Malawi Day 3: Four Schools, Two Perspectives

What Ellie took away from today: My American obsession with time always gets the best of me here. We were told to meet at the van at 7:30 in order to get to the first of four schools by 8:00 am. When we showed up with two minutes to spare we found that our driver and the four people from Bridges to Malawi were missing. Will I ever learn how this time thing works? We were finally loaded by 8:30 and pulled into the first school yard around 9:15. No one seemed the least bit put off by this.

Wild coreopsis and white cosmos lined the shoulders of the roads along with tiny little red flowers that I have no name for. The clouds continue to astonish me as do the mountains and crazy rock formations that spring up huge for no reason I can understand. Cows and donkeys pulled wagons piled with tobacco or maize while young boys urge them on with switches. The roads are dirt, rutted, bumpy and dusty but the scenery is tremendous making the trips a delight.

We spent the day visiting four secondary schools within an hour or less of Kusungu. I had been to two of these schools before and found it fun to recognize the buildings and area. My friend Helen Penna and I had bought mattresses for one of these schools and I was interested in seeing if they were in use. It ends up that this week is Easter break so the mattresses were piled high on top of each other in just one room. Maybe this is for cleaning.

We taught the MCP curriculum tag teaming as necessary. Charlotte was the model and delighted the students with silly antics that made everyone laugh and relax. Olipa not only did her part of the lessons but translated my bits too. We gave out 610 kits today! Esme and Mary got everyone’s name and Tona, Brooke, Maddy and Matt helped to distribute the kits.  At the start of each class, we asked permission for Matt to be in the room and were told each time that he was “most welcome.”

We got a bit of internet time from one of the guys at K2Taso (this organization works with HIV/AIDS infected people). I sent the first two days of my blog and quickly checked email but just barely.

Dinner tasted extra delicious since we were so hungry and hot baths and clean hair make me feel almost myself again. I think I’ll add some sleep to that now.

Now Charlotte’s take on the day: Mornings start early here by the room filling with sunlight and sounds of sweeping, birds chirping and dogs hallowing. We devoured the largest, most  buttery, avocado I have ever seen for breakfast, and of course had some Malawi tea as well. Ellie and I rushed out the door to arrive on time and we made it with a few moments to spare. Hurry up and wait is a theme here. Esme, Mary, and Olipa waited with us enjoying their breakfast, a chocolate corn super protein drink. Eventually we piled into the van and began our journey to four schools.

Our Mtuthama Cooperative tailors, Mary and Esme.

The rides are bumpy and beautiful. We open the windows wide for air and to see the views better. We sit close to each other, sharing one bench with four large bags in the back. It is fun to wave at people passing on the roads, each time they seem so delighted and wave back with big bright smiles and enthusiasm.

We went to four different schools today, each filled with many eager young girls and teachers. The lessons are led by Ellie and Olipa, taking turns at explaining calendars, the process of menstruation, and the reason girls have periods. The rooms are jam packed from wall to wall with hundreds of curious wide eyes on a single faded chalk board. Together we count the days, practicing how to track a cycle. I have the honor of demonstrating how to wear the carrier, and each time I lift my dress (I am wearing spandex shorts under) I am greeted by the sounds of laughter, chairs moving on the floor, and squeals. I proudly put on the carrier and look up to see an ocean of girls standing on tables in the back to get a better view. I show them how to tuck the extra parts in to make it smooth, let my dress fall back down, and do a little dance for them. They roar with more laughter and clap loudly. I feel so full of joy. After everyone has a kit in their hand the girls sing an incredible song of thanks and do a dance. Their voices are loud, in harmony, and so proud.

This is Ellie with Bridget. At age 40, after having 4 children , she returned to school to achieve her goal of finishing her education.

 Our journey home felt extra bumpy, but that is probably because I sat on the roof of the van. As we drive through the towns I wave and smile at the people I see, and they return with even brighter smiles. I see people walking barefoot, carrying babies strapped to their backs with brightly patterned fabrics and holding large buckets of water on their head. The babies see almost always to be fast asleep. Children play games with sticks and bottle caps, scream greetings from afar and wave their little hands so fast. The roads look bright orange, and a soft layer of dust covers everything. The clouds in the sky are so fluffy that they look as if someone has painted them. The mountains in the distance are pointy and far between each other. Malawi is a beautiful, colorful, and vibrant country.

We returned home hungry and tired. Alice had a wonderful meal prepared and warm water for bathing. Soon we will sleep.