Been There, Done That...
Helen and Verity volunteered on the Year Out Challenge, a now defunct programme of the Right Hand Trust, in Malawi
To everyone in rainy England, Hope you aren't too cold while we're slapping on the suncream.We've adjusted well to Malawian culture, shocking the locals with our liking for nshima (a playdough-like squish eaten with everything) and competence at chitenji (sarong-esque skirts) tying. They still find it hilarious watching our poor attempts at carrying things on our heads though!
The children next door take great delight in showing us the flies they catch and in demonstrating their nutritious value! We spend many evening hours playing piggy-in-the-middle with them.The football is also extensively used by the youth of the church. They are currently in training for the interdenominational football tournament we are organising. It is part of a bigger plan to encourage communication between the 30 or so different local churches. We are also understanding confusing chiche?a lessons (learning words that don't exist?!) to aid our pastoral visits. We have started a Bible study / discussion program for the youth, which is going well and the Mothers' Union hope to start their kneeler-making project soon.
As well as work in the church, we went to a "local" secondary school we had heard were short of teachers. When we arrived, the headmaster declared repeatedly, "Our prayers have been answered" - we are now heads of the maths and biology departments at Bandawe Girls' secondary school. Travel to and from Bandawe involves hair knotting pick-up journeys - the record so far is 21 people squished in the back along with much baggage and real live chickens. Helen has now got a bike - yes it's possible to cycle in a long skirt, be it a very frumpy one. All in all we are busy, but having fun.
Love and mangoes, Aaron and Verrit (aka Helen and Verity in Malawi)
PS: Helen initiated a small community project last weekend. She had just finished going to the long-drop (hole in the ground toilet) when she had a funny turn - she thought the floor was moving - no wait. the floor was moving! The mud floor collapsed but luckily due to an athletic leap she avoided the dubious depths below. The weekend was consequently spent with our neighbours, building a new "toilet" for us all to use.
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