5/11 - Volunteer!

Here is the last of the backlogged Blog entries. After this one, everything should remain relatively up to date and current as I now have internet (slow, unreliable) and access to electricity during the day.

 

                Yesterday was my first real day at site. I live here now! It was a good day, Made oatmeal and French press coffee for breakfast (I see a theme starting here) and had a curried vegetable/egg scramble for lunch and dinner – I swear I am a master chef by Malawi standards! (just teasing, the food here is pretty good most of the time). I played soccer with the local team and met new people, I read, I slept. Life is simple and good here. The only real hassle is starting and maintaining a fire for cooking, which I do 2 to 3 times a day – I am sure I will get better at it. (Update, I did improve, but now finally have a supply of paraffin oil which makes starting a fire so much much easier.)

                My Counterpart leaves Monday for a paid month off so it seems I will spend a lot of time exploring the nearby mountains (enormous hills?), getting to know the area, talking with my neighbors, and watching lizards roam my yard in the morning while I drink coffee and either read or write.

(Update here also – Currently I am spending a good chunk of the day in my office talking with my supervisor and reading while my computer tediously downloads updates and charges up on the solar electricity so it can then again download updates at night. It sure feels weird having electricity and internet again)

                So let’s see… where did I leave off? After our site visit we had a fast and busy 3 weeks to finish up classes, make last arrangements before moving, and take the dreaded LPI – the final language test. I received the grade of intermediate high, a step above what is required to swear in as a volunteer w/o mandated provisions to further your language learning. I plan to take a tutor anyways as it will only help to learn more chitombuka.

OH YEAH! I am now an official volunteer!!!

                The swearing in ceremony was at the ambassador’s house in Lilongwe and was followed by trays and trays of delicious snacks. While everyone else watched the dancers all of the volunteers spent the time following the food around and gorging ourselves on so many tasties – rich food that was a far cry from nsima. Afterwards we had pizza at PC Malawi headquarters and finished the day with pre-departure shopping for our sites. It was a good day.

                That was Wed, April 7^th. The next day we had our village appreciation ceremony for most of the morning. Speeches, certificates for our host families, dancing and the like. Certificates are a really big deal in Malawi and any recipient proudly displays them in a place of prominence in the home. This makes for a handy development tool as it motivates people to fully participate in trainings, really pay attention (we hope) and stay to the end.

                Back to the dancing! We were very lucky to have the Gule Wamkhulu or Masked Dancers present at both the swearing in and village appreciation ceremonies. https://www.google.com/#q=masked+dancers+malawi+gule+wamkulu&spell=1

 It was an awesome site to see and a very special cultural experience. My camera died, so I photos will have to come later as I get them from friends.

                I have started to receive my first letters from people and I very much appreciate them. Now that I am no longer in training and have more time on my hands I shall start responding! Again, Thanks for the letters – If/when you feel like sending any, hard prints of photos are awesome!! They give me something to show of my friends/family and home.

*** An additional note to my climbing buddies – I hope at least one of you has the chance to visit, I am in climbing heaven – There is a huge boulder field with some monster rocks right in my front yard and I am developing as you read this! This country is a hidden gem, Malawi is dotted in boulder fields, and exposed faces of rock. The chance for first ascents abound! There is a smattering of trad routes around the country, and if someone was truly adventurous and willing to put in the time/money, sport routes could be bolted. Bouldering seems to be the best option though if willing to visit this great country.***

                Take care!