When I first came to Malawi it was part of a joint project between the Canadian Teacher’s Federation and the Teacher’s Union of Malawi… I was impressed by the work done by the union to help their members upgrade. I became good friends with Denis, the secretary General of (Teacher’s Union of Malawi (TUM). [...]

In case anyone wants to know, it is currently gecko mating season. I know this because the gecko or geckos that run around on my walls are now making a strange chirping noise. Apparently that is their mating call. I’ve not seen them in the act but I’m not really watching for that.
The other [...]

I have a bit of time in the lab today so here are some more random thoughts about life here.
A birthday card arrived this week. It took just over a month. The only other mail has been a FedEx package. It is frustrating for me because I love getting stuff but also [...]

Costs for Secondary School
In Malawi there are at least three secondary school options.  A student can go to school full time during the day, part-time in the afternoons or they can attend a boarding school.  The costs for each are as follows:

Part-Time Learning

Per Term
Per Year

Tuition
$18
$54

Uniform (1)

$8

Text Books

$220

Exam Fee

$9

Total

$291

Full Time Day School

Per [...]

Malawians have no respect for personal space. They will push or cut in front of anyone in a line. They don’t seem to mind being squeezed into a packed mini bus. They will walk along the street behind a stranger at a very close distance.
I went to the bank to open an account. When [...]