research skills while I was waiting, and I came across Lake of Stars.

What are you doing for vinspired Lake of Stars?

I am carrying out an economic impact study of the festival, so I will be trying to find out how much money visitors spend at the festival and in Malawi generally, and also exploring how Lake of Stars impacts on businesses in the country.

How will you do that?

By interviewing businesses, hotels and the Malawian Minister of Business and discussing how the festival impacts on them. I want to learn about who they are hiring, how much they are paying them and how these businesses can partner better with Lake of Stars. I will also be asking festival-goers to fill in my questionnaire. I will need to carry out about 500 interviews in total.
The festival has been going for seven years now and it is starting to have trickle-down effects on the Malawian economy. We know the festival has an impact on the economy of the country and that it brings lots of money in, but it would be good to have numbers.

Did you do any volunteering before you got involved with vinspired Lake of Stars?

Yes, I used to volunteer for Arsenal's Double Club programme once a week, where we would go round to primary schools and give kids an hour of tutoring and then an hour of football coaching after school

Why is volunteering important to you?

I do it for the same reason everyone does it I think, to be involved in something bigger than yourself. People can get too caught up in their lives and I think volunteering is a way of putting it back into perspective that we are all in this together.

Will you continue to volunteer after this project is over?

Absolutely. I am considering redirecting my career away from the music industry, where I currently work, and towards an NGO.

Are you looking forward to the festival?

I'm thrilled, it's going to be amazing. I saw the Noisettes and Tinashé at the Union Chapel and I was just sitting there with my eyes closed, thinking "what's it going to be like to hear this on the shores of Lake Malawi?" and it gave me the chills.