Mathew in the U.S.A.

This post is long overdue, but better late than never!!  We wish to share about some of Mathew's experiences in addition to the 'events' of Educate Malawi.  It has been a learning process for all of us.  Stephen and I have each traveled to Malawi, have learned from our Malawian friends, but we were unprepared for how much more we would learn about ourselves and Malawi by having Mathew with us for this extended visit!!

Mathew rode the bike trail with me for a little distance.

Mathew said he had not been on a bicycle in a very long time, and there certainly are no bike paths in Malawi, thought many people ride as their means of transportation.   He seemed a little uncomfortable riding with me on the trail, so I rode ahead for a ways and then we met up a little while later.  He said that he enjoyed the ride and found people to be very friendly.  At first, he had been a little fearful that someone might jump out from the trees.  He was a little unsure how he might be treated here on the trail.  He stopped after riding for a little bit and lay down in the grass to rest; he kept his helmet on which may have prompted a fellow rider to ask if he was alright.  He said that was the point where he felt less concerned and more comfortable with this environment.  Someone was actually concerned about his well being and that made him pleasantly surprised and happy.

Mathew and the Kaira's

Mathew had met Leah Kaira before, when she traveled to her homeland of Malawi with Karen and Stephen in 2010.  The Kaira's have been very helpful to Educate Malawi in sharing their experience and knowledge about Malawi and the United States.  They have helped bring some cultural understanding and awareness that has been used in deciding how to proceed with projects in Malawi and they have also helped spread awareness about Malawi here in the United States.  We spent a few hours with Leah, Sam their children and Leah's parents, who were here visiting the United States for the first time.  It was noticeable to us that Mathew enjoyed speaking his native Chichewa language with the family during our dinner visit.  We had fish, which Mathew enjoyed very much.  It seems that the more bones there are in the fish, the better it is...or something.

At the Pequot Museum in Mashantucket, CT - Cultural Survival Bazaar

We attended the Cultural Survival Bazaar as a vendor, which Educate Malawi has done for a few years now, and Mathew was able to attend with us.  Above he is seen speaking with a customer about the organization and about Malawi.  He enjoyed the experience of working at the fair and being a part of the experience with the other vendors as well.  He found it challenging to try to convince someone to buy an item; it seemed that they had an idea what they wanted to buy when they came to the fair.

Mathew was able to walk through the museum and view some of the displays

After his experience at the Pequot museum, he said that he was a little surprised at some similarities he saw in the settings to his village at home in Malawi.  He identified the village as an example with the style of house and the necessity of community for survival.  He was moved by the history of the country as shown in these displays.

At the Foxwoods Casino

Mathew was overwhelmed by the casino with all the shops and restaurants.  We walked through the slots room and he asked if everyone there was gambling and if everyone was winning.  He wondered if that's why everyone kept staying, so we talked a bit about gambling.  He commented on the smokiness of the room; I was honestly surprised as well that there was a smoking area there.  We went to the buffet at the casino and that was another overwhelming experience.  As many Americans know, buffets are a place of indulgence and waste and that was not lost on Mathew.  It was disheartening and a bit embarrassing to share that aspect of our country...but, after all, that was part of the point of the visit.

Photos taken at the Crossgates Mall in Albany, NY

Mathew was able to see another part of the state of New York...again, he commented on the number of trees along our drive from Western MA to NY.   He really enjoyed the malls that we have here and wanted to spend more time there....it was challenging, Malls are not my favorite place to go, so we did not spend as much time there as he would have liked, I'm sure!

Educate Malawi bike-a-thon registration table

Our 6th bike-a-thon fundraiser was held in June.  Mathew was able to participate in the event from beginning to end.  It was a lower turnout than we have had in the past and he commented on the amount of time spent to hold these events and was appreciative of our efforts for Malawi.

Mystic Aquarium

Mathew enjoyed some tourist fun in Mystic, CT...we saw the sealion show and all the displays.  He attempted to touch the stingrays, but was very nervous about it...understandably.

The Ciclids

This was an especially exciting display!!  These fish are widely studied and a breed of fish that is native to Lake Malawi, which Mathew's village is on the shore of.  Shannon and I snorkeled/swam with these fish during our time there in 2007 and it was an amazing experience!  I was very happy that we were able to see this display here, in Mystic.

Stonington, CT - seeing the Atlantic for the first time up close

Aside from landing in NY, JFK airport, this was Mathew's first visit to the Atlantic ocean while here in the states.  He was able to see the Atlantic in 4 different states during his time here!  NY, CT., MA., and ME.  It was fun...He loved the ocean and commented that it made him feel like home.  Lake Malawi is very large, the size of VT. and the vastness is similar to an ocean.

MOVED TO MAINE IN JULY!

Mathew at Mt. Sugarloaf, Carrabbassett Valley, Maine

This was one of our first outings after moving to Maine.  Mathew loved this stone wall...we visited a few different locations that had stonework and he was drawn to them each time.  I think he also liked saying "Sugarloaf"....as he said it many times after our visit.  It was almost as though he was reminiscing about the beauty of it.

My friend Michelle sent him a t-shirt from her neck of the woods

Hummingbirds on our porch...he loved and was intrigued by these birds 

Tim, Shannon and Mathew at the beginning of hike up Bald Mountain

Mathew at Cascade Gorge in Rangeley, ME

Mathew and Stephen at the top of the tower of Bald Mountain

Mathew proved repeatedly to be very brave!  First, this was his first time flying in an
airplane...anyone who has ever flown (AND who has traveled this distance) knows what a huge deal that is.  We climbed the mountain and though he was afraid of the height of this tower, he was the first one to the top!  Proud of himself, he said, "there were small children who were doing it and I didn't want to look scared.  Also, I came all this way and I had to go to the top".

Mathew at the completion of the GoMalawi 5K in Rockland, ME...displaying his completion medal

Fried dough at the fair...a U.S. tradition

Going up Ira mountain in Kingfield, ME

At a lookout on Ira mountain

Mathew also loved saying "Ira mountain"...he repeated it many times after being at the top.  He loved the views and the trees of some of the spots we visited.

Guess where??!!

ski trails in the summer....

This was our second trip to Sugarloaf...this time, we were going to zipline!!  Yet another testament to Mathew's bravery....he was not alone!  Most of us had not done this before; we too wanted to appear brave for our visitor and friend...mission accomplished!

Going up the ski lift...

Mathew was the first to go from the first of five platforms

Weeeeeeeeee!

At the completion of the tour...a proud Malawian for sure!

We explored a bit north of Sugarloaf and found this cool site.

The morning of Mathew's departure

Don't be fooled by the smiles...it was a difficult goodbye!  I had started working a new job, which was a bit overwhelming, and so these last 2 weeks were filled with emotion for us all.  Stephen was working on the house and Mathew helped some...again, this is life in America.  We struggled some with not 'entertaining' much these last few weeks, but reminded ourselves that it was part of the goal.

On the night before Mathew left, we all shared some thoughts of the time we spent together here.  It was a time I don't think any of us will forget.  Mathew shared that he believed that he was returning to Malawi with a new perspective on our country and his.  We had several discussions about goals and plans to reach those goals.  We talked about culture, and even struggled with that term and its relevance or necessity in some of the situations we encountered.  Mathew expressed gratitude for the opportunity to come to the U.S., something few will experience of those friends and family of his in Malawi.  This experience was more enlightening than I would have expected and I learned more about Malawi AND the U.S., by having Mathew here with us.  I shared with Mathew the experience I had about returning to my country after visiting his, and pointed out that he may have some similar challenges returning home.  It was a challenge for me returning here and I think that I thought it would 'end' but am realizing that it simply changed my life and that new awareness continues.

Educate Malawi, Inc. is in a transition phase; partly due to the geographical move of 2 of the founders and partly as a result of this time spent with Mathew.  It was a powerful experience and the information learned by all will require some time for personal processing and settling.

We are grateful to have been able to enable Mathew to have this experience and believe it will strengthen our efforts going forward.