We had arranged to hold our last committee meeting at 2pm at
Nancy’s restaurant. Before that we were due to meet with Mvano but no one
showed up. The rest of our committee was definitely in Malawi time
as the meeting only started at 3:15 pm!!!
As the members arrived we had the laptop (that the Dunblane Committee
are gifting to aid in communication) up and running with a slide show of not
only our current visit but also previous trips.
It was a real hit. Our committee
stood around oohing and aahing and having a good laugh. We even had some videos of some of the choirs
singing which we played during dinner.
The meeting itself was great. A lot of it was a confirmation
if decisions that had been made with various groups during the week.
There was further discussion about the Tailor
Project
(mmmm) but also a real
affirmation about how well the visit had gone and the impact that the
Partnership was having in both communities.
During the meeting, one of the bands from the church
arrived. Formerly known as Brothers in Christ they have renamed themselves the
Likhubula CCAP Band as they had a young woman join. As the sun set, they played
one of their CDs and sang and danced along.
It was so much fun!
Nancy had made a lovely meal. We had pizza as a starter and
some of the committee had never tried it.
It was then lovely chicken and rice for dinner with some veggies. Jenni and I are always amazed at how much
food can go on a Malawian’s plate, it’s piled right up high. Nancy announced that there was some extra and without even
finishing what was one their plate, some went up for more. I think there was a plan to take some home
(small plastic bags were produced out of pockets) but Nancy was quite honest in saying that the food had
been made for them.
Nancy also made a gorgeous cake that she decorated
herself. I loved that she started out
writing Dunblane but didn’t have enough space so the ne came on the next
line!
We also exchanged
some gifts of pens and Scotland stickers. We were given lovely handbags made of
wood and some beautiful cloth. Mvano
also gave us some homemade bags that they had sewn themselves (future tailor
project?)
There was a real sense of
community and fellowship at our meeting and indeed all week. It was a lovely way to finish up our time at
Likhubula. Car leaves tomorrow at 10 am
for Balaka and Chifundo Artisans’ Network.