Arrival in Malawi
hello everyone,
I have arrived in mw. the flights felt very long and i was very confused as to the day and the place where i was. i was very tired. I arrived on time and was met at the airport by Mabuto and his nephew. we proceeded to the city to buy groceries and exchange the money. the grocery store was neat as it was a shop rite and had many ‘western’ things like soy sauce and cereal.
i liked being in the city although it was very busy.
we arrived at the guest house late in the afternoon. it is a very run down place There are other guest staying there who are working for the mwian gov’t taking the census. The place is much Kwasi’s in Ghana but is very dirty. The cooking facilities are in a shed outside and there is no refrigerator. We were promised a working refrigerator but have now been told if we want one, we will have to pay for it above the cost of our nightly rent for the rooms. We were also told that there would be a cook who would prepare our meals if we wanted and who would clean our rooms daily. So far we have not seen this man.
The shower is a hose attached to the taps in the bathtub. and there is no curtain surrounding the tub. So far there has been hot water and I am hopeful that will continue.
Our guest house is quite a distance from the village. We walk to the end of our road where we flag down any number of vehicles who will take people to town free of charge. Often these vehicles are packed full like an Ikea commercial with people instead of mattresses and furniture. So far I’ve been lucky and have had comfortable rides except for once in the back of a truck where my head hit the roof and I was squished.
Quite honestly my adjustment so far has been very hard. I have felt lonely and isolated. I have felt afraid and sad. Yesterday morning we wok to no breakfast . We had no bowls or cutlery. We had only one fork the night before and couldn’t find it yesterday morning. I am afraid that a kettle doesn’t boil the water enough for me to drink it safely so I have not ben able to eat the oatmeal I brought. Yesterday I was ready to hug my friend Harry when he and his wife offered us orange pop and two slices of bread. It was my breakfast and my lunch. We were able to stop on the way home to buy some eggs and rice for dinner. Eggs and rice!! Oh my. At least it was food and I felt less hungry.
Today I am going to meet the people at social welfare and they will tell me what needs to be done next for the orphans. I am sure it will be exciting and interesting
I will continue to email when I can and perhaps I will send the emails only to Danielle and she can forward them to anyone who would like them or post them on a blog for people to read.
I have no photos to send but yesterday I got a good one of a goat coming out of a toilet pit latrine. Also a chicken hatching her eggs in Mabuto’s house.
I am hopeful that things will improve. I am adjusting slowly.
Thanks for reading!!
Tags: malawi, orphan care
Jennifer,
I can only envision what you are going through. Your description of the trucks takes me back to the disbelief and horror I felt in seeing them. At least you are not on your way to Livingstonia on them.
I am sure this is very difficult. As I sit on my deck feeling rather useless ( and rather bored), I often think of you with admiration. What you are doing is so important. I hope you can get some measure of comfort from knowing that you are in prayers.
Take care. I know you will find the necessary strength to do this. Give my love to Harry, Mbuto and anyone else I know.
Take care
Karen
ps did you get a room with a toilet seat?
Are things getting better?
Wow, Jen. You have really accomplished a lot. Please let Mbuto know how much I admire his committment as well. As far as him taking such a large role. If he is ok with it , it is the logical way to go. Keep in mind your goal. To help the children. You need to use whatever tools are at your disposal to accomplish that. At this point Mbuto is an important one.Christie may not have had the help you have, but she may have made some costly mistakes because of it.
Are mosquito nets something that should be purchased?
As far as not being spoken to goes, that must be hugely frustrating.
You are, however, dealing with the culture that isn’t going to change very easily. There may also be an element of just wanting to be in their comfort zone. It is just easier to talk to him. You are after all a misungu (did I get that right?) and a woman.
Again I would suggest keeping in mind the goal – the children. If things get done to your satisaction- even if you are being dismissed, is it really that huge a deal? Only you can decide. I really admire how you are able to deal with all the decisions in a logical manner. I am sure that many of them are difficult ones.
Jennifer, I am REALLY proud of you. You are in my thoughts daily.
Hi Jennifer….sorry we have not written sooner but the day you left the lap top got hit by lightning and is still away getting fixed…I am at Alice’s right now sending this to you….Dad and I are so proud of you and what you are doing…we did have some concern with your first letter stating you were hungry…this is not something that goes over well with a parent but we know things are better now…you are a fighter and when you set your mind to something you see it through …you have been this way since you were a little girl…we have faith in you and your decisions and know that you will be a success no matter what obstacles you come across…several people at our church have asked about you and wanted to know if we had any undates on your progress….I have given pastor Bill the info to get on here and he will post it on their bulletin board so those who are interested can check things out when they want to…..these children are so lucky too have you in their lives and so are we….we love you very much honey and look forward to seeing you and hearing all about your experiences when you get home…will write more when we get the lap top back…..love you…Mom and Dad