A Trip to Remember

Being able to share my Malawi experiences is one of my favorite things about this year. Whether it is through my blogs or in person, when people learn more about Malawi, I consider it a win. Over the past week I was able to share Malawi with my Dad and Nana and it was such a blessing. 

After 230 days without being able to hug my Dad, finally being reunited with him here in Malawi was certainly a highlight of my year. He brought with him my 86 year old Nana (his mother) who has been to Malawi once before in 2004-2005 when we lived here last, but never imagined she would have the opportunity to come back. After the long trip here we spent their first night resting at my house here in Mulanje and getting ready for all the adventures that lay ahead of us.

The next morning we traveled down into Shire Valley to a game reserve there called Nyala where you can see all sorts of wildlife including giraffes. It was especially fun to go here with my Dad since I know it is one of his favorite places and we used to visit it frequently as a family. While there we were lucky enough to experience all the park had to offer! We saw a beautiful herd of giraffes very up close and personal. We also managed to bury the car in mud (twice) but thankfully, managed to get it out both times.

From the park we then headed up to the top of the Zomba Plateau where we spent the evening at a cottage overlooking the massive Great Rift Valley. It begins here in Malawi and is like a spinal curve that then goes up through Africa.  Our time at the cottage was very restful and wonderful. The power went out while I was cooking dinner (that is nothing new) but I think I impressed my Nana when it didn’t bother me and I immediately started cooking over the fire we had made.  The following morning after we did a bit of shopping we then headed to our next stop, Kutchire Lodge in Liwonde National Park.

Since I was on a school break, this trip was really an opportunity for us all to relax and have a good time which we certainly took advantage of. At Liwonde we spent hours sitting on top of the lookout tower chatting and enjoying each other’s company, while admiring the various wildlife that would wander in and out of our view. We also were typical tourist and took a safari into the park to see herds of elephants, impala, warthogs and so much more in the morning, and then took a river safari in the late afternoon. In order to get to the main boat we had to take a canoe through some of the small inlets, which during we saw a HUGE crocodile which caused my life flash before my eyes, but I’m happy to report I made it through unscathed. Our time relaxing and enjoying the beauty of Malawi was wonderful!

Our next big event was attending Silas and Margaret Ncozana’s 50^th Wedding Anniversary celebration. This was such a big event that it will have its own blog, so tune in next week to read all about this amazing event and to see some of the pictures!

After the anniversary event, we traveled back home to Mulanje. My Dad has spent the last 5+ years working on, dreaming about, and facilitating the building and creation of St. Andrews Mission Secondary School, where I am living and working. On Monday he spent the entire day in a board meeting ironing out any obstacles the school is currently facing while Nana and I began to pack up their things and did some cooking. On Tuesday morning we all attended morning chapel where my Dad gave the students a great pep talk encouraging them to seize this opportunity they have and to really make the most out of it. He reminded them they are the bright future of Malawi and told them he would be cheering for them and praying for them every step of the way. It was amazing for me to sit there and watch him talk to the same students I teach every week and see that both of us care so deeply about their success and have such high hopes for them in the future. 

Later that morning, we were able to take my Nana, who is a retired nurse, to the local district hospital. No matter how many times I visit the hospitals here they always have a huge impact on me. I was very glad I had the opportunity to show a fellow healthcare worker the hospitals here in Malawi, which I think is always an eye opening experience for everyone.

That afternoon was the highlight of their trip for me.  My students had come back from their break so my Dad and Nana came with me to Form 1 Biology class to watch me teach. I was a little nervous to have them there watching me, but as I walked into the classroom and saw the students that I had been missing for two weeks, my nerves vanished and I was ready to get started. We have begun learning about the digestive system and what better way to learn than through demonstration. Since I had extra helpers in the room I put them to work. My Dad passed out homemade chocolate chip cookies to the students (which they were SO excited about) as I began to talk about the digestive system. The class went quickly and everyone there seemed to be learning and having a great time. My Dad even raised his hand and answered a question correctly! Having them in class with me and having them see what I have been doing for the past eight months was such a blessing and is something I will never forget.

Although it was a quick trip, having my Dad and Nana here renewed my spirits. Their presence and encouragement will help carry me through the last four months of my time here in Malawi. The memories that we made will stay with me for a life time. The opportunity to share a place that I love with people that I love is the greatest gift and I am very thankful for the opportunity to have it.

What Is In A Name?

As a teacher here, at the end of every term I am responsible for grading and recording the results of the tests that I administered to my students. At the end of Term 2 as I was looking at my grade book I couldn’t help but think as universal as this act is for teachers all over the world, the names in my grade book are some very different names than we are used to seeing in the States. 

 

Unlike in the United States where most people are known by their first names, here in Malawi people are known by their surnames (last names). When we first met the staff here at St. Andrews the head master had to ask the teachers what their first names were before he could introduce us because he is not used to calling them by their first names. Likewise, on the first day of class when I was asking the students to introduce themselves, many of them started by telling me their last names. Eventually everyone seemed to figure out that we are more accustomed to using first names and they have been so great at reminding us of theirs if we forget.

Some Malawians have names that you could find in many schools or workplaces in the United States such as: Steve, Vincent, Charles, Nancy, etc. However some names I have in my grade book I don’t think you would find many places in the US. In my Form 1 Biology class I have three students named Chisomo. Chisomo in Chichewa means grace. It is so fun to see these common names of Malawians that are so beautifully diverse from the names I’m used to seeing in the States.

It is my understanding after talking to several of my friends here that naming a child happens in a few different ways. Names can come from family members, emotions, situations, the Bible or the parents might just like a specific name. Whatever was going on in the lives of the family during the time of the birth of a child, can often times be portrayed in the name. This sometimes does not work out as well for the child, due to the fact they could end up with a name like Misery, but often they are joyous names. Angel, Praise, Blessings, and Happiness are all names of people I have met here in Malawi. Sometimes when a child is born prematurely or sick the parents will name it and if the baby beats the odds and recovers and survives they end up with a Chichewa name meaning “sick one” but at least they survived! I have been told by a few people their children have been named after loved ones that have passed away as a tribute to them, similar to customs in the states. 

No matter what the names of these people are, whether their name is Misery or Praise, they are all such a blessing to encounter and learn from. They may not always say my name correctly, I may not always remember their name off the top of my head, but their faces and their names will be carved into my mind and heart long after we say goodbye. I’m so thankful to have the opportunity to meet so many amazing people during my time here. Next time you sign your name, be reminded of the joyous names I mentioned and I hope they will bring a smile to your face as they do to mine.

Stuck in the Mud

One of the challenges that the rainy season presents is the effect of the rain on the dirt roads that cover the country. There are a few main tarmac roads that go throughout the country but for the main part, it’s dirt roads that take you places. I have learned that part of living and driving here is getting stuck in the mud occasionally. I have officially gone through what I’m learning to be this Malawian rite of passage.

 

As rain was falling I said goodbye to the friends we had been visiting and hopped in my car to head home. I knew it would be a tricky drive until I got back to the paved road but I thought I could make it. I made it maybe 100 yards … Driving in the mud is very similar to driving in the snow, your instincts tell you to do one thing, but you really should be doing another. As I approached a giant puddle that covered the road I thought to myself, “I don’t know how deep that is, so I should try to drive around it?”  I later learned this was a mistake. The side of the road that I decided to drive on was a deep mix of water and dirt, aka, mud. As soon as I started to drive through this area my wheels started to spin due to lack of traction, digging an impressive hole my car then sunk into and I was stuck.

I had to laugh as I walked back to see my friends and tell them exactly how far I had made it before I got stuck. Once there, they all gathered and we formulated a plan to get my car unstuck. Near where I got stuck there was a village, and as soon as the local people heard the car wheels spinning, they came over to see what was happening. By the time I returned to where my car was sunk in the mud with my friends a large group of local villagers had assembled, ready to help.

As frustrating as it was to be stuck in the mud, it was also a really beautiful experience. I was surrounded by people that didn’t know me, didn’t expect anything of me, and didn’t need to get covered in mud to help me, but there they were, willing and ready. As they surrounded my car and literally lifted it out of the mud, I was in awe of the Warm Heart of Africa. In awe of how strong they were when working together. In awe of just how giving and selfless the people are here. 

Together, the group that had assembled got my car unstuck. I was so grateful to all those who helped, without them I’m not sure what I would have done. Getting stuck in the mud is part of everyday life when driving in the rainy season. After getting stuck in the mud I have so many things to be thankful for, like the group of good Samaritans that literally lifted me out of a sticky situation, my friends that gave me advice for driving in the mud, for the roads I take advantage of at home (even with all the potholes they beat the roads here), and for the opportunity to even have a car to get stuck in the mud. Sure, by the end of this experience I was covered from head to toe with mud, but being reminded of the how beautifully selfless and giving the people here are made my time stuck in the mud a really good experience and reminder for me!