Meeting our committee

Because of our lovely lunch, we were late for our first meeting!!  We had fallen into ‘Malawi time’ on our first day and as such, the committee were ready for us (just) when we arrived.  However, we were warmly welcomed and we got down to business.

Our main goal today was to go through the programme and get updates where appropriate.  We were delighted when the committee had a lengthy debate as to how they would like to take the selection process for the bursary programme forward.  Both Jenni and I were very happy to see all members of the committee discussing the issues and being ably led by the Chairman.  We truly believe that the projects are in good hands with this Committee.  We also discussed our other meetings that we will be holding this week including with the Head Teacher of Chambe High School, the bursars, the communities with the goats, the Guild and so many more!  It was a long meeting, finishing as the sun set at 5:30pm but very productive.

It was a refreshing walk up to the chalet. We had arranged to have a meal at the Centre but unfortunately our request must not have been confirmed as there was ‘no dinner at the Inn’. We had a quick go on the Wifi and returned to the chalet. We will eek out some dinner with some cereal which Jenni brought and then will get some supplies tomorrow when the banks and the shops are open.

It has been a lovely day today, full of friendship, fellowship and partnership.  We are looking forward to the days to come and all the adventures they will bring.  

Church starts at 9:30...really?

We set the alarm so we could leave to walk down the 4 km to church in the morning.  It was slightly cool but the sun was starting to warm up the air.  Along the way we met lots of friendly faces and more calls of  ‘hello Jennbarr’. 

The church service actually started at 10:30 am so we were in plenty of time!  We had nice chance to explore the area around the school and the church.  Jenni has noticed some great changes, including four new classrooms and working taps.  One word of wisdom when discussing the new church and progress for its completion (it is now in its fifth year of construction), Mr. Nyambalo stated:  ‘Hurry hurry is not a speed’. 

At 10am we went into the Vestry to meet with the Session.  We were warmly welcomed as they planned the service for the day.  Jenni was asked if she would like to preach and declined due to us only just arriving. She was asked ‘if she could manage a prayer’ and indeed, Jenni said she could.  We also formed an instantaneous choir (we were listed on the ‘programme’ of choirs, seven in all) and taught the congregation ‘Welcome everybody’ then joined together for Kumbaya. 

The service started at 10:30 am and ended at 1:00pm!  However, despite the length, it was excellent to be sharing with them.  There was a wonderful variety of choirs singing traditional and modern songs. There was an electric piano (with the electricity run from a house about 400m away) and a band wearing blue satin shirts!  We got up and danced and sang altogether.  Pure magic. 

There were also traditional prayers and readings in Chichewa which we were able to follow  in borrowed Bibles and song books.    A collection was taken and the totals from each district were read out....interesting!

After lunch we were welcomed to the Session Clerk’s house for a drink.  We were overwhelmed when it transpired she was also planning to give us some lunch too. We had a lovely meal of rice, boiled eggs in a tomato sauce and some peas.  It was an honour to have such a warm welcome.

A warm welcome

We drove into Likhubula with excitement in our hearts. We stopped by Nancy’s Restaurant to say hello to a dear friend of Jenni’s before making our way up the hill to Likhubula House.  Who was waiting but members of our committee. Along the road, friends would look into the car and shout ‘That’s Jennbarr, welcome Jennbarr’ (note, all one word).  It was a special moment for Jenni to know that her friendship has not been forgotten in the 4 years that she has been away. 

We are staying at Likhubula House, Chalet 4 for the next 10 days.  It is excellent. We have a sitting room with wicker furniture, a kitchen, bathroom and a bedroom with three beds.  The floors are painted brick. There is plenty of space for us.  Up at the main centre, there are facilities for Wifi, meals and soft drinks.  It is a five minute walk up the hill) to the centre from our chalet and there are monkeys to spot.

After some packing it was an early night for us both.  We both slept well and woke with the alarm at 7: 15. Ready for our first full day.

It's good to be back

We walked through the departures door and there stood Lawrence our driver holding sign with our names. Soon after that, our dear friend Father Matthew Likambale ran up, so between the two gentlemen we knew we were in good hands.  Father Matthew was also accompanied by Sister Krista who is a nun in his parish.

We made a brief journey to the Sun Hotel for a refreshing drink.  Jenni, Lawrence and Father Matthew met to discuss our contract for the car and sign its agreement.  It was excellent to have Father Matthew there to witness.

From there it was time to fill up on petrol (no longer shortages here which makes a huge difference but by no means cheap!) and then start our journey down to Likhubula.

Journey to Malawi

Our journey started at 8 am on Friday the 28^th of June.  Iain Smith kindly offered to drive Jenni and I to Edinburgh Airport and we made good time.  Check-in was absolutely packed as it was the beginning of the school holidays.  For some reason we weren’t able to print out my boarding pass but this was quickly fixed at the desk.

The flight was slightly delayed but we arrived at Heathrow Terminal 5. Signage to get to the other terminals wasn’t superb and we ended up taking the bus. At one point Jenni was in the bus, I was still get my bags and doors were closed!  Yikes, we hadn’t even left the UK and we were going to be separated. Never fear, doors opened, bags on bus and off to Terminal 1

We got checked in at Terminal 1 with ease. Bags away and sent directly through Blantyre!  We had  lovely dinner and felt the excitement at last....we were on our way! In the check in we met up with a large group (27) with t-shirts emblazoned with ‘Classrooms for Malawi’.  In discussion with them, it turns out that I knew one gentleman, Tony Begley, who has previously done work for Mary’s Meals and has visited Kincardine in Menteith. They seemed to be bringing loads of balls etc as well as their skills in building classrooms so we wondered if they shouldn’t be called ‘Tennis Ball for Malawi’. They will be returning on our flight in two week so it will be interesting to hear of their progress. 

The flight itself was 10 hours and fifteen minutes.  We had a good meal and before the battle could begin in Les Miserables on my TV, I was fast asleep and managed a good 4 or 5 hours.  Jenni had a really good sleep just as we took off but wasn’t as fortunate during the bulk of the flight.

Johannesburg airport is fantastic!  We cleared immigration and had a couple of hours to wander around.  There are some lovely shops there and a few purchases were made! There was also an amazing statue of Nelson Mandela made out of wire, so we had our picture taken there, particularly poignant at this time of his failing health. 

The flight to Blantyre went quickly and 27 hours from leaving Dunblane, we had arrived in Malawi. Even better, so did all our bags!

I'm sure there's a song to be written from Fiona's packing blog.  Me, I'm carrying the tick remover!

Never mind, here's a preview of our programme to help you travel with us from your armchair.

28
Leave 8.30 
Edin - London - J’burg - Blantyre 

29
Arrive Blantyre at noon
Car and driver to meet us and drive to Likhubula
Be met by Committee

30
Both attend Likhubula CCAP church 
Pm meet Likhubula Committee

1 or 2
Visit to Mulanje.
Meet Jane M to discuss Goats Project
Visit market and Mount Mulanje Mission Hospital

1 or 2
Briefing with Mr S and Mr N re the current S4 bursars and issues for future selections

3
Visit to Chambe Secondary School to discuss Bursary Scheme and bring messages from Dunblane High School

4
Visit Goat Project
and Mvano (Guild)

5
Personal day -
Fiona and Jenni visit Hannah and Charles C handing over funds from Dunblane Road Race for sports development in schools

6
Visit sewing machine project
and
lunch with bursars

7
Can attend different churches. Jenni preach?
Pm meet the Chiefs

8
Meet and address Standard 7 learners.
Final meeting with Committee

9
Leave Likhubula at 10am.
Visit Chifundo Artisan's Network Project.
Joined by Father M. Stay in Balaka Catholic Women's Organisation

10
Travel to Monkey Bay + Cape Maclear.

Stay Fat Monkeys Lodge

11
Over 10/11 visit Sinthana Community Learning Centre (supported by family of BS in Killin) +
graves of Livingstone’s missionaries

12

Travel to Blantyre

Overnight in Leslie Lodge 

13
Check-in 11.20 

14
Arrive Edinburgh 13.00 

Getting ready at Ramsay Drive

As the song says 'well my bags are packed, I'm ready to go...'  Well almost.  The bags are packed but I am waiting for our commissioned tea towels to be completed (with our partnership details on them) and some packages from Mary and then we'll be off.  Oh, I forgot, two more days of work to go......then we'll be off!

In the bags so far I have........

• approximately 100 toothbrushes and tooth paste
• 100 medals from the Dunblane Hydro Road Race
• approximately 200 pens
• 10 bars of lovely Arran Aromatic soaps for our Village Chiefs
• gift bags
• About 25 bars of regular soap for gifts
• Mosquito spray by the gallon 
• Clothes for me to wear (of course!)
• First aid kits for gifts
• A blank 'charity' cheque to give to Mr. Chiromo's cluster schools on behalf the Road Race

and of course...lots of other stuff.  I have no intention of bringing most of this back and filling my suitcase with all the gorgeous stuff I am planning to buy at Chifundo Artisans' Network!