Looking back, the best way to describe my experiences in Malawi are through my e-mails home.
July 11th,
To all my friends, family, and supporters,
I am sitting in a small internet cafe in downtown Lilongwe. It has been 2 1/2 weeks since my arrival to this incredible place. I guess I will start from the beginning.
Over 40 hours, 3 stops, and 9 movies later, we finally reached Malawi. I met with the group of other interns in London, and instantly fell in love with the possibility of getting to know these people. We were all in the same boat coming off the plane, wearing the same clothes for the last almost 3 days, and tired beyond belief, but there was a certain excitment that amped our spirits. We finally made it to camp, had 5 minutes to change, grab water and a PBJ (my new best friend) and hit the road to visit the first orphanage. It was so hard being so tired, but the children danced.. and sang, they recited bible verses that they had memorized. They took our hands and danced with us. What a great beginning. Every morning I have worken up with the sun, the vivid colors of the early morning African sunrise dance upon the grasslands like nothing i've ever seen before.
Our living situation has gotten frustrating at times. We are in a compound, surrounded by a huge brick wall, two guard dogs, and electric fence, and guards with machetes 24/7. There are two dorm style buildings, one for girls the other for the boys. Bunk beds, two showers, and bathrooms. It is a lot better than what I had imagined, or planned for. We are lucky to receive hot water. The frustrating part of the living situation, is not being able to leave, feeling like even if we wanted to take a walk, it is too unsafe at times to go alone, we walk around the compound. I have made a friend, the German Sheppard that walks with me every morning. He sleeps by the door sometimes, waiting for our routine. The food isn't bad, well, that's kind of a lie. At first beans and rice were great, maybe the first week of lunch and dinner. I am tired of it now, but it is better than that national food of nsima, completely non-nutritious blend of flower and boiling water. There is always the option of PB&J, but sometimes you just have to suck it up and enjoy the food that the nationals have made.
We are working with 18 global interns (us) 2 of the guys are staying here for the next couple of years. We are also working with a team of national interns, our translators/life savers. We live, eat and work with them. It has been great to get to know them, one girl's story stood out where she used to be one of the kids that we played with. she was sponsored by COTN (Children of the Nations), and was able to eat and go to school. She is now in college, still sponsored, and working hard to achieve her dreams. She is giving back to her community by working for children that were once in the place that she was. Incredible.
The first week we were here, it was a combination of training and working. We are learning the language (or at least trying to) of Chichewa, all i've gotten to know is
"Muli Bwangi" - How are you?
and the proper response.
GZina Lako Ndani- What is your name..
and various other phrases that help me to attempt to communcate with the children I get to see everyday.
In the adventures of our first week, the second day we were here, we were given a list of items that we have to buy at the market to cook a Malawian meal. We were split up into teams, and sent off to the market with 2500 K ($1 = 149K) .. we had to translate the list on the way there and rush through the market, the first one home with all the items and money left over wins. The game was fun until we translate "nkhuku ya moya" - LIVE CHICKEN! I couldn't believe that I had a conversation with my friend hte night before, that I'll eat meat as long as I don't have to see it alive before I eat it. That all came crashing down. Needless to say, we got second in the scavenger hunt, and had to watch all 5 chickens die that night. I still can't eat meat.
There is a town near us called Mgwayi, where interns last year decided that they wanted to get COTN involved with that town. it is now a place where children immediately run up to you, hold your hand and start to play. It is one of my favorite places. We have the chance every Tuesday and Thursday to go to do house visits. We were assigned a family in the beginning and will be returning to that house for the entire trip. Our family is a family that recently lost a 3 year old daughter. It was a suprised death, and has grately affected the family. They were depressed, missed the harvest, and now have no food to eat. The two daughters that are remaining, and one of the greatest things i've seen is those girls smile for the first time since January.
... There is much much more I have to write, so many stories, so much has happened.. I have been writing everything in my journal so I will remember..
We are rushed to leave the cafe, going for a weekend away at a orphanage. Pray for me, think of me and be confident in knowing that you are in my thoughts. I miss you all very very much. I have received moments of homesickness in realizing how far away I am at times. Please respond to my email, it will be comforting hearing from you.
For now,
In Him,
Laura Beale
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