International

It has been much too long since I have written a decent post, and for that I am sorry. I have been doing so much, seeing a million new things and experiencing a thousand new memories. I have so much to write about that I am having some difficulties in pin pointing where I want to start. I would hate to leave out something so I will just take this one post at a time. In no time specific order. So let’s start with Wednesday…

The day started as it usually does–the sound of my 5am alarm and my already half awake self tossing under my mosquito net. Rainy season has been slowly creeping up on us here in Bunda so the morning air has lost its dusty dryness and now carries a damp sweetness. It’s refreshing. It had rained the night before and I could even see the struggles of green grass outside my window. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and the roosters were being their usual obnoxiously loud selves. After some phala (Malawian maize flour and ground nut porridge), and my habitual cup of instant coffee I was out the door and ready to make the journey to work.

Everyone in the village seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood this morning, and for that I thank the rains. We are coming into the hungry months now, which is when the harvest from last year begins to run out while the current year’s crops aren’t quite ready–so every drop of rain can’t help but make you smile. Every drop of rain means you are that much closer to a full and healthy crop, and more importantly, a full and happy belly. After greeting what seemed like twice as many people as I usually do, I eventually made it to the centre. I had managed to gather some of the centre’s kids on my way so after quickly delivering them to class, I was finally at the office.

Today me and Numeri were planning to visit a Child Based Community Care Centre (CBCC) in a village that is quite some distance from us. No problem though because we had our trusty bikes–or so we thought. Turns out that one of the bikes was in less than a reliable mood so we remained with one. I had the great idea of being Numeri’s personal bike taxi by carrying him on the back of my bike to and from the CBCC. Bike taxis are very common here in Malawi and I figured it was about time I jumped on the bandwagon, maybe even start up a business haha. Although I had never carried anyone on the back of the bike, I was more than willing to learn, which everyone found quite amusing. I guess it’s a good time to mention that in Malawi it isn’t as common for a woman to know how to ride a bike in the village, never mind know how to carry someone on the back. I always have been a rule breaker. Well, as it turns out I am quite the natural which–believe me–was incredible surprising to myself and Numeri when taking into account my relative lack of coordination. So we made it to and from the CBCC alive and well. We had some good laughs while I tried to keep us upright as we barrelled down a dirt road, way too fast, avoiding ox carts, other bikes and several pedestrians. Numeri is convinced I am the strongest woman he knows. But honestly, I have nothing on Malawian women–water on the head and baby on the back…I still can’t manage.

After a quick trip to the market to pick up some fresh greens because (yes!) it was market day, we were back at the centre. We had got there just in time to help with the afternoon feeding program but first I had some business to attend to. Since getting here I have really wanted to learn how to strap a baby to my back using a chitenje (Malawian wrap cloth). So today was the day. Ireen helped me hold Sheila, our brave 6 month old volunteer, on my back as I leaned forward and tied the chitenje over one shoulder and under the other arm. She was on there good and tight. Then it was back to the kitchen, time to serve up 204 plates to 204 hungry kids.

The afternoon was taken up by reports, lunch and some lunch hour devotion which is when all the staff get together and sing gospel songs and just give thanks for the day. It is such a good way to “decompress” from a stressful day. After the singing it was back down the long dirt road, to the mini bus and back home. I was feeling pretty good about myself by the time I got home and quickly melted into bed. I was exhausted.

So that is one day. And that is exactly how I have been taking my time here–one day at a time. Even writing about it right now makes me laugh as I think about all the looks me and Numeri got when I was carrying him through the village. Priceless. I think we have given them something to talk about for at least a couple weeks.

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