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Published: December 8th 2012
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Final photo
Will miss the guys and the gals at The Good Health Youth Organisation. My new 'eagle' team! So yesterday was my last day and I was woken with a call at around 6.30am to tell me that the taxi driver had managed to find fuel and did I want to go to the airport via taxi. In an instant I said yes! It was the right decision - when I stepped out of the hotel there was a huge queue of traffic. Word had got out there was petrol in the pumps! People were literally pushing their cars along in the queue!
My last day at work - no electricity all morning again - surrrrrprise! I spent the first hour doing a week-end (rather than month end) with Blessings and thankfully we got a cash reconcilation to balance for the first time! WUP WUP WUP!!!! Attention to detail has paid 'Kwatchaaaaaaaaaaa' (their currency) 8-)
Charles arrived later and I listened to Blessings explain what we'd spent the morning doing and it was perfectly explained so I'm leaving happy that they are confident with the procedures we've put into place.
Blessings also explained how he is to transfer the system to their new donor funding which they're about to receive so I'll keep my fingers crossed
My gift
They bought me a Malawian braclet, a Sarong and a bag. Charles gave me a 'special gift from Charles' A Rhino pen. The team have the other photos - I'm waiting for them. that it all goes extremely well for them.
In the afternoon the team suprised me with some Malawian gifts and we took some final photos. It's amazing how in such a short space of time you can build such strong relationships with people. I think we all felt a little emotional but we were all doing our best to hide it! Well I was!
I'll miss lots of things from Kasungu: The people have to come first followed by living in the moment! Apart from the first week (when I was suffering heat exhaustion) I've not felt stressed here and things don't play on my mind like they do back in the UK. I find it very hard to relax at home, but I've found it very easy here.
What am I looking forward to at home? Seeing my family including my doggy, a roast dinner, catching up with my friends and colleagues, constant electricity, water, internet access, a virus free computer and an ink cartridge in my printer! It's amazing the things we take for granted in the UK.
I'm sort of looking forward to the british weather! But no doubt I will soon be
Lake Malawi
Didn't get to see the lake on the land - but did from the sky, it's huge! complaining about that too 8-)
Right now I'm sitting in Niarobi airport. I paid £20 to use their first class lounge and I have as much internet access as I want, snacks and drink! Comfy seats too! I have a 9 hour wait for my flight.
I met a lady in the airport who worked in Lilongwe, Malawi as a volunteer for 6 months. I asked her if she would do it again and she was silenced! She said she found the heat unbearable (not just me then). After a shower she would sit in front of the fan for 15 minutes to prepare herself for the journey to work! Most of all she found the ways of working very challenging. I admire anybody who can do long haul volunteering! I don't think I could do that myself.
Would I do it again? I would, I've thoroughly enjoyed the experience. However, my first week was an indication of how tough a placement could get so if I do it again I'd have to choose carefully! It would be perfect if I could travel with a companion though. I do miss having familiar company, especially my lovely family.
So I'm aiming to leave you with a few final photos and the sound of Kasungu! The video is a bit rushed as some people in the street may comment when you're videoing or taking photos! But feel the atmosphere there 8-)
Thanks for reading. I've thoroughly enjoyed writing my blogs. 8-)
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