Monire
Today was our last full day in Mzuzu. The morning was spent doing last minute shopping and saying our final goodbyes to the staff at St. Peter's Primary and Secondary. Bernadette handed over 100,000 kwachas and a lap top computer from St Matthew's Academy. The money will help to purchase very much needed textbooks while the lap top will be put to good use for admin purposes. In the afternoon in the lounge of the La La hotel we met up with the 6 students who came to Scotland in March to reminisce about their experiences. Each of the students recorded a separate video message for each of their host families back home in Scotland. They also produced several short films about their experiences which we hope to make use of during Malawi week in St Matthew's. It is very hard to express in words how great the impact the trip to Scotland has had on them; as a group they have forged such a strong bond of friendship with each other. We wish them well with their studies and hope to keep in touch. In the evening as a big thank you to Fr. Chunda, Fr. Joseph and Petros, the seminarian, we took them to an Indian restaurant, the "A1", in Mzuzu for their 1st taste of Indian food (perhaps not the best idea since we were travelling south the next day). The food was excellent with no after effects the next day; we certainly would recommend the restaurant to anyone staying or visiting Mzuzu.
Paweme
Paul, Bernadette, Celia and Anne
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
Monday 19
Monire
Today was our 2nd last full day in Mzuzu. In the morning Celia and Anne went to visit a coffee factory in Mzuzu arranged by Fr. Eugene. They both came back brimming with information about the process of coffee and also honey to entertain Bernadette. During our stay we have all enjoyed the Mzuzu coffee and we were interested to learn that it should be on sale in Scotland very shortly under the Fair Trade arrangements. In the afternoon we paid our last visit to the Mary Martha Orphans Centre to say our goodbyes. 3 of the orphans from the senior youth section entertained us with a short comedy play about modern life in Malawi; this was followed by the orphans in the nursery singing some songs. Bernadette gave the Centre 100,000 kwachas from donations from people back home in Scotland. On behalf of Mary Martha Roderick Kavouta assured us the money would be put to very good use in finishing the Centre's new building and helping to fund the various services provided. In the evening we were invited to Irene Jere's home for a delicious traditional Malawian meal.
Paweme
Paul, Celia, Bernadette & Anne
Today was our 2nd last full day in Mzuzu. In the morning Celia and Anne went to visit a coffee factory in Mzuzu arranged by Fr. Eugene. They both came back brimming with information about the process of coffee and also honey to entertain Bernadette. During our stay we have all enjoyed the Mzuzu coffee and we were interested to learn that it should be on sale in Scotland very shortly under the Fair Trade arrangements. In the afternoon we paid our last visit to the Mary Martha Orphans Centre to say our goodbyes. 3 of the orphans from the senior youth section entertained us with a short comedy play about modern life in Malawi; this was followed by the orphans in the nursery singing some songs. Bernadette gave the Centre 100,000 kwachas from donations from people back home in Scotland. On behalf of Mary Martha Roderick Kavouta assured us the money would be put to very good use in finishing the Centre's new building and helping to fund the various services provided. In the evening we were invited to Irene Jere's home for a delicious traditional Malawian meal.
Paweme
Paul, Celia, Bernadette & Anne
Sunday 18 July
Monire
We are all going to try and update you with our travels. On Sunday it was another wonderful day. The day began with the English Mass at 7.00 a.m. It was wonderful to get a lie in. At the Mass we said farewell to everyone. Although we all feel sad about leaving Mzuzu because we have had a fantastic time we know that God willing we will all return next summer. Our next Mass of the day was scheduled at one of the parish outstations (St. Joseph's) at 10.00 a.m. with Father De Chen. Bernadette did very well driving over the rough ground to get there. The Church at this outstation is a large wooden shed, although the Parishioners have been fundraising along with the support from the other Parishes in the area to build a new brick Church which will accommodate 500 people. By next year this should be completed. Once again we received a very warm welcome, despite the rain. Thankfully Celia chose not wear Bernadette's polythene poncho! Mass was a joyful occasion; a full Church of happy singers and dancers. Even although we do not speak or fully understand the language you can feel the love and the depth of the people's faith. The children were very eager to sit beside or at least get a close look at us. Bernadette and Anne came to the rescue of one little child who was outside looking in. He put his arm through the slatted wood and got stuck.
After Mass we were invited to share a meal with Father and the helpers. Sharing a meal here is a sign of welcome, just like we give visitors to our home a cup of tea. Today we had 2 lunches since we had already accepted an invitation to Daphne and Emmanuel Okoronkwo. Both meals were delicious (chicken, nsima, meat, beans and greens) despite the electrical power being off all day. For the first time the group was introduced to alcohol free Guinness. We spent a wonderful few hours at Daphne's catching up on all the news since she had been in Scotland. It has been a sad time for the family as Daphne's dad had died. However, now the family is looking forward to a new addition.
In the evening we still did not have any electricity therefore dinner was by candlelight. The special treat for dinner was a few of Father Chunda's pigeons. Needless to say we all decided to stick with the nsima, rice and vegetables. Afterwards we all had fun playing Uno with Fr. Chunda, Fr.Joseph and Petros (the seminarian) until bedtime.
Paweme
Anne, Celia, Paul & Bernadette
We are all going to try and update you with our travels. On Sunday it was another wonderful day. The day began with the English Mass at 7.00 a.m. It was wonderful to get a lie in. At the Mass we said farewell to everyone. Although we all feel sad about leaving Mzuzu because we have had a fantastic time we know that God willing we will all return next summer. Our next Mass of the day was scheduled at one of the parish outstations (St. Joseph's) at 10.00 a.m. with Father De Chen. Bernadette did very well driving over the rough ground to get there. The Church at this outstation is a large wooden shed, although the Parishioners have been fundraising along with the support from the other Parishes in the area to build a new brick Church which will accommodate 500 people. By next year this should be completed. Once again we received a very warm welcome, despite the rain. Thankfully Celia chose not wear Bernadette's polythene poncho! Mass was a joyful occasion; a full Church of happy singers and dancers. Even although we do not speak or fully understand the language you can feel the love and the depth of the people's faith. The children were very eager to sit beside or at least get a close look at us. Bernadette and Anne came to the rescue of one little child who was outside looking in. He put his arm through the slatted wood and got stuck.
After Mass we were invited to share a meal with Father and the helpers. Sharing a meal here is a sign of welcome, just like we give visitors to our home a cup of tea. Today we had 2 lunches since we had already accepted an invitation to Daphne and Emmanuel Okoronkwo. Both meals were delicious (chicken, nsima, meat, beans and greens) despite the electrical power being off all day. For the first time the group was introduced to alcohol free Guinness. We spent a wonderful few hours at Daphne's catching up on all the news since she had been in Scotland. It has been a sad time for the family as Daphne's dad had died. However, now the family is looking forward to a new addition.
In the evening we still did not have any electricity therefore dinner was by candlelight. The special treat for dinner was a few of Father Chunda's pigeons. Needless to say we all decided to stick with the nsima, rice and vegetables. Afterwards we all had fun playing Uno with Fr. Chunda, Fr.Joseph and Petros (the seminarian) until bedtime.
Paweme
Anne, Celia, Paul & Bernadette
Saturday, 24 July 2010
Internet access at last!
Monire mose,
Sorry to all our intrepid followers for not keeping you up to date with our recent adventures. We had no electricty all day Sunday and then our last 2 days in Mzuzu were hectic, trying to see everyone before we left. We are of course on tour at the moment and I'm writing this post in the very posh Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre. Obviously that is not where we're staying - only popped in for a drink and flushing toilet!
It was my turn to write last Saturday's blog so I'll perform my duties in as few lines as possbile.
We attended the ordination of Deacons Kondwani & Tony in Nkhamenya. This involved getting up even earlier than usual and driving for 2 and a half hours to reach Nkhamenya before 9am. The ordination Mass was only 4 hours - the shortest one I've been to! It was of course a fantastic celebration with lots of colourful singing and dancing. Afterwards we had dinner with all the priests of the diocese before heading back to Mzuzu.
That doesn't do the Mass justice at all but it will have to do. Hopefully my travelling companions will manage to post over the next day or two to fill in the rest of our adventures. Heading to Cape Maclear tomorrow for a few days total relaxation before returning home.
Pawemi,
Bernadette, Celia, Paul & Anne
Sorry to all our intrepid followers for not keeping you up to date with our recent adventures. We had no electricty all day Sunday and then our last 2 days in Mzuzu were hectic, trying to see everyone before we left. We are of course on tour at the moment and I'm writing this post in the very posh Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre. Obviously that is not where we're staying - only popped in for a drink and flushing toilet!
It was my turn to write last Saturday's blog so I'll perform my duties in as few lines as possbile.
We attended the ordination of Deacons Kondwani & Tony in Nkhamenya. This involved getting up even earlier than usual and driving for 2 and a half hours to reach Nkhamenya before 9am. The ordination Mass was only 4 hours - the shortest one I've been to! It was of course a fantastic celebration with lots of colourful singing and dancing. Afterwards we had dinner with all the priests of the diocese before heading back to Mzuzu.
That doesn't do the Mass justice at all but it will have to do. Hopefully my travelling companions will manage to post over the next day or two to fill in the rest of our adventures. Heading to Cape Maclear tomorrow for a few days total relaxation before returning home.
Pawemi,
Bernadette, Celia, Paul & Anne
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Friday 16 July Part 2: Children's Party
The Orphans' Party at the Women's Institute
Some of the children wearing the football tops and teeshirts sent by several sponsors back home
The children playing with some of the toys and games we brought from Scotland. The younger children loved the yoyos.
The divide between rich and poor in Malawi is great; Malawi is the 2nd highest country in the world in relation to the gap between rich and poor. The gap between the north and the south is also great with the south by far the richest.
Some of the children wearing the football tops and teeshirts sent by several sponsors back home
The children playing with some of the toys and games we brought from Scotland. The younger children loved the yoyos.
The divide between rich and poor in Malawi is great; Malawi is the 2nd highest country in the world in relation to the gap between rich and poor. The gap between the north and the south is also great with the south by far the richest.Monday, 19 July 2010
Friday 16 July
Monire
Back in Mzuzu, the first full day after our jaunt to Nkhata bay, it was back to business as usual for us. In the morning we visited the schools: Bernadette to the secondary school, Anne and Paul to the primary school. At the primary the Head Teacher held a school assembly. In front of the teachers and pupils Anne gave Mr Shawa a cheque from St Mary's Primary in Largs for 1,000 pounds. The gift was gratefully received and will be used to purchase more books for their new school library.
In the afternoon it was off to the Women's Institute for the party with the orphans. Money had been donated from individual staff members and friends from St Matthew's to pay for the party. We enjoyed ourselves playing various games with the orphans: rounders, frisbee throwing, skipping and yoyos. After the activities the orphans were fed a meal of rice, nsima, greens, a meat stew with potatoes, finished off with a either of a bottle of Fanta or Coca Cola. This was a real treat for the youngsters. Bernadette and Anne helped the ladies dish out the food to the youngsters. Each child also received a gift of a lollipop, a small toy animal, a balloon and a party hooter. The children were extremely delighted to receive the small presents, especially the party hooters which they blew continually. Some of the neighbours from the surrounding area thought it was the world cup all over again with the sound of the vuvuzelas. Bernadette also handed over to the women at the Institute various gifts from St Matthew's Academy and several private donors and sponsors: a lap top computer, a couple of footballs, a sum of money (100, 000 Kwachas)and tee shirts. Again the money will be put to very good use such as buying blankets for certain needy orphans and funding their orphan feeding programme.
It is very difficult not to get emotional at seeing the great joy in the childrens' faces at receiving what most people back home would regard as trifling. So after an emotional charged afternoon it was time for some light relief; off we went to the house of Sister Ann and Lesley for some drinks and a takeaway pizza; yes, even in Mzuzu there is a takeaway pizza place. Then, to finish the evening it was off to the Sunbird Hotel to sample the famous Safari disco for a couple of hours.
Paweme
Paul, Bernadette, Anne & Celia
Back in Mzuzu, the first full day after our jaunt to Nkhata bay, it was back to business as usual for us. In the morning we visited the schools: Bernadette to the secondary school, Anne and Paul to the primary school. At the primary the Head Teacher held a school assembly. In front of the teachers and pupils Anne gave Mr Shawa a cheque from St Mary's Primary in Largs for 1,000 pounds. The gift was gratefully received and will be used to purchase more books for their new school library.
In the afternoon it was off to the Women's Institute for the party with the orphans. Money had been donated from individual staff members and friends from St Matthew's to pay for the party. We enjoyed ourselves playing various games with the orphans: rounders, frisbee throwing, skipping and yoyos. After the activities the orphans were fed a meal of rice, nsima, greens, a meat stew with potatoes, finished off with a either of a bottle of Fanta or Coca Cola. This was a real treat for the youngsters. Bernadette and Anne helped the ladies dish out the food to the youngsters. Each child also received a gift of a lollipop, a small toy animal, a balloon and a party hooter. The children were extremely delighted to receive the small presents, especially the party hooters which they blew continually. Some of the neighbours from the surrounding area thought it was the world cup all over again with the sound of the vuvuzelas. Bernadette also handed over to the women at the Institute various gifts from St Matthew's Academy and several private donors and sponsors: a lap top computer, a couple of footballs, a sum of money (100, 000 Kwachas)and tee shirts. Again the money will be put to very good use such as buying blankets for certain needy orphans and funding their orphan feeding programme.
It is very difficult not to get emotional at seeing the great joy in the childrens' faces at receiving what most people back home would regard as trifling. So after an emotional charged afternoon it was time for some light relief; off we went to the house of Sister Ann and Lesley for some drinks and a takeaway pizza; yes, even in Mzuzu there is a takeaway pizza place. Then, to finish the evening it was off to the Sunbird Hotel to sample the famous Safari disco for a couple of hours.
Paweme
Paul, Bernadette, Anne & Celia
Saturday, 17 July 2010
Leaving Nkhata
Apologies to all of our followers for the late posting of this blog - I can give no excuses, other than the usual ones of tiredness, busy-ness, laziness, and difficulty accessing the net.
However, Thursday saw us leaving Nkhata Bay. Roderick Kavuta, of the Mary Martha Orphan Centre, came to collect us and joined us for breakfast before we left.
Whilst we were all happy to be heading back to Mzuzu, we tried to eke out our last couple of hours in the sunshine - Mzuzu enjoys a much cooler climate than the blistering heat of Nkhata Bay.
As we left Mayoka we stopped at the traders' stalls en route, picking up a few gifts which they had been making for us. We said our "Goodbyes" and headed into Nkhata to pick up some fish to take back to the Priests' house. Sadly we left fish-less!
We arrived back in Mzuzu about lunchtime. We had lunch, unpacked, and prepared ourselves for an afternoon visit to Mr Shawa's house - Head Teacher of St. Peter's Primary School. We met Mr Shawa at the school and he led us to his house. His house is in the township of Zolozolo - a small suburb of Mzuzu, approximately thirty minutes from St. Peter's. Mr. Shawa led us through all the shortcuts - over burns, up narrow paths, through communities. We were all glad that we didn't need to make such a trek on a daily basis, getting to and from school!
On arrival at Mr Shawa's house we met his wife, son and nephew. We enjoyed their company, and a meal which Mrs Shawa had prepared for us. Mr Shawa's neighbours visited after the meal, coming into the room which we were in and sitting on a bamboo mat which had been put down for them. The company was good and camaraderie was shared. One little boy, obviously not used to seeing Mzungos (white people), was visibly distressed when he saw us. He screamed and cried for a long time!
After an hour or so we visited Mr Shawa's other house - the house which he currently lives in - and made our way back home. We were introduced to many of Mr Shawa's neighbours on the way, which was lovely.
A very early night was had by all. Indeed, even staying up for tea proved difficult for some.
Age doesn't come alone...
Mayoka had been great fun and our visiting had been very enjoyable but batteries now needed to be re-charged in preparation for our next few days in Mzuzu.
Paweme.
Celia, Bernadette, Paul and Anne
However, Thursday saw us leaving Nkhata Bay. Roderick Kavuta, of the Mary Martha Orphan Centre, came to collect us and joined us for breakfast before we left.
Whilst we were all happy to be heading back to Mzuzu, we tried to eke out our last couple of hours in the sunshine - Mzuzu enjoys a much cooler climate than the blistering heat of Nkhata Bay.
As we left Mayoka we stopped at the traders' stalls en route, picking up a few gifts which they had been making for us. We said our "Goodbyes" and headed into Nkhata to pick up some fish to take back to the Priests' house. Sadly we left fish-less!
We arrived back in Mzuzu about lunchtime. We had lunch, unpacked, and prepared ourselves for an afternoon visit to Mr Shawa's house - Head Teacher of St. Peter's Primary School. We met Mr Shawa at the school and he led us to his house. His house is in the township of Zolozolo - a small suburb of Mzuzu, approximately thirty minutes from St. Peter's. Mr. Shawa led us through all the shortcuts - over burns, up narrow paths, through communities. We were all glad that we didn't need to make such a trek on a daily basis, getting to and from school!
On arrival at Mr Shawa's house we met his wife, son and nephew. We enjoyed their company, and a meal which Mrs Shawa had prepared for us. Mr Shawa's neighbours visited after the meal, coming into the room which we were in and sitting on a bamboo mat which had been put down for them. The company was good and camaraderie was shared. One little boy, obviously not used to seeing Mzungos (white people), was visibly distressed when he saw us. He screamed and cried for a long time!
After an hour or so we visited Mr Shawa's other house - the house which he currently lives in - and made our way back home. We were introduced to many of Mr Shawa's neighbours on the way, which was lovely.
A very early night was had by all. Indeed, even staying up for tea proved difficult for some.
Age doesn't come alone...
Mayoka had been great fun and our visiting had been very enjoyable but batteries now needed to be re-charged in preparation for our next few days in Mzuzu.
Paweme.
Celia, Bernadette, Paul and Anne
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