Well, after weeks of gathering clothes and supplies for Malawi I finally took the plunge and began to pack on Friday night. Some women from my parents’ community made 15 quilts which I will take and give to the children and some other friends. They are beautiful and will be perfect for the cool nights of June and July. I myself plan to use one while I am there. The quilts take a great deal of space in my luggage so I have had to be creative with my packing. On the plus side, none of the bags will be over weight. I have had to put some of the donated clothes away to take next year. I am still hoping to get some phones with SIM cards to give to friends.

I have yet to buy oatmeal and tea for my breakfasts. Of course they have tea in Malawi but I want a variety. The food will be lacking in variety so I want at least for the tea to have some flavour.

I have planned some parts of my trip. I will spend one weekend at an elephant reserve. I am very excited about this. Last year I did very little traveling. THis year I want to see as much of Malawi as I can. I plan to travel to the northern region which I have heard is very beautiful. I had hoped to cross over to Tanzania but I need a visa for that. I will take some US dollars and try to buy a visa but if I can’t, that’s ok. Tanzania may have to be an official part of a future trip.

I will be spending very little time with the orphans. I will visit that community for 2 nights early in July. I want to discuss with the cooks and community leaders what has been happening in terms of food, salaries and supplies. I will take the children to Bata to buy shoes. I am happy to see the kids. I am sure they know that the shortfalls in their food have not been because of my neglect but because of mabvuto’s deceit.

Mabvuto still has the maize he planted for the orphans. According to Azikiwe, who has come on board to oversee the operation, the maize is now harvested and piled on Mabvuto’s porch. Mabvuto sent me a message to explain that it is now shelled and ready to be put in sacks. He really dragged his feet on this process. I know there is much less maize than he claimed there was. His wives have indicated to Azikiwe that he has been selling maize and telling them he’s using the money to repay the orphan care. Of course the orphan care has seen none of this repayment.

For several weeks I feared Mabvuto. I no longer do. I now know he is a lying coward who hates confrontation of any sort. I guess that when I arrive in that community he will disappear. He will go stay somewhere else until he is told that I have gone. That’s absolutely fine with me.

All in all I am nervous about my trip but not scared. My nervousness now is normal fear of staying with people I don’t know very well. I am nervous that I might be bored or lonely. I plan to teach in at least one school. the lady I will stay with teaches at an elementary school so I will go with her to work some days. I do have many friends left in Malawi who are excited to see me and who I will be very glad to see. I have learned from last year’s experience the value of looking out for myself. There is always a way home if I need it. I won’t be so concerned about spending money. My safety and happiness comes before saving money. (that’s a tough one for me!)

I will try to write to you all from Lilongwe. I will be reasonably close to an internet cafe but electricity seems to be an issue so I may not get to email as often as I’d like. I promise to be safe and to try to have fun.

Thank you all for your continued support.

Share This: