Monire mose.
Being here in Malawi is a wonderful experience which I really cannot describe fully. Bernadette has said a long time ago that you really have to experience coming to the country that words do not fully convey the experience and I totally agree. Being here stirs up emotions you never knew you had.
I have been very touched by the warm and sincere welcome from everyone in Malawi and particularly here in St. Peter’s Mzuzu.
My visits to St. Peter’s Primary have been most enjoyable and educational for me. We are looking forward to developing a meaningful partnership like the one that has been established between St. Matthew’s and St. Peter’s Secondary. Mr Shibwa, the head teacher and all the staff have been most welcoming. The children, as you can imagine, get very excited when they see us (asungu). I was taken aback by the number of children in the classes; ranging from 50 to over 70 pupils. It was overwhelming the other day when we entered one of the closed classrooms only to look down and see many faces looking up in the darkness at us. The classroom did not have electricity or desks. The young children were sitting on the floor with their paper on their laps, keen to learn about new things. A few of the classes for the older children have desks for the children to sit at. Standard 8 pupils are currently sitting exams for the secondary school.
Every day there is an assembly for the children. This is a gathering together time to hear the news of the day. Children are expected to communicate the news to their homes at the end of the day – perhaps we should try this instead of all the letters we send out? I love hearing the drum beat calling everyone to the assembly point which is outside near the outdoor classes. Music and singing is part of daily life here. It great to hear the children singing and see them dancing in school and at Mass. This morning we attended the Children’s Mass. Unlike, Scotland, there were very few adults at this Mass; older children brought their siblings to Church. There is a great feeling of happiness and community spirit everywhere you go, which deeply touches me. There is much we can learn from our friends here in Malawi.
Our donation from our fundraising is being used to kit out a classroom (standard 6) with desks which will mean 90 children will be able to sit. Already some of them have been made locally and this week 30 children were using them. Our donation is also being used for netball strips for the school netball team which has won some matches and leagues within the local area. The tailor is busy running up the bibs, he is using the bibs St. Matthew’s brought over as a template. Next week before we leave for home, we have been invited to watch the team play, wearing the new bibs.
There is so much I wish to share with you, but time is limited at the moment with our full schedule. Today we intend to visit the family of the teacher (there are 4 children) who committed suicide. Please remember them in your prayers.
Finally, my thoughts and best wishes to all of the group who are safely back home – Eric, Celia, Ally, Frances, Dominic, Michael N, Michael D, Jennifer, Monica and Caroline – wish you were still here, we miss you lots. You were all great company and I look forward to catching up with you on our return.
Anne Carmichael
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