The Time is Drawing Near
I will be in Malawi five weeks from today. I am a bit nervous and a bit excited about the adventures I’ll have this summer. I will be spending time in a few different location I will make Lilongwe, the capital, my home-base. From there I’ll be traveling to the far north and possibly crossing over into Tanzania. I will also spend some time at a wildlife preserve near the lake. I am looking forward to these trips. Last year I saw only Ntcheu and the tea plantations of the south. Malawi is a beautiful country and I look forward to exploring more of it this year.
During my stay this summer I will most likely be researching a new location for Itatu. Mabvuto has continued to be difficult. He no longer answers my calls or communicates to me in any way. He has also stopped answering the calls of those we brought on board to straighten out the problems earlier this spring. At this point, the children are still receiving regular meals and the cooks are getting their salaries but I believe Mabvuto will soon stop providing these things.
The Teacher’s Union of Malawi has encouraged me to involve them in the selection of the next management team. They wish to monitor the new day care centre and be involved in screening candidates for the role of manager. This is a welcome suggestion and I am grateful for their assistance.
I do plan to go to Ntcheu to see the children. I want to give them some books, school supplies and toys. I also hope to take them to buy shoes, as they were supposed to receive them at Christmas.
My nephew donated some of his old clothes for me to take to the children in Malawi. I hope to get more clothes to take as the people there are always so grateful for clothing from North America. I am also gathering cell phones and jewelry to give to the adults I stay with and work with.
If anyone has anything they’d like to send to Malawi for the children or for the adults please let me know and we can arrange to meet so I can get them. Thank you to those of you who have already donated.
I will send updates on my adventures while I’m away and I hope you will continue to support me and root for the success of a new project.
Thank you for all of the love and encouragement over these last few difficult months.
Where is INSET this year? I will try to mail you some things this month to take along. I think I may have some jewelry I can give you. GOod luck and take care! nan