Long weekend in Lilongwe

Recently we travelled to the capital, Lilongwe which is south of Mzuzu in the Axa bus – fast coach.  When we left Mzuzu it was raining and a little cooler than usual.  Looking out of the coach window, some of the landscape here is similar to Scotland; it is very green with fir trees line certain sections of the road.  Certainly on this morning the mist was down.

As we headed further south the mist cleared and the hot sun returned.  I love the journey to Lilongwe even though it takes around 6 hours.  There is always something interesting to see;  sellers on their way to market, children playing, bullocks pulling the cart, sunflowers and various crops growing.

Although we enjoy the hot sun, sadly the maize crops nearing Lilongwe have wilted and dried up due to the lack of rain in the area.  Between this, and the floods at the very southern part of Malawi, people are very worried about food.  The harvest will be poor and there will not be enough maize to feed everyone.  Already maize prices are rising and some maize is coming from Tanzania.  Many people will not be able to afford the maize which is their staple food.  However, it seems the Government has started looking at how the country will cope so hopefully it will be able to put in place some support.  I think it is really difficult for some of us to understand and imagine how people rely solely on one crop for their diet.

Finally we arrived at Lilongwe, later than anticipated but we spent a few hot days there around the shops and stalls.  Would you believe me, if I tell you that we went to Ad Lib…..same chain as the one in Glasgow?  The Malawian manger here lived for 17 years in Paisley.  We had several pleasant evenings here.

 We had an appointment at the British Council to speak with Wilfred who is responsible for promoting school partnerships.  We wish to assist schools with their partnerships, especially with improving communication which requires ICT to be developed.  

Visit to St. John’s Hospital

Once again we visited St. John’s Hospital which is very near us.  Maureen, mum’s friend has been very busy knitting cardigans and tiny jumpers for the new born babies.  There were 10 babies when we arrived there, yet it was amazing how quiet the place was.  The mums were very happy to receive the baby gift and to have their photos taken. 

Deputy Matron Salomie with baby Praise and her mum.

We met a very tiny baby named Gift.  She was born prematurely and only weighed 1.1kg.  However, she had put on weight and was now around 2.7kg.  She will be going home soon.  Fortunately Maureen had knitted some tiny outfits which will be just fine for Gift. 

Tiny baby, Gift.

 We also went to the Children’s Ward.  Several children had just been discharged so we met only a few of them.  Each child received a small pack of things (sweet, crayons, paper, whistle, toothbrush & toothpaste) and a small toy.  Their favourite was the small toy which immediately brought a big smile to each child’s face; thank you mum for sending them.

This camera shy girl liked the little doll.

This little boy loved the knitted toy soldier.

Letters from St. Mary’s Primary

The pupils of St. Peter’s Primary in Standard 5 were over the moon when they received letters from Primary 5 pupils in St. Mary’s Primary in Largs.  They were also delighted with the lovely Easter cards.  Over the next couple of weeks the pupils will draft their letters which we will carry back to the pupils at St. Mary’s.  Everyone is very happy to have the opportunity to communicate with friends in Scotland.  The children in Standard 5 are being taught full time in English now, whereas before teachers would communicate in Chitumbuka (local language), Chichewa (national language) and English only during English lessons.  The pupils are delighted to have the chance to practise their written English skills via the letters.  They read out their letters to each other and over the week they will read them aloud to their classmates.

Standard 5 pupils in Shift A with Mrs Mtika

Sharing cards and letters with each other.

Reading aloud the letter received from Scotland.

                             Standard 5 with Ms Saka.

Great excitement opening the letters in the library.

Reading the letters with great concentration.

Baby Martin

Baby Martin visited us with his Agogo (gran) Trinity.  He has just recovered after having a bad cough for a couple of weeks.  Now he is 4 months and weighing 7.5kg.  Today he is happily modelling his new blue cardigan which was knitted by Maureen in Scotland who is 90 years old.  The beautiful cardigan will keep Martin warm particularly now as the weather is getting cooler in the evenings.

Easter

We attended the Easter Vigil on Saturday night.  It began at 8 p.m. and finished at 11 p.m.  Although there was a lot of singing and dancing, the night was very hot and we found it to be a very long service. However, the Malawian people seemed to have plenty of stamina, to keep going for the full 3 hours.  Just like Christmas, the altar service ran round the Church ringing the bells to proclaim “Jesus Has Risen”.  Easter Sunday for us, was a quiet, restful day.

 The above photo is for everyone at Caledonia Primary.  Mr Thomas Mvula, DHT at Katawa Primary and link person to Caledonia, is second on the left.  The dancing group is just heading off to the Easter Sunday Chitumbuka  Mass.  I could not believe my eyes when I saw two younger boys ready to go, because they had danced for the full 3 hours at the Easter Vigil the night before. 

Recycling

This is Mr Bob who has his own workshop beside St. Peter's.  He makes Easter and Christmas cards to order.  His cards take a few weeks to make.  They are made from papers which are soaked for several days then put in the press.  In the photo Mr Bob is using the press. He then paints the designs on the card and envelopes. The envelopes are also handmade from recycled paper.