Village visit

The Squares are a family that has become very dear to me.  Not only have they shared with me their lives, but also they have welcomed me into their home multiple times, including Christmas.  I have learned so much from them about Malawian culture and I’ve experienced love that has made me feel like I am with family.  Nellie has family out in a village about an hour and fifteen minutes away.  She has crops there and she takes trips to go plant and cultivate the land.  She asked if I would like to take a day trip to meet her family and see her crops.  I told her I would be honored to join her and would love to meet her family. 

We set off Saturday morning around 7:30.  We took local transportation, which are mainly mini-buses.  We stood on the side of the road outside of the ABC campus waiting for a bus to take us from campus into town.  These are basically big vans that look as if they are falling apart.  They have about 4 rows of seats in them and they are crammed full of people.  Once you get on, you pay a man who is sitting by the sliding door to let people on and off.  You then let him know when you want off and the bus pulls over on the side of the road.  When there is room, if there are people on the side of the road, the bus will pull over and let them on.  As we waited, about 6 full mini-buses passed us.  It was 40 minutes before one stopped.  I have no idea how we fit since it looked absolutely full to me, but I crammed in next to 4 others on my bench.  Once in town, we walked through the market to a spot where there were lots of mini-buses parked.  Each had a sign in the front window stating the destination.  The drivers were trying to get people to take their bus so they rushed at people, asking where they were headed and trying to convince you to take their bus.  Once we found a bus for our location, we paid the driver and were given a receipt.  We took a spot on the back of the bus.  The waiting then began, as the bus doesn’t leave until it is full.  I was hopeful, as there seemed to be quite a few people already on.  However; the man I was sitting next to told me there are “cheats” on the bus.  These are people that sit on the bus to make it look full in order to attract more passengers that believe it will be departing shortly.  Then once seats are purchased and passengers are boarded, the cheats get off the bus.   We waited on the bus for an hour and forty minutes before it was full and ready to go.  Once we were on our way, I enjoyed the scenery and felt great about the trip other than when we were stopped by the police because our mini-bus was over capacity.  The driver had to get out and talk with them for about 10 minutes and he ended up paying a fine that was equivalent to three passengers’ bus fare.  Once we unloaded the bus, we then had to walk to a dirt road off the main road.  We then took motorbikes to Nellie’s mother’s house, as it is about 4 miles down a rather rocky dirt road.  I held on tight to the back of the motorbike.  I’ve been on motorcycles before, but nothing this small.  I didn’t want to fall off the back! 

Nellie's mom with some of the children in the village.  Many of these are grandkids.  

At Nellie’s house, her mother was busy preparing food.  She served us pumpkin that had been boiled. The pumpkins here taste rather different than those in the states. They were very soft and there’s a transparent skin to peel off the outside and then the rest of the pumpkin is eaten.  After eating pumpkin, we were served Irish potatoes.  These are picked up and eaten with your hands just as the pumpkins were.  I was very full after our meal.  We sat and talked for a bit with Nellie translating between Chichewa and English.  After eating, we walked about 3 miles down the road to visit the village where the rest of Nellie’s family lives.  They were expecting us so they were all sitting outside.  They laid a mat out for Nellie and myself that was facing them.  Something I appreciate about visits in the village is the greeting that takes place.  They are so genuine and respectful and they take time to greet each person individually.  Each of Nellie’s Aunts and Uncles came one at a time and first kneeled in the dirt to shake my hand (this is a sign of respect) and then when they shook my hand and greeted me in Chichewa they held the arm that they were shaking my hand with.  This as well is a sign of respect.  The kids all gathered around, watching me carefully.  I was told by one of the elders that they were honored to have me.  Nellie explained to the young ones in Chichewa that because her parents’ valued education, she was able to learn English and that is how she can be friends with someone like myself.  She encouraged them to go to school and work hard.  After visiting, we walked out to the fields to see the crops.  Day in and day out these people till the soil, working in the hot sun.  They are not given immediate results and in some cases, the crops were not very successful.  It broke my heart to see some of the land where the maize was not very tall and where it had all dried up.  Fortunately Nellie’s crop has done very well this year.  Harvesting is what sustains these families.  They eat what they have grown and sell what extra they have.  I could see the pride on their faces as they showed me their fields.  The kids ran out with us, turning around to see if I was taking pictures. 

Nellie (in the blue and green dress) with some of her relatives.  

We stopped by the well on the way back.  This is everyone’s source of water and I was amazed at the moss that was growing inside.  The water was clearly dirty and the kids were raising the bucket and drinking.  Oh the things I take for granted!  If I were to drink that water, I would most surely get sick.  Even here in Africa, I have access to filtered water.  I know there are parasites in the water and not only that, but this water has to be hauled back to homes to be used for drinking, cooking, and washing. 

Once we had visited, it was time to say goodbye and start the walk back.  I knew we had quite a way to go, as we had to walk the long dirt road back to the main road where we would catch the mini-bus.  I didn’t realize we were being given multiple things to take back with us.  We had 5 big bags filled with potatoes, tomatoes, and beans, all grown right there in the village.  Nellie would be able to take them back to sell here in town and then the profit would be taken back to the village.  We clearly couldn’t carry everything back on our backs and so Nellie’s mother and two of her Aunts loaded bags on their heads to walk with us.  Nellie told me they would’ve walked with us even if we didn’t need help carrying things because that is what you do when people come to visit.  Although I’ve seen this kind of hospitality and genuine appreciation for relationships multiple times in Malawi, it still amazes me.  The walk is about 5 miles in one direction, meaning they would end up walking over 10 miles. 

During the walk, Nellie started to worry that we would run out of daylight and possibly have a more difficult time catching a mini-bus.  We hadn’t seen any motorbikes yet and so she asked one of the people on a bicycle to ask two motorbikes to come out and meet us to take us back to the main road.  Within about 15 minutes, one rather small motorbike pulled up.  I laughed because I was figuring one of us would have to stay and wait for the motorbike to take the other to the main road and come back.  I knew this too would take time.  I laughed even harder when I realized the driver was planning on taking BOTH of us on the motorbike plus our 5 bags, all at once!  He bungee corded four of our bags onto the back of the bike and then took my backpack and put it on the front of him (the wrong way) then he positioned himself so he was pretty much sitting on the handle bars.  He had me get on behind him and then Nellie behind me and between the bags.  This all took about ten minutes.  Once we were on, I had to reach my legs back to place on top of Nellie’s feet.  It took a few tries for him to actually start the bike since he had to reach so far back with his foot, but he was finally successful and we were off.  Needless to say, it was a rather slow ride as he maneuvered around bumps and holes in the road.  There were times he came to a steep part and I didn’t think the bike would make it over.  He really had to put on the gas and then we’re just roll over.  I laughed throughout the ride, especially when those in the village would stop what they were doing to watch us ride by.  I also laughed when the driver explained in Chichewa to Nellie that I needed to move a bit to the right.  I asked Nellie how exactly I was going to do this, as I didn’t see any possible way for me to move.  She said I just needed to move my hips a bit to the right.  I did my best to move although I didn’t feel like I moved at all! 

Once on the main road, the situation for getting a mini-bus was completely different.  There were two there that were both ready to go.  Since there was a demand for passengers, they charged half of what we paid on our wait out.  We had no wait time and the ride back was uneventful.  We managed to carry all our bags through town and caught our second mini-bus back to campus.  We arrived home at 6:45 PM.  It was a rather long day, but an extremely fun adventure.  Even as I write, I’m struck with the reality that to me, this was a rare day filled with many firsts and many lasts.  For many Malawians however; this is everyday life. 

Some of the kids walking out to see the crops with us. 

Nellie's mother and her cousin standing by their tomato plants.  

Maize tastes much like corn, but not as sweet.  It is eaten like this, but much
of it is dried out and then turned into a type of flower used to make nsima.

Here is the well in the village.  

One of the children pulling up the jug for a drink. 

The kids were thirsty from the heat and our walk.
They each took turns drinking straight from the jug.

A typical home in the village. The word for home in Chichewa is "kunyumba"

This is a kitchen in the village.  

Nellie's Uncle.  He was amazed when I showed him his picture on my camera.
This concept of seeing a picture that was just taken,
causes young and old alike to laugh and point in amazement.

After the women bring beans from the fields, everyone gathers
around to help prepare the meal.  

School supplies

It is an understatement to say that I have experienced true joy during my time here in Malawi.  There are certain situations where I am amazed at what I am witnessing and where I know if I weren’t here, I would never experience what is before me.  One such situation happened this week.  I had received a huge box filled with school supplies from my Uncle Bob and Aunt Pam. Upon receiving it, I was amazed at their generosity and thoughtfulness.  They included many items that were in bulk, such as boxes of crayons containing 64 each.  They had hoped that I could use the supplies in my classroom and just split them up between students.  As I was looking at the supplies, it struck me that they had sent more than enough.  There was plenty for me to split the box in half and give half to my class and half to a local school. 

I have never been so thankful to see school supplies before!

Over the Christmas holiday, I had the privilege to go to a school near Chinsapo, a local village, with the Chisomo idea.  This organization has partnered with a school close to the village.  The school’s head master heard about the work the Chisomo Idea is doing in the village to help those in poverty.  She offered to provide six scholarships for children who by no means could afford tuition to attend school.  I went to school with these seven students on their first day.  I was amazed as I saw the excitement on their faces and realized they were being given an opportunity they would never have dreamed of.  It was amazing to sit down with the administration at this school and hear a bit about their staff and students.  Everyone was so welcoming and I was thanked numerous times for visiting.  Since I had already been to this school and seen what it was like, I thought this would be a perfect place to take the supplies. 

When I went back with the supplies, I was once again greeted by a warm welcome.  I watched as a teacher came into the office, asking for a stick of chalk.  She was told there was none left and there had been someone sent into town that could hopefully pick some up.  I sat there listening, knowing that in my 5 years of teaching, I have never once imagined of going without a whiteboard pen or even the color of my choice for that matter.  I can’t even fathom teaching without any supplies. 

This is the office at the school.  The cabinet is against the
opposite wall so you can see how wide the room is. All the supplies,
 including text books are locked in the cabinet. 

When I explained that I have relatives that sent out school supplies and that I would like to give them to the school, they were amazed.  They lined everything up on the desk in the office and sat there looking at it.  The Principal was gone for the day, but the assistant was present and he thanked me multiple times.  He then took the supplies and locked them in the cabinet in the office.  After about ten minutes of waiting, he unlocked the cabinet and took the supplies out again.  He counted how many there were of each item and then he asked me what the foam letters were.  I told him these are stickers and you can take off the back and stick it to a piece of paper or another surface.  Instead of just putting everything away, he asked me if we could try out one of the foam letters.  He took a piece of paper and handed me one of the letters.  I took the back off and stuck it to the paper.  I told him he could use these to write out words such as “math.” He smiled and said, “We could spell out the name of our school with these!”  It was so humbling to watch the joy that this brought him.  He carefully took the letter off the paper and re-stuck on the backing.  It was so evident how much this gift meant to him and how much the school needed and appreciated supplies. 

I drove away in amazement, as I knew that what had just taken place made a huge difference to the school.  I am so thankful for the support and love that I feel from those who are not here with me.  When something like that takes place, I know I am not in this alone.  I may be the one that is physically here in Malawi, but there are so many who are playing a huge role in my time here and the work that is being done.  I wish you could be here with me to experience first hand.  It is my privilege to share with you as you play such a huge part in my experiences and you bring so much joy to others and myself.  

This is one of the classrooms at the school.  There was nothing else but a chalk board in the classroom.  

Here are the six students who received scholarships.  The men on the outside are employees of the school and the ones I gave the supplies to.  Cosmas is in the blue button up shirt.  He helps out with the Chisomo Idea.  You can see the school building in the background.  

Up close and personal

I know Christmas was a few months ago, but as I just glanced up at my dresser and saw one of my Christmas presents, I had to sit down and write.  You may have seen the commercials or the emails through World Vision or other organizations, which allow you to give a donation in someone’s name, and that donation goes to purchasing resources needed in developing countries.  My Aunt Louise and Uncle Manny have given this as a gift to my siblings and me for the past five years.  The first three years they gave a goat to a village as a sustainable resource as my Christmas present.   Last year, through Outreach International, they gave towards providing an education for a girl living in poverty.  I remember opening the card last Christmas and just crying.  It meant so much to me to know that a little girl had an education where there weren’t the resources for one.  Not only does this impart hope and impact a life, but it touched close to home, as it has to do with education. 

This year I received a card from Outreach International (http://www.outreach-international.org/).It was informing me that a gift had been given in my honor- a donation for our world neighbors living in poverty.  This years two girls’ education was my gift.  I received the card at school and I sat for a moment outside my classroom reading those words, “our world neighbors in poverty.”  It struck me that every other year when I open this gift, I am completely touched, but also so completely removed.  It feels like half way around the world, someone is receiving hope.  This year however, that line world neighbors means something different.  It could very well be two little girls living 5 minutes away in a nearby village or two little girls I pass in the market.  It touched my heart in a different way this year as I can see the poverty all around me.  It also touched me because an education is so invaluable here.  I take it for granted as I grew up expecting this, knowing nothing would stop me from receiving an education.  Here however, so many will never get the opportunity to go to school.  When they are given a chance at an education, it is an incredible blessing that sets them apart. 

While I sat there thinking about this, one of the cleaners came up and asked what I had.  I told her about the gift.  She looked at the card and asked if she could see the picture of the little girls.  She said she would very much like to see them and that she may even know them.  I loved this response.  It reinforced what I had just been processing about this being a reality and that so many around me do not have the opportunity at an education. 

I will keep this card up on my dresser and will also take it back home with me.  It is such a wonderful reminder of the bigger picture.  My world neighbors may not always be this close, but they will always exist.  I pray I remember this and that I never take the many blessings I have for granted. 

I bless the rains down in Africa

I have spent the past 5 years in the Northwest where we receive more rain than I would’ve ever thought possible.  There are those cloudy, rainy days and not just a few of them, but consecutively.  I have grown to enjoy the rain and I love the feeling of the chill in the air or the mist on my face during a soft drizzle.  I am however; experiencing a different type of rain here and a different type of appreciation for it. 

It has been hot here in Malawi since I arrived in August.  Now Malawians may not all agree with that statement, but to me temperatures in the 70’s-90’s is hot.  It’s been exceptionally hot lately and I have heard, “rainy season is coming.”  This didn’t mean much to me until one hot day when suddenly there were dark clouds and winds and then a torrential downpour.  It rained for about an hour and then the sun reappeared in the sky and it was back to normal.  The rain was incredible though as it nourished the dry land and cooled things down.  Ever since my first experience with rain here, I’ve been waiting in anticipation along with the majority of those in Malawi.   

Today was no different.  I woke up sweating because my fan was off due to a loss of power in the middle of the night.  I drank some cold water and went for a swim to cool down.  I then decided to skip a run since it was 92 degrees.  I started some laundry and did some cleaning.  As I was cleaning, I started to hear a breeze outside.  I looked out my window to see dark clouds in the sky and branches swaying back and forth.  This automatically causes anticipation for the thunder to roll in and the rains to pour.  Within about 15 minutes, I started to hear the first few drops. When it rains here, it demands your full attention.  The drops pound on the roof, making it hard to hear much of anything else.  It is a welcomed event and I rushed outside to stand on my porch so I could watch the winds blow, hear the heavy drumming, and feel the water splash into the drain.   

Rain here doesn’t just provide relief from the hot weather.  It is depended on by so many who need the rains to grow maize and other crops.  The rainy season is late in coming this year and this has hurt those who depend on it for an income and for food.  They have waited, planning their crops around the rains.  When it started today, I couldn’t help but think of those who depend on this rain. Life is hard for them when the rains do not come and there is no way of knowing when that will be.  I have never had to wait for rain, but I do feel like all of us at different times in our lives have waited for something.  Sometimes we don’t know when it will come or if it ever will.  This hits close to home when it comes to Africa, as I have wanted to come here for over 6 years now.  I think there’s something about the process of waiting that makes it all the more meaningful when it does happen.  I feel so blessed to be here and I want to appreciate each and every day as I have had many days of waiting for this.  For now I will enjoy the rain and tomorrow I will start waiting in anticipation for the rains to come again.