The Malawi Project, Inc » About Malawi http://www.malawiproject.org We're Changing a Nation Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:46:04 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Looking in on Msipe Health Care Center http://www.malawiproject.org/looking-in-on-msipe-health-care-center/ http://www.malawiproject.org/looking-in-on-msipe-health-care-center/#comments Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:46:54 +0000 Richard Stephens http://www.malawiproject.org/?p=1007 Thondwe, Malawi … One hundred and twenty kilometers north of Zomba is located the Msipe Heath Center, and it is to this location that supplies from the Malawi Project have been delivered by the Namikango Mission staff. Wilson Tembo, the Manager of the Malawi Project’s southern warehouse recently traveled to Msipe to look in on the staff, and the supplies that had been sent to the facility. Tembo gives this eyewitness report.

“I recently had the opportunity to visit the Msipe Heath Center, and now I have a better view of what they need, and how they are using the resources we have sent to them. On our trip to the facility we noted the roads were nearly empty, as most of the vehicles were sitting at empty fuel stations waiting for some unsure moment when more fuel will arrive. The fuel shortage in the nation is critical, and it is affecting all movement.”

“With a sufficient reserve of fuel in our tank we made our way to this 39-year-old facility, arriving at mid-morning. The buildings house maternity, general medical, nutrition, and outpatient. As we entered the facility most of the staff were quite busy caring for patients. The sister nurse in charge escorted me around, and shared the challenges they are facing. We passed the dressing room, and the consultation room (this later room also serves as the drug store). They were nearly empty, and looked hungry for supplies. The exam room was so old that it should not even carry that name. The nurse pointed it out with some regret.”

“I learned this facility serves a population area of 27,000 people, (the original plans were for it to serve only 10,000 people). It faces a continual challenge with supply shortages. As fast as we deliver, they use them for patient care. Msipe is near the top of our list of facilities receiving aid. This is true for several reasons.”

One is the fact they are using the supplies to help the very, very poor. This is a major reason we choose these types of facilities to receive aid. Second, if we can outfit these rural facilities with supplies the people will attend close to home and not overload the district facilities who are overwhelmed each time the rural facilities run out of supplies. Third, it is in a rural area. When these facilities run out of drugs people are forced to walk, cycle, or go by ox-cart to other facilities. There is a high chance that by the time they get there these other facilities will also be out of supplies.”

The trip through the facility begins to draw to a close, and Tembo concludes his report.

“The nurse said to me, ‘Our challenges are many. We generally lack drugs, gloves, exam couches, beds and mattresses, among other things.’ I noted this facility has only one medical assistant and four nurses. They are delivering 60 babies a month, and they admit 30 patients a week.”

By Wilson Isaac Tembo

]]> http://www.malawiproject.org/looking-in-on-msipe-health-care-center/feed/ 0 Chiefs in Tennis Shoes http://www.malawiproject.org/chiefs-in-tennis-shoes/ http://www.malawiproject.org/chiefs-in-tennis-shoes/#comments Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:31:12 +0000 Richard Stephens http://www.malawiproject.org/?p=1000 Chiefs in Tennis ShoesMkutu Village, Malawi … The crowd was growing, and it was evident it was an important event for the area because of the number of government, local, and tribal dignitaries who were arriving for the program. It was the ground breaking for the new hospital to be constructed north of Dedza near Mkutu Village. The facility is a joint venture through the efforts of the Dzidalire Community Development Agency in Malawi, and the Malawi Project in the United States.

It is often difficult to recognize a chief from the rest of his or her village. They live in the same village among the people they serve, and in dress and possessions, there is often little or no difference between them.. It is quite different than with many, if not most, politicians around the world who are immediately recognized in their stand out appearance from those they are commissioned to serve.

As the ceremony begins the dignitaries are introduced. At one point tribal authority is recognized and the chiefs step to the front to be recognized. All of them are wearing tennis shoes. TENNIS SHOES. Tribal chiefs in tennis shoes! It is a gesture that is not missed by the members of the American team as the tennis shoes are part of one of the incentive programs put in place by the Dzidalire Agency and the Malawi Project at the new site for the hospital and school. Tennis shoes were given to those who helped plant 17,000 trees over the two sites; the school and hospital locations. It was their way of recognizing, and expressing their appreciation for the assistance being given to their communities.

 

]]> http://www.malawiproject.org/chiefs-in-tennis-shoes/feed/ 0 Little Girls of Mkutu Village http://www.malawiproject.org/the-children-of-mkutu-village/ http://www.malawiproject.org/the-children-of-mkutu-village/#comments Sat, 24 Sep 2011 01:33:04 +0000 Richard Stephens http://www.malawiproject.org/?p=951 Girl Receives New Dress- Happy MomDedza District, Malawi … During the recent ground breaking ceremony for the new hospital near Mkutu Village the children entertained the visitors with a demonstration of what they are learning from their teacher in school. Mkutu Village is located in a remote part of Malawi approximately 40 miles south of the capital city of Lilongwe. It is the site of a new program to assist orphans and widows to get on their feet. The Dzidalire Community Development Agency has been formed by a group of Malawians headed by founder Mama Cecelia Kadzamira in order to assist the residents to create sustainable programs that will give them income. The Malawi Project is assisting with a hospital that is being built on the site.

At the end of their greeting of the visitors, members of the Malawi Project gave a new dress to 35 of the girls. The dresses came from Little Dresses for Africa, a non profit group in Michigan USA, who are preparing a shipment of 45,000 dresses to go to little girls in Malawi.

The village people in the area have already made thousands of bricks for the buildings, and cut a road over the mountain to bring access to both the Dzidalire programs, and the new international school planned for a site across from Dzidalire.

]]> http://www.malawiproject.org/the-children-of-mkutu-village/feed/ 0 A Three-Ton Amphibious Tank http://www.malawiproject.org/a-three-ton-amphibious-tank/ http://www.malawiproject.org/a-three-ton-amphibious-tank/#comments Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:29:04 +0000 Richard Stephens http://www.malawiproject.org/?p=798 A Hippo on the ShireOur small boat is chugging hard against the oncoming current as we glide north along the Shire River. We are on the same course as that of David Livingston, the great European explorer, in the 1800’s. Our trip is not an effort to open the continent to trade, but is being carried out to accommodate American aid workers who want to “get the feel of Africa.” Our guide is cautiously watching a pod of hippopotamus a short distance in front and off to the right of the boat. Even from this distance it is easy to see the male hippo staring at us, eyes only slightly visible above the water line. The rest of pod seems not to notice as they depend on the dominant male to insure their safely. He is quite a big one and as I watch him eye our boat I am fully aware of the description given to these “river horses” by one National Geographic reporter. (The name hippopotamus in ancient Greek means, “river horse”.)

“A three-ton amphibious tank” dominates Africa’s marshlands – wielding powerful jaws, fearsome foot-long canines, and a hide as tough as nails. Hippos are considered one of the most dangerous animals; by some accounts, they kill more people in Africa than any other beast. These unlikely athletes are capable of surprising speed and agility, with the ability to run nearly 30 miles an hour and corner on a dime. Their muscle-wrapped jaws are powerful enough to bite through small boats and their canines are sharp enough to rip open a lion but they are strictly plant eaters. Footage of hippos battling each other, and of two or three hippo separating themselves to repel lion claws, and outrunning the pack is simply amazing.”

A couple of them separate from the pod, lowering themselves below the surface, then disappear. I wonder if they are making the decision to go away or come toward us. The guide must be wondering the same thing because he quickly turns our boat into deeper water. A little way up the river we carefully approach another pod, then another and another. He notes this stretch of the Shire has a very high population of hippo. He need not bother. It is evident. Coming around a turn in the river we approach a large herd of elephant. The guide pays little attention, even to those giant creatures standing well out in neck deep water. He must sense our concern. “They will not come after us. We are safe with the elephant. It is the hippo we must watch. They kill more people in Africa than any other animal.” With this he looks past the elephants, and studies a spot near the horizon where another pod of hippo lounge near the shoreline and pose the next caution for our small boat. It’s all in a day’s work and life in Malawi, Africa.

]]> http://www.malawiproject.org/a-three-ton-amphibious-tank/feed/ 0 Exciting Adventure to the Past http://www.malawiproject.org/exciting-adventure-to-the-past/ http://www.malawiproject.org/exciting-adventure-to-the-past/#comments Sat, 10 Sep 2011 14:39:16 +0000 Richard Stephens http://www.malawiproject.org/?p=898 Ancient Cave DrawingsDedza, Malawi … We had heard about them for years. In fact, from childhood we had heard about the little people of Africa. In the early years we heard them described as the “pygmies”. Later they became “the little people,” and more recently the famous African author Wilbur Smith exposed the world to the name “San People.”

After coming to Malawi we were told of a site near Dedza where a large number of caves contain drawings, some of them thought to be about 3,500 years old. The site is called Chongoni Rock Art, and has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is believed to contain the richest concentration of Rock Art in the central Africa region; 127 rock-painting locations have been identified.

On a recent trip to the country members of the Malawi Project made a trip to the Dedza region to locate these caves, and see the paintings for themselves. You can read more on our Malawi Travel Blog.  Part 2 of the story can be found here.

]]> http://www.malawiproject.org/exciting-adventure-to-the-past/feed/ 0 Babies Born on Concrete Floors http://www.malawiproject.org/babies-born-on-concrete-floors/ http://www.malawiproject.org/babies-born-on-concrete-floors/#comments Sun, 14 Aug 2011 23:15:56 +0000 Richard Stephens http://www.malawiproject.org/?p=897 Lilongwe, Malawi … “It is impossible to imagine unless you have seen the conditions in hospitals in this, one of the poorest nations on earth. Yet, once you have been here, you can believe almost anything,” says Suzi Stephens RN, Director of Medical Services for the Malawi Project. “A recent newspaper report from the capital city of Lilongwe, reinforces this conclusion,” Stephens says after receiving the news report from the capital. “The story appeared in Zodiac Online and provides an example of the unthinkable.”

Floor Baby Deliveries in Mitundu
The article , “Floor Baby Deliveries In Mitundo“, written by Stonald Kuphunda and appearing in Zodiac Online in late July, recounts how pregnant women at Mitundu Community Hospital in Malawi’s capital city of Lilongwe are delivering babies on the floor because of the lack of mattresses in the maternity wing at the facility. The story reports the Clinical Officer for Mitundu Community Hospital Mr. George Mtambo has sent an SOS appeal for the donation of mattresses at the hospital.

Mitundu Community Hospital serves 112,000 people in its catchment area. It is also a referral hospital for eight health centres from Traditional Authorities Chadza, Masula, Chiseka and Masumbankhunda in Lilongwe; and Traditional Authorities Chilikumwendo and Kachere in Dedza districts, according to the story in Zodiak Online, and forwarded to the Malawi Project by Wilson Tembo, with the Malawi Project’s medical supply distribution site in southern Malawi.

The Problem Would Be Worse
As the story went to press, two other members of the Malawi Project Board of Directors were in Malawi assessing the needs in future shipments. Scott Gordon, the President of the Project, and Dick Stephens, co-founder, both agreed that if this is the problem in the largest city of the nation, the problems faced with the lack of supplies in the village areas are far worse. Scott, upon seeing the picture of a baby being born on the concrete floor, and reading the report commented, “This is tragic. While the world goes on about its business this poor nation is suffering in ways unimaginable in other parts of the world. It is why we are seeking funds to build a second hospital in Malawi, and to increase future shipments of medical supplies to the country.”  Stephens shook his head in sadness. “How can we get the rest of the world to take note and respond? It is at catastrophic levels, and since these kind and gentle people don’t throw rocks at us that get our attention, we just pass them by without a nod or second notice. The world has to see. It has to learn what is going on in this place. It has to respond to the need. It has to.”

To contribute towards mattresses, and other medical supplies you can contribute online from our homepage at: www.malawiproject.org or mail your check to:
The Malawi Project, Inc.
3314 Van Tassel Drive,
Indianapolis, IN 46240

]]> http://www.malawiproject.org/babies-born-on-concrete-floors/feed/ 0 Groundbreaking for Hospital http://www.malawiproject.org/groundbreaking-for-hospital/ http://www.malawiproject.org/groundbreaking-for-hospital/#comments Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:47:13 +0000 Richard Stephens http://www.malawiproject.org/?p=926 Groundbreaking
Dust devils dance along the ridge, down toward the valley floor, then disappear as though they never were. High Mountain peaks in front, behind, and in the distance form the backdrop for sweeping vistas that seem to extend forever. A strong breeze chases the dust away, and shakes the tarp that is attached to tree configuration that keeps the sun from finding our heads as we sit near the crest of the mountain. For a moment I wonder if the tarp is going to pull itself away from its perch above our heads and chase the dust devils down the hill.

It is Monday and we have finally been able to move forward with the ground breaking for the new hospital. I look around at the crowd gathered for the event. It reads like a who’s who of village life in this area. Starting with the chief over much of the northern part of the Dedza District, we can count down to the chief over 22 villages, then one over 10, then on down to the village headmen and assistant headmen. Many of them are women, which still amazes a lot of people back home. The way the Chewa Tribe has always chosen its leaders there is always within its leadership ranks large number of women. In fact, it is part of the culture and tribal law that it is the old women of the village who choose each new chief. Thus, the real control of the Chewa Nation can be seen as residing in the hands of women.

Chiefs Hard to Identify
It is interesting when you are in a large crowd like this to try to pick out the chiefs. Sometimes you can recognize one or two, or at a large event, a few of them, but for the most part to recognize a chief separate from his people is nearly impossible. This must be one of the last governmental systems left on earth where the top guys in the system still live next door to the lowest on the economic rungs, and where the chief looks, acts and dresses just like everyone else in the village from which he comes. That was apparently the plan of our forefathers for the system in America, “of the people, by the people, and for the people”, but in so many cases this does not continue after the election. Here, in Malawi it seems to still be in full force.

The MC opens the event with introductions and greetings, and begins by recognizing the joint effort of the Malawi Project and the Dzidalire Community Development Agency in the plans being unveiled at this event. Hanging between a makeshift stick easel is stretched the plans for the hospital and he goes into a great amount of detail explaining what this facility will be like, and the services it will provide. I looked around at the village women sitting on the ground looking up at the plans. All I could think was how many of them had delivered babies at home rather than try to make the treacherous trip down a mountain road, then along a dangerous tarmac road, for the 20-mile trip to the nearest district hospital. And to imagine they would have made the trip on the back of a bicycle, or lying on the hard wooden bed of an old ox cart. Then to get there, and find the hospital out of the necessary supplies to help, and then to be turned away, is just too much to comprehend. Imagine? I really can’t, I have never lived that life.

Speeches are Short and Sweet
Speeches begin, but are short and end quickly. Something new for politicians. No one speaks for more than 4 or 5 minutes. Scott does a really great job in his speech as he addresses the crowd from his heart about his love for the people, and the land on which the hospital, maize mill, vocational training center, and international school will be sitting. He later tells me how much he loves walking this land and dreaming of what it is going to be like when all of the 40 or 50 buildings are complete and students are here from all over the sub-Sahara gaining an education that will change their lives, and the lives of those they touch. He’s a great guy, and I really like traveling with him. His faith in God, and in the people in Malawi is something to see. It’s really impressive.

Then the time comes for the ceremonial shovel full of dirt to symbolize the beginning of construction of the facility. It has been a long time coming. In fact during the time our side has been trying to obtain the funds to build the facility, and we are still only at the beginning, the village people have used hand hoes to cut a road over the mountain, make by hand over 17,000 bricks for use in the construction, and plant thousands of trees in a Shoes for Trees program offered by the Malawi Project. This is where the Project offers new shoes to the village people who plant and care for thousands of seedlings for a year, and the government supplies the seedlings. For a group of people who are in deep poverty they are certainly rich in their commitment of support for this project. One by one, each of the government officials come forward to shovel dirt, then the chiefs and village headmen and women come forward. Some throw the dirt quickly, others with a loving pitch that seems to indicate their love for what it symbolizes, or perhaps simply true to their gentle nature.

Mama Arrives at the Event
Then, up from the valley road, a lone gold colored Land Rover lurches its way toward the crowd on the ridge. It weaves its way around rocks and gullies as it strains to stay on the makeshift road the villagers have made straight up the mountain. As the car approaches the clearing the village women are instantly on their feet, walking toward the Land Rover, and singing songs of greeting to Mama Cecelia Kadzamira, the founder of Dzidalire, and Mama to the Nation.

Mama sits with the door open for a time, and listens to the women sing. It is obvious their love for her, and the feeling is certainly reflected back to them as she smiles and listens attentively to their songs. At the conclusion she comes over to the makeshift tarp tent, and sits down near the end of the first row of plastic seats. A few more words from the MC, a number of pictures by the photographers, and it is a moment many have waited for so long to see. Mama goes to the front and shovels the ceremonial spade of dirt that really, really symbolizes the beginning of the medical facility.

Little Girl Dresses
Village women sing songs, a couple of skits follow, and the ceremony on top of the mountain draws to a close. We leave the mountaintop and go to Nkutu Village, where a large number of little girls have gathered. They give their A, B. C’s in English, count the months of the year, and follow their teachers lead in presenting a number of words and phrases they have learned in English, included a cute little song about how they are young and little, but they can count. After the little girl presentation we present about 50 of them with little dresses made by women in three different parts of America. Most of them have never seen white faces in their village before, but frowns of fear turn to smiles of joy as they hug, caress, and hold close the new dresses that have come from America.

Capped off with Soccer
A soccer game follows for everyone to enjoy, and then we turn the car toward the capital in a vain attempt to reach the lodge before dark. It has been probably the best day of the trip, and except for having a struggle trying to find the home of the newspaper reporter we carry back from the event, everything turns out about perfect. His problem is in the fact he has just moved to Lilongwe from Blantyre three weeks ago, and he doesn’t know the way home in the dark. Shades of the Area 25 experience. Finally we make it, he discovers his way to the house, and we are on the way to the lodge.

Dinner with Friends
Then the phone rings. It is a number of church leaders and friends from America. Join them for dinner, a long way from where we are currently located. “Sure, we’d be glad to”. We are glad, but this has sure been a long day. After dinner we head for the lodge, finally able to end the day.

Assisting Mama
Then the phone rings. It is the Founder of Dzidalire, Mama Kadzamira. She needs some help on a project so it is back into the city, and to her home to assist her. It is delightful to be of assistance, and is like putting icing on a cake. What else could we want from our last day in Malawi?

]]> http://www.malawiproject.org/groundbreaking-for-hospital/feed/ 0 Day Fourteen http://www.malawiproject.org/day-fourteen/ http://www.malawiproject.org/day-fourteen/#comments Sat, 06 Aug 2011 12:21:37 +0000 Richard Stephens http://www.malawiproject.org/?p=949 Scott and I are winging our way back across the Atlantic as I reflect on the two weeks we have just spent in Malawi. It is the shortest time I have been there since 1995, and it seems like I just arrived and it was time to go to the airport for the flight back to the U.S. Because of the fuel shortage, and the demonstrations that turned bad, we had to cut of the plan to go to the northern part of the country. That is sad, as there were a number of people and programs we wanted to contact on this trip. It seems there just is never enough time to cover the entire country and do all of the things that need attention. Besides, I guess if we were to spend six months in country there would be just that many more places to visit and assist. Not enough time. Not enough funds. Guess it will just have to wait until the next trip, either late in the year, or early next year. Now it is time to focus on getting back to the states and beginning the trek around the country reporting on the state of the various programs the Malawi Project is currently assisting. For the first time in a long, long time I am comfortable in a middle seat on the airplane. We are still several hours out of Rome, where we will refuel for the across the Atlantic part of the trip, but with the much higher ceiling there is not the trapped feeling you get (for good reason, you are trapped!), in the older Boeing 747’s or the European Airbus.

By and large, even when you factor in the downtime for the fuel problems the entire trip, the lost luggage at the beginning of the trip, and the demonstrations that turned violent in the middle of the trip, we still had a very productive trip.

Namikango
Going to Namikango, even for just a short time, is always a delight. It will not be the same with the Thiesen family returning to the states in just a few days, but the Malawi staff is well trained, conscious and more than able to carry forward. Mark has spent the past year moving responsibility over to the staff, and from what I have seen they are and will continue to move successfully forward without missing a beat. A real compliment to them and to Mark and Era and the work there during the past 7 years.

Wilson, Basani, Roderick, Sampson, all of them, they are just doing a great job. The warehouse looks excellent, and the distribution network for medical supplies and wheelchairs continues to enlarge. It all looks good.

Cool Runnings
With another V-Tractor about to arrive Sam is really going to have her hands full. Don’t know how she does it. Two tractors, working closely with the Paratroop Battalion to complete the library, distributing wheelchairs, the successful work at the Safe Haven, the Cinderella Program, the widespread help through Clinic at the Gate, the community policing assistance, and all of the other things she is doing to help. Just one person, making such a difference.

Dzidalire
I’m really excited about the new hospital, and then there is the international school. It’s going to be our biggest project to date, and the people in the villages are already outrunning us with the work they are doing. Thousands of bricks already made, the road over the mountain, and 17,000 trees planted all over the mountain, they are just going all out to make this a reality.

Medicine and Medical Supplies
There is just so much more that is going on. The millions of dollars in medicines and medical supplies, and everything that brings to mind all over the country. It just makes my head swim to thing of it all. Wish we could have looked in on the other programs with which we have involvement. There are just too many. God is so good, and He has sure opened the door for us to help the people of Malawi. Wonder what will be next?

For me, I think I’m going to try to get some sleep before we reach Rome. Maybe this time I can sleep on this plane. The height of the luggage racks above our heads and down the center isle sure gives you the feeling of having a lot more space. This is the first time I have been in the center seat and felt even remotely comfortable. Guess we better make sure we are on 777’s from now on.

]]> http://www.malawiproject.org/day-fourteen/feed/ 0 Day Twelve http://www.malawiproject.org/day-twelve/ http://www.malawiproject.org/day-twelve/#comments Thu, 04 Aug 2011 12:28:53 +0000 Richard Stephens http://www.malawiproject.org/?p=925 First to Lumbadzi
Its Sunday, and our plan calls for Scott to go to meetings about the new international school planned for the Dedza District, and I will go back to work on a manuscript with the friend in the capital. We decide we will first go to church services at the Lumbadzi church since neither of us have been there in the past 3 or 4 years. It is sort of like “old home week” as we have the opportunity to see and talk with a number of people we haven’t seen in some time. It is necessary to leave quickly after services, as Scott needs to get to the meeting in town by 2 PM.

Then to Area 25
Coming into town we attempt to locate where Scott’s meeting is going to take place. Getting directions is often impossible as so many people ride buses instead of driving. This robs them of the ability to learn intersections, streets, and locations. One person just a week earlier had laughed at the way his fellow countrymen often give directions out in the bush country. “You turn at the third termite mound,” he laughingly said. “Or you go to the big tree on the left,” he added. I wasn’t sure I wanted to laugh, or cry, since I had experienced being given these kinds of directions, and gotten myself lost more than once by not counting the termite mounds correctly! What is wrong with someone who has trouble counting to three? Three termite mounds should be easy to see and count, don’t you think? Guess I’m just not accustomed to looking for termite mounds. When you think of it, it isn’t so strange. When I was growing up we used to tell people to turn at the gravel road that ran along the south side of the big red barn. Anyway we decide we will go back to the lodge and find the road map. That will solve the problem. Right? Wrong! There are only one or two versions of the Malawi road map, and I carry the one with the largest circulation. That would make me conclude I have the best one. However, when we look for the location by the “areas” of the city we discover this map does not show the area designations. One would think they would be in some sort of order, like Area 3 is next to Area 4, and Area 10 is just near Area 11. Well, that is not the case. They were numbered as the city grew, so Area 5 may be on one side the city, with Area 11 next to it. Area 6 may be way across town on the other side. Only if you have been there from the beginning, and known the way the city expanded, can you get any sense of the numbers of the different area locations. And to think, we have a note with the exact area where his meeting will be held. Well, if that is confusing to you, it was also confusing to several of the workers at the lodge where we are staying. Only one of them could help us. He knew the area we were looking for, but he was a little unsure of “which bridge” might be the one written on Scott’s notes. If it all sounds a little like “turn at the third termite mound” you have it right, except in this case we are going to the “bridge” along such and such a road in Area 25, and this guy thinks there is more than one bridge. Sounds easy doesn’t it? We head out for the destination, but about halfway, or at least the “halfway” we think it might lead us to the right bridge in Area 25, we get a phone call indicating the meeting has been moved to another part of town, and that other part is exactly behind us and a long way away. We backtrack, and start the plan again. I have some thoughts about all of this, but by and large I am able to smile and just simply conclude, “That’s Malawi.” It often takes me two weeks or more to drop into the cultural differences between Malawi and the U.S. when I arrive, and I must make note of the fact we have not yet reached that “two week” threshold on this trip. Well anyway, the new route takes us back to a point on the other side of where we started. Along the way we stop for a quick lunch, a very quick lunch, and Scott drops me for my meeting, and he heads on to his meeting. I watch him disappear and wonder with a bit of pain, if I will ever see him again. It just should not be this hard, do you think? In a city of about 700,000 people, it is becoming more and more of a problem finding our way around. But I guess if a Malawians comes to our city it is pretty depressing as well. Oak, Maple, Ash should more like trees than streets. 2nd Avenue can sure get tangled up in 2nd Street, if you are not careful. And Washington, Lincoln Avenue, Jefferson sound like a 3rd grade history lesson the American Presidents. How in the world can you match these names to locations? Then imagine going down the street and all at once you cross an intersection and the name changes. What is this all about? Guess Area 25 across from Area 3 isn’t too much different is it?

The rest of the day goes easy, compared with the map, location, streets, Area, part of the day. Late in the evening Scott picks me up, and we compare notes on the afternoon. Both of us feel we had a good day.

]]> http://www.malawiproject.org/day-twelve/feed/ 0 Day Ten http://www.malawiproject.org/day-ten/ http://www.malawiproject.org/day-ten/#comments Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:35:27 +0000 Richard Stephens http://www.malawiproject.org/?p=922 Getting Back on Schedule
The morning of day 10 we hear things are getting back to normal, and everything seems quiet in the capital. We decide it is time to get on the road. Our first stop will be well north of the city in order to meet with one of the preachers we have worked with for years. Perhaps we can also stop on the way up or the way back, and have lunch with a long time church friend in Lumbadzi. We need some advise from these two men, and want to have their thinking before meetings scheduled for the weekend. It does not take long for the observer from the west to learn there are hundreds, if not thousands, of years of different thinking between Africa and us. To charge forward into something without getting their input and advise is mistake number one. The second is to move rapidly into a program without their involvement. It seems to me these could be the double blows that kill a lot of good intentions in Africa. We are really determined not to let this happen.

Back to Remaining Inside
Malawi - Daily Times - 18 Killed in RiotsLate in the morning we receive news that someone broke into three stores in the Lumbadzi Trading Center the previous day. There was apparently considerable damage, a lot of broken glass, looting, and so on. That is alarming as we knew yesterday would hold demonstrations in the capital city, as well as Mzuzu in the north, and Blantyre in the south, but we didn’t expect problems in the countryside. We take stock of the situation, and decide it will be better if we stay inside one more day. If things remain quiet all day today we can get back on an abbreviated schedule early tomorrow.

The rest of the day is filled with sending and receiving emails, preparing stories for the various Malawi Project web sites, and drinking tea. I love Malawi’s tea, and when I leave the states I shift from coffee to tea all during my time in Africa.

Around 3 PM one of our friends from previous years stops past Ufulu Gardens to visit us. (He found out where we were staying here from some of the guys in Thondwe where we were last week). We prepared a book about the Lujeri Tea Estate for him, since he made a trip there with us in 2007. It is such a beautiful place and the scenes in the book are magnificent. We give him the gift and sit around sharing tea. After he leaves around 4 we focus on trying to get news about the situation around the country. A church friend in the north reports his sister’s daughter was shot, and is in critical condition in the hospital. Another church member, a taxi driver in Mzuzu was shot and killed by stray gunfire. Our friend reported that as many as eight people were killed in Mzuzu alone. This is stunning, as we have never seen anything like this in nearly 20 years in Malawi. There have been problems, all nations have problems, but this one certainly has gotten out of hand.

We remained inside the rest of the day and evening. Late in the day we locate a newspaper. It confirms the validity of staying inside. The situation is very, very serious.

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