Last blog I answered WHO, in this blog I will answer WHAT? If you have any questions you would like to ask me, please feel free to comment below and I will be happy to answer them for you!
What will I be doing?
I am very excited about the work I will be doing in Malawi. I will have the opportunity to work at St. Andrew’s Mission Secondary School (SAMSS). This school is adjacent to St. Andrew's Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP), which Southminster has been in partnership with for over 20 years. Together the two churches built the Mission School. It is a secondary school (high school) located in Mulanje, Malawi which is about an hour and a half away from the major city of Blantyre. Mulanje sits at the base of Mt. Mulanje and is completely surrounded by tea fields as far as the eye can see. It is a beautiful location. I am a little nervous, since teaching was not my major, but I will be teaching science, which should be fine because of my medical knowledge. I look forward to passing on what I learned in all those biology and chemistry classes and labs! I also am looking forward to getting to know the students of the school, Not only in the classroom, but on the athletic fields and lunchroom, etc. I am also looking forward community building with them, and with the members of Southminster’s partner church members.
Fortunately, Mulanje area has two hospitals: Mulanje Mission Hospital and Mulanje District Hospital and I plan on volunteering at both of these hospitals when I am able.
What will I eat while I am there?
For the past 2 years I have eliminated gluten from my diet for health reasons. When I first thought about going to Malawi for a year I was concerned about what I would be able to eat. Luckily, the more I thought about it the more I realized that Malawi is a very gluten-free friendly country. The main food is called Nsima. Nsima is ground up corn that is then boiled and stirred into the consistency of grits. I will be able to eat this without a problem and I love it! This is paired with a “relish” of stewed vegetables such as cabbage, tomato, pumpkin leaves, or other in-season vegetables, that you dip the Nsima into and eat together. I will also be enjoying the huge variety of fruits and vegetables that will be grown by local farmers and sold at a market near where I will be living and working! Rice is also readily available, and chicken is abundant. Although I am sure I will miss the convenience of prepackaged foods that are quick and easy to make, I am looking forward to the challenge of learning to cook from scratch, with the help of my mom and sister's recipes, and using what I have available to me to create gluten-free creations.
What will the money I raise be used for?
This trip has been a dream of mine since the day we left Malawi in 2005. Unfortunately, behind every dream there is that a level of reality that must be met. Since I will be leaving my job, I will need funds for my flights over and back, for transportation while I am there, for electricity, water, food and internet (so that I can keep you all updated here on my blog!). I will also have to purchase special medical insurance since American plans don't work too well in Africa. The school will provide housing, but there will be other normal costs associated with homes, like paint and everyday repairs. I will probably have to purchase some supplies for my classroom and laboratory, to make it an effective learning environment. Thankfully with the help of all of you, the reality of this dream of mine is coming true!
What will I be doing?
I am very excited about the work I will be doing in Malawi. I will have the opportunity to work at St. Andrew’s Mission Secondary School (SAMSS). This school is adjacent to St. Andrew's Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP), which Southminster has been in partnership with for over 20 years. Together the two churches built the Mission School. It is a secondary school (high school) located in Mulanje, Malawi which is about an hour and a half away from the major city of Blantyre. Mulanje sits at the base of Mt. Mulanje and is completely surrounded by tea fields as far as the eye can see. It is a beautiful location. I am a little nervous, since teaching was not my major, but I will be teaching science, which should be fine because of my medical knowledge. I look forward to passing on what I learned in all those biology and chemistry classes and labs! I also am looking forward to getting to know the students of the school, Not only in the classroom, but on the athletic fields and lunchroom, etc. I am also looking forward community building with them, and with the members of Southminster’s partner church members.
Fortunately, Mulanje area has two hospitals: Mulanje Mission Hospital and Mulanje District Hospital and I plan on volunteering at both of these hospitals when I am able.
What will I eat while I am there?
For the past 2 years I have eliminated gluten from my diet for health reasons. When I first thought about going to Malawi for a year I was concerned about what I would be able to eat. Luckily, the more I thought about it the more I realized that Malawi is a very gluten-free friendly country. The main food is called Nsima. Nsima is ground up corn that is then boiled and stirred into the consistency of grits. I will be able to eat this without a problem and I love it! This is paired with a “relish” of stewed vegetables such as cabbage, tomato, pumpkin leaves, or other in-season vegetables, that you dip the Nsima into and eat together. I will also be enjoying the huge variety of fruits and vegetables that will be grown by local farmers and sold at a market near where I will be living and working! Rice is also readily available, and chicken is abundant. Although I am sure I will miss the convenience of prepackaged foods that are quick and easy to make, I am looking forward to the challenge of learning to cook from scratch, with the help of my mom and sister's recipes, and using what I have available to me to create gluten-free creations.
What will the money I raise be used for?
This trip has been a dream of mine since the day we left Malawi in 2005. Unfortunately, behind every dream there is that a level of reality that must be met. Since I will be leaving my job, I will need funds for my flights over and back, for transportation while I am there, for electricity, water, food and internet (so that I can keep you all updated here on my blog!). I will also have to purchase special medical insurance since American plans don't work too well in Africa. The school will provide housing, but there will be other normal costs associated with homes, like paint and everyday repairs. I will probably have to purchase some supplies for my classroom and laboratory, to make it an effective learning environment. Thankfully with the help of all of you, the reality of this dream of mine is coming true!
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