During my last week in Malawi we went to the water board to sort out our bill. Even though we’d registered as a personal account the water board had us classed as a commercial tap. This means that the rate we pay is about 60% more than we should be paying. In Malawi things don’t move quickly. We were assured that the account would be changed but the change would not be reflected until the October water bill. Grudgingly I paid the July bill of K1900 (about $16.50). I decided that with the rising cost of food I had to adjust my budget. I told Mrs. Chatuluka on whose property the tap is located, that I would be willing to pay up to K1000 per month for water. The water board people assured me that this was a reasonable amount to budget. I told her that if the bill exceeded that amount I’d shut off the water entirely. I didn’t anticipate that the bill would exceed this amount since there was a lock on the tap. We gave Kelita the key and told her to give it to no one. She was told that if she gave the key to anyone she would be in danger of losing her job. Really, Kelita is very trustworthy.

When he went to the Day Care this week Mabvuto was presented with a bill for K2400 (about $18.00). When he saw this he was very angry. He spoke to Mrs. Chatuluka who claimed to know of no reason for this large bill. Kelita then took Mabvuto to the cow pen where there is another tap attached to the same water line. We were never told of this tap. Obviously the Chatuluka’s didn’t want us to know about it. Mabvuto immediately affixed a lock to that tap.

When he returned the next day he was told by Kelita that the Chatuluka’s had gone out the previous night and detached the water meter and took water directly from the pip. Mabvuto then went to the water board and told them to fix that.

When I heard all of this I told Mabvuto to pay the K1000 we had agreed upon. I told him to give Mrs. Chatuluka until today to pay the balance. I instructed him to go to the water board and have the tap shut off if the balance is not paid. The cooks can walk to thte nearby public tap. It will save me money.

I’ll be happy when I have my own building so that I don’t have to deal with this family. I assume the behaviour is done out of spite because I fired Maemory.

Maemory sent Kelita to collect the pay which she refused to take when Mabvuto twice offered it to her. He sent it with Kelita. He’s a nice guy.

Tags: africa, itatu, itatu orphan care, jennifer douma, malawi, orphan care

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There’s not a whole lot going on in my Malawi life these days. I sent the money to purchase the land via a bank wire. It was the least expensive way I could find. I’ll look into PayPal later. I’ve just set up that account.

Thanks for all of the donations. It is much appreciated. I am so honoured that so many of you, who don’t know me, believe in what I am doing and are supporting me. I will soon post a list of costs so that you can see just how far your donations can go in Malawi.

Mabvuto has malaria. It is his second bout this year. He should be fine in a few days but he has been too ill to go make the land purchase. He has decided to take Kelita with him as a witness since it will be a very large sum of money he will be handing over. Malawians aren’t always honest unfortunately.

The new cook, Elles, started on Monday. I’ve heard good reports about her. At this point maemory, the previous cook, is still being difficult. Mabvuto has tried twice to give her the salary she is owed but she refuses to accept it. Twice she demanded a meeting with the social welfare people and Mabvuto and both times she failed to show. I’ve told Mabvuto not to agree to any more meetings and not to chase her down to offer her the salary. If she doesn’t want it, we can use it elsewhere. Her stubborn attitude is quite amusing to me. I don’t understand her and I’m glad she’s gone.

My class will soon write their first letter to Malawi. I’m also going to see if any kids in grade 5 or 6 want to become pen pals with any of the orphans. Pen pals are great fun when you are a kid.

Anyway, that’s what’s going on. This weekend I will write thank you notes, write a letter to solicit money from ETFO and CTF and try to work on the slide show. It’s all good stuff.

Thanks again for reading.

Jennifer

Tags: africa, itatu, itatu orphan care, jennifer douma, malawi, orphan care

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I finally went to the bank today to wire money to Malawi. It’s my first time wiring money. I hope it arrives! I’m looking into other options for sending money. I’ve been told one can email a personal cheque. Does anyone know about this? Anyway, the money will pay for the 1.6 acres of land and we can soon get started on purchasing the maize seeds and preparing the land for planting.

On the weekend Mabvuto interviewed 4 ladies for the job of cook. He was impressed by 3 but they all demanded a higher salary than we are willing to pay. He offered the job to the ladies at the salary we have budgeted for and asked them to think about it and get back to him. Today a lady named Alice who is a single mother of a 4 year old accepted the job. Kelita, who was at work when Mabvuto arrived at the Day Care at 5:45 am, will once again have some assistance. I don’t think she needs assistance but I’m sure she’ll like the companionship. It is good to have two cooks in case one does not feel well or has other obligations. I hope Alice is as hard working as Kelita.

I’ve got many things to do.

Many of you have donated money in support of this project. Formal thank you notes are soon to come but in the mean time please accept this as a very sincere and appreciative thank you!

As I said I’m looking into options for getting money to Malawi. I hope only to have to send money in January and March. The rest, I’ll carry over with me in June.

I am also very interested in obtaining charitable status. I’ve got to find a lawyer or an accountant who knows where I should begin. I’ve looked online and the process seems very intimidating. It is definitely a priority that I need to get to.

I’ve got to get some photos printed and some sort of presentation ready to show people here. I want you all to see the people and places I write about.

The website will undergo some minor changes. Keep checking on it. Collin, Danielle and I will be discussing those changes in the next few weeks.

I also have to teach grade 1 and maintain some sort of life! Wow, it’s busy.

I wrote this note mostly just to say thank you to all who have offered emotional support. I love to hear that you’re reading the blog. It makes me feel good.

Tags: africa, itatu, itatu orphan care, jennifer douma, malawi, orphan care

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