Blogs from Liwonde NP, Southern, Malawi, Africa

May 1st is Labor Day in Malawi, this is to show appreciation to the workforce of Malawi, this year the theme was ‘giving opportunity for reliable work’, because 1st fell on a Saturday this year the public holiday was moved to the Monday. I’m only really telling you this to give a background for why I had a day off work, I had nothing to do with any events going on and I only know the theme because I saw it on a poster out the bus window. I decided to take the opportunity of the 3 day weekend to go away, unfortunately we had schools program training on the Saturday, which was annoying but it’s what I’m here to do so I really shouldn’t complain. Anyway I stayed around to do the training and then ... read more

George left early Saturday morning for the wedding of President Mutharika’s daughter, and had entrusted my care to Lindy, a very sweet and most godly young lady who coordinates the activities of Westerners coming to volunteer in the orphanages. She was actually born in California, as her father attended seminary in Pasadena, but returned to Malawi after receiving a degree from a Bible college in the States. She went to Mozambique as a missionary at the conclusion of their civil war, between, of course, Marxists and the remnants of a Portuguese government backed by Rhodesia. The war had left their people very bitter and heartbroken, but I sat entranced and listened as she told me how the Word of God, the Good News from the Prince of Peace, transformed them as they left their suffering behind. ... read more

Day 57 Managed to leave Deans at about 7 and reached the border post of Mchinjii at about 8. As it was early we were the only people trying to cross over so we got through very fast and with no hassle, but I could see that the whole place was incredibly disorganised and had there been even just 10 more people there would have been complete chaos. So we were in Malawi, and amazingly the sun was shining! Malawi is beautiful but very cultivated - everywhere you look there is a field growing potatoes, or maize, or sugar cane or some other vegetable which so far I have been unable to identify…there are also so many people, everywhere! Little shambas and random villages every time you turn a corner in the road…I think that Malawi ... read more

…when a mazungu comes to visit. Without question, the most incredible experience of my trip to Malawi was the day and night I spent in the village of Njobvu. This is a “real live” African village which Central African Wilderness Safaris has helped establish a small tourist programme. A couple of huts have been built, in the local style, as accommodation for tourists, with associated “facilities”. A guide, Enoch, shows day and overnight visitors around the village, introducing them to the traditional healer and various villagers who demonstrate their crafts and skills, showing them round a typical home, and arranging for children and young people to sing, dance and chat to them. At present, however, they are only getting a couple of tourists a month, and I couldn’t over-recommend a trip if you are visiting ... read more