Educate Malawi, Inc.

August 14, 2010
It was another long day in Malawi; we were able to retrieve our bags from the airport (all 6 of them arrived safely and seemingly intact) and we got our phone up and running. Aside from that, we did some walking (to and from town) and sat waiting for a ride and not much else! One thing we continue to note and notice is how our brains have to adjust to this different culture and the way things work here. At the phone store, there was a very long line and we commented about how at home people would be very impatient and not wanting to wait in a line like that for very long. Gas prices are high and the person we were waiting on to bring us to the airport had to find gas because some of the filling stations had no more. We saw prices for about 2.54; which you might not think is bad, but it's per LITER and it's Malawi kwacha! That's about 6.00 per gallon. Not uncommon in other parts of the world, which we easily forget!!

August 15, 2010
We decided to set our alarm (phone) to wake up early so we could shower and give our towels a chance to dry before we got on the road. About 1:00 a.m. we were both awake, me because of a mosquito that wanted to eat us and Stephen because he was uncomfortable due to space restrictions and heat. We both tossed and turned for about 3 hours and fell back asleep. The alarm went off at 5:30, and we stayed in bed until 6:15...decided to get up. It was a cool morning, which wouldn't be so bad, but the shower/bath house is open air. We did have hot water, which was really nice, but the reality was, we had to shut that off at some point and face the cold air being wet. It was worth it in the end, because we were clean and able to wear clean clothes, the first in 3 days (which includes the 25 hours on the plane). Breakfast was the same as the previous morning; cheese omelet and yogurt with muesli, which we shared both of. And, of course, coffee...Ricoffy, to be exact; it's a Nescafe instant product...very good, but not Starbuck's!! We did eat outside in the sun and were able to view some beautiful birds in the trees...it's really a wonderful way to start the day.
We plan to leave here at about 11:30, after Leah gets back from Church. We will then make our way to the 'bus station' and catch a bus to Zomba. That will take approximately 4 hours...so will be there around dinner time. It's a bit frustrating that travel takes as long as it does, but we will be able to start our work in Zomba sooner than originally planned, so that is a good thing.

August 16
Wow, only 2 paragraphs yesterday...I am not the best blogger in the world, that's for sure!! Although, there was not much to write about before 12 yesterday noon, all the noteworthy stuff happened after that. We got on the minibus about 1:00 in the afternoon...I can make it real short, we didn't get to Zomba until about 6:00 in the evening. So our whole day yesterday was spent sitting around. We are talking about an alternative to all this traveling around in country before we are able to make it to our destination...it's time consuming!
We took lots of pictures and Stephen took some video as we rode down the road on the minibus. There are so many thoughts that run through my mind as I watch out the windows during a trip like that. First, I still was a little surprised that I am back here again...it has been a real interesting 3 years this Malawi mission that has begun for us. Before we were able to actually get on the road, though, we had to get gas. It seems that gas can be difficult to find sometimes right now...maybe that's always, but I hadn't heard that before this trip. Gas costs 2.54 per liter, which I think I mentioned earlier...which is about a dollar fifty; so gas costs about $6.00 per gallon right now here. So, the minibus stopped at like a garage and they brought out gas cans, each holding about 5 gallons each, and they siphoned the gas. It was a crazy sight, the gas was going all over as they tried to get it into the tank. They finally did and it was enough to get us to our destination!
The bus we were on was larger than some of the other buses we have been on, and didn't make as many stops along the way to pick up and drop off passengers, which is nice. We did, however, make a coupel stops for people to go to the bathroom...on the side of the road, and not very privately. There are just so many things that I see as we make a trip like that where I think, boy, we have nothing to complain about! Some things that people endure and have to do to survive are way beyond my comprehension and my experience and it is helpful to maintain some perspective. I also get overwhelmed, however, by the tremendous poverty and great need in this country....I wonder if our little bit we are doing is very helpful at all. Then I remember the story (Stephen reminded me) about the boy and the starfish. He was on the beach, and there were millions of starfish washed up on the beach; he was picking them up one by one and throwing them back into the sea. His father came along and asked him what he was doing and he told him. His father said, don't waste your time, you won't get all of them, what difference will it make? The boy replied that it makes a differencen to each one he does send back. So, there we go, off to continue our work at the school and maybe make a difference for a few!
We have had some difficulties with technology, too. Another area that we take for granted...sit at the computer and it works, want to charge your phone, and there's electricity. Want hot water? turn the faucet....Our adapter has blown its fuse, so we need to try to find another fuse so we can charge Stephen's camera and the laptop...we are hopeful that we can find something today in town. Then, we need to try to find some internet access...we had it our first day, and after that, we were unable to connect for reasons we and others around us, couldn't figure out!! All the others were able to connect...it seems it might be our windows 7....don't trust those wonderful commercials you see, it's not all a great dream!! So, hopefully we can find some form of internet , even if we can't use our laptop...we will have to see!! It is very frustrating and we feel very out of touch; as if it's not bad enough being 7,000 plus miles away from home!!
ok...off to see if we can straighten out our bank situation; last time we went to transfer money they said there was no bank by that name showing up, even though we have done it a few times before!!! Aaaarrrggh!
August 16, later
We went to the bank and figured out that there was no problem with the account; there must have been some issue on our side when we went to transfer money and couldn't. The bank exists, the account exists...no problem! We also exchanged some more money then went back later to the bank to deposit it...that was an hour standing in line!! I haven't stood in a line like that at a bank since I don't know when!! In between those 2 visits to the bank, we went to the school to tell the headmaster what we had in mind to accomplish during this week's visit to the school. We also told him we wanted to gather a couple different groups of children to participate in some pen pal efforts between some U.S. children and those here. We also told him about the supplies we had to donate. We hope that it will all work out successfully! I feel like it was a successful day and productive, which I am very happy about!
One last cool note for the day...on our 2.5 mile walk back to the lodge, we looked up and saw 2 baboons crossing the road in front of us. We quickly walked up to where we saw them and got some pictures; there were baboons on each side of the road and each had a baby with her or him. It was funny, because they were aware of our being there and were cautious and the babies kept trying to wander away but the adult would guide the baby back, away from potential harm (us) which gave me the idea that we might not want to linger too long to give them the feeling of being threatened and thus coming after us!! It was a nice ending to a nice day!

August 17
An exciting day today!!! We went to the school and were able to accomplish everything we set out to for the day...that feels like a big deal in Malawi, where things tend to move rather slowly and take a long time to complete. We started the day going to the hardware/supply store and bought paint and brushes and cement for our project of the week. We then went to the school where we brought the school supplies and work supplies. When we arrived at the school the school committee meeting was getting ready for our meeting; they seem to like to meet with us when we bring the supplies especially. That way there is accountability and transparency with regard to those items. What we didn't realize, was that there would be members of the Pariament there to meet us as well. We met with a gentelman whose title was equivalent to a Senator, and then there was a man who has a title we can't remember. We will have to get those details, it all moved very quickly, and like I said, we weren't prepared for all that. They asked me to speak and I think I pretty much told them what I said last year; we have a love for Malawi and a committment to this project and we want them to understand that it is not easy to raise the funds but we are working hard to accomplish this goal. Leah spoke also in Chichewa to them, explaining about our organization and her role in it.
In addition to meeting with the school committee, the children were gathered like we asked and we were able to hand out cameras and pen pal letter to them with instructions of what we were hoping they would do with them. We provided them with paper and writing utensils and asked them to meet back at the school on Friday. They seemed excited about it and asked some questions. Leah did most of that work explaining in Chichewa so that it was all clear. We proceeded to begin painting and completed a good portion of one of the classrooms (not our new one that's under construction, but an existing classroom). It looks better and we also got an idea how much more paint we will need than what we first thought! It's good to know...so we will have to pick up many more gallons (5 liter) tubs of paint before we go back. There was another visitor, who wasn't happy about our visit, in the classroom; a bat kept screeching at Stephen as he painted and got close to his spot at the ceiling...we couldn't really see him, but boy could we hear him!! Here's a cool thing, when we bought the rollers, we realized that we would need a handle for them to be able to reach the ceilings...what we ended up with were bamboo that one of the men cut with a machete and sized just right to fit the end of the roller....it was awesome!!!
Well, we have made arrangements to meet with a friend for lunch tomorrow, following a meeting at the College where we will begin plans for a scholarship program with students who wish to become teachers. We look forward to both those meetings tomorrow and will write more when time and mostly internet allows!

August 18
Today was supposed to be somewhat of a 'laid back' day, since we only had a meeting scheduled for the morning. It is an adventure every day and it always shapes up to be interesting in ways we couldn't have imagined!
We met with a representative of the Education Department of the University of Malawi, Chancellor College which is known for their Education Department. We met with him to discuss development of a scholarship program for students who wish to become teachers. It was a productive meeting and we did get a lot accomplished. We, Stephen and I, learned more about the Education system in Malawi and it was very interesting. We had had a mini-meeting on the plane on the way here, and drew up an outline of some criteria we had in mind and a sample application for the scholarship we are proposing. As our meeting progressed, we felt good that our ideas were closely on track with the ideas expressed by the representative at the College. Details of all that will be accessible as we make it more formalized and we hope to offer the first scholarship monies in December of this year.
When we left the college we had made arrangements to meet with Matt, an employee of HELP Malawi, an organization based out of Ohio, we met for lunch. It was a nice meeting and we met a Peace Corps volunteer and a volunteer for HELP as well as a new employee of HELP, Jordan. It was a nice lunch with conversation that varied from where we are all from and how we came to know each other and end up in Malawi, to the many insects and creatures that have been encountered in Malawi. We had some good food, some had a very hot sauce on their food, and some good laughs and I was very glad we were able to spend the time with them.
We made good time on the minibus on the way to Liwonde to meet our friends, about 45 minutes, but on the way back, it was a bit of a different story. The first glitch in the trip was a crashed minibus on the side of the road, with luggage and passengers hurt or crying on the side of the road. It was a horrific sight, probably the worst I've seen. There were about 30 people standing around, some may have been bystanders or those who stopped to help where they could. After we passed that sight, we saw 2 ambulances making their way to the scene, so it may have just happened before we got there. We were all a bit upset by the sight, I think, and I was surprised that the minibus driver didn't take the reminder that speed kills!!!! He drove just as fast, I don't think he was really reckless, just fast...maybe it's the same thing, right? So we drove on. We then came to a Police check point which is like a traffic stop. The policeman asked our vehicle to pull to the side of the road and the driver got out. He walked to the back of the vehicle and the policeman walked away. The driver then went and talked with another official, and then walked out of our sight. I thought I heard something about a license, and I wondered if maybe our driver doesn't have one!! The officer had a ticket pad in his hand, but don't know what happened with any of that. After a few minutes, the driver reappeared and we got on our way. By that time, I really didn't want to continue in that vehicle, but we didn't really have much choice...we did make it safely back and that is how I am able to write all this now!!
We have a busy couple days ahead of us; we will be at the school for the next 2 days finishing painting and collecting all the writings and stuff from the kids. We will also be seeing 2 of our friends from Blantyre who we were unable to see last weekend. One is coming tomorrow morning for a quick visit, he has to go to another district because his aunt is real sick; we will be happy to see him even if for a few minutes. Another friend is coming Friday and will go to the school with us to help paint! I am very happy that he will be able to spend some time with us...a couple long days expected but hopefully productive and enjoyable.

August 19
We started out early, like we have been; had breakfast at 6:30, then got ready for the day by packing our bags, preparing our water and making sure we have all that we will need for the day. We bought some nice, fresh bread at the store the other day (I think I wrote about that), it was still warm! AND it only cost 99 kwacha; about 50 cents!!!! We also bought peanut butter and jam and some cookies, and that was what we packed for lunches...it was wonderful!!
We met Mathew downtown, and it was real nice to see him...we chatted for a while, then we all had to go our seperate ways for the day. We will see Mathew on the weekend in Cape Maclear. We also ran into Bob, from Chancellor College and we were able to take photos with him that we had missed the previous day!!
We met Leah as well at the same time as the others!! It was nice to feel like we know a few people here that are familiar to us!!
We went to find a vehicle to get out to the school, and we weren't sure we would be able to. We started making plan B when we ran into the driver, Martha, on the street!! We were excited to see her and she was able to bring us to get some more paint and supplies and to the school. We were excited to be able to get some work done....she said she would pick us up at 4:00.
The painting went very well, the 2 classrooms we were able to complete both look so much better! We were very happy with our progress. There were children hanging around watching us and laughing at us...I had a hard time staying focused on painting and kept stopping to take pictures. There was one little girl who was so huggable and cute and funny, that I took several pictures of her. Stephen teased me to stop being a politician and kissing the babies and paint!! Ha ha ha....I told him I couldn't be a politician because there was no one to see me kissing the babies!!
We ended our work and clean up a bit early, around 3:30, which was nice to sit for a few minutes. But time went by and the driver didn't show up and it was 10 after 4, then 20 after, then 4:30. We finally called her and she said she would have to see if she could find someone to pick us up!! yikes! We are about 10 miles out of town and it gets dark between 5:30 and 6...so we were a bit anxious. Plus, I hadn't been to the bathroom since about 7:30 in the a.m., and was beginning to worry about that. I am a bit of a sissy when it comes to outhouses, so avoid them if at all possible; I know that's not very adventurous or anything, but it's my thing.
We did finally get picked up at about 5:15; so it was ok, but made for a bit of a long day. We came back to the room, showered, and went right to dinner. We enjoy our dinners here; they take about 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours...and we play cards and talk and just relax. It's such a change from going out to eat at home; the atmosphere at most places at home is not conducive to sitting and relaxing in that way. I will miss that. Last year, we tried to re-create that when we went out to eat; we even brought a game to dinner with us. It was not the same, I'm sorry to say...we are too rushed all the time.
Tomorrow we hope to get to the school to touch up any areas that need it, patch some cement in the classrooms and collect the writings and cameras from the children!! I am excited and anxious about how that goes. If we don't get stuff back, I will be disappointed, as will some children from home!! Then we will pack up tomorrow night because we are leaving early Saturday morning for the long trek to Cape Maclear, it will take about 5 hours, we are thinking, maybe more!! But we hope it will be worth it to spend a day and a half there!!!
More later....

August 20
For our final day working at the school, Liston met us from Blantyre and came to the school and helped. We were not sure if we would get a ride or not to the school, but we ended up getting one. We got there close between 10 and 11. Leah and I met with the children who had taken letters and cameras and collected their work. All of the children with cameras showed up, but I'm not sure if they all took pictures; at a quick look at the cameras, some only had a few pictures taken, some had all and some had all but a few. They all wrote something about what their lives as we asked, so it should be fun to read them all (we haven't even had a chance to read the letters!)
We put a second coat of paint on the areas that needed it in the classrooms and touched up some other areas. We were able to patch the cement in one of the classroom blocks, and it came out nice. It was an interesting experience...we had limited tools to work with, but made due. I will be posting pictures on Facebook, for anyone who want s to see them, of the whole process of mixing cement and putting it on.
We were able to make a couple stops on the way back to our room and do a couple 'errands'. We bought some baked goods, biscuits, for our early start on Saturday on our trek to Cape Maclear. We stopped at the market and did some shopping for jewelry and paintings and some carvings to bring home. Stephen did a real good job bartering and we got some good deals. We then stopped at what Leah thought was still an internet cafe...and sure enough it was!!! It was Friday afternoon, it had been there all week, and we didn't even know it!!! So we spent a half hour checking and sending some emails and then headed back to our room.
We had an early night to prepare for our early and long day on Saturday. As I'm writing this, it is Saturday....
August 21
We have arrived at Cape Maclear after an endless bus ride...we did not eat anything or use the bathroom for about 8 hours and sat on the bus for a better part of that. That is why, I am not going to write anymore about today, today...because I am too tired and don't feel like writing any more now....but will after a good night's sleep, I'm sure!