Blogs from Blantyre, Southern, Malawi, Africa - page 5

Dear Friends, it took a while but now there are a few photos online thanks to Hanne. Sorry I cannot share with you any photos from the hospital/patients because everyone will have access to this site. More later.... read more

Hello all! I hope things are good in the states? Here time is moving, but probably not the same speed as it is back home. We swore in and became official Peace Corps Volunteers Wednesday, July 23rd. The next day nearly my entire group departed Lilongwe for their respective sites. I, unfortunately, had an interview with a representative of the Board of Nursing and Midwifery Counsel or whatever they call it here… I was very nervous, but I think it went okay. She did, however, assign me to a 4 week orientation in Blantyre, but the other nurses have similar orientations as well. Those who remained left the next day. I left with the 2 other nurses Friday the 25th for Blantyre, and because of our locations it took us an additional travel day to get ... read more

The second day at the orphanage was definitely better than than the first - I think there was just far too much to take in that I could barely think! Anyway highlights of today included teaching a 3 yr old how to play football...they are SERIOUSLY football mad out here, partic. the english clubs like liverpool, man u & arsenal..hehe, it would be really funny if little cute boy (I've nicknamed him Beckam because he was actually v good at kicking!) remembers that a funny looking white girl taught him how to play football!! Its strange because at first, driving through the villages unnerved me a bit as people stared quite a lot, but when asking the others they said that basically in some villages they had NEVER seen a white person in the flesh, ... read more

With only five days left at the orphanage before I leave, and back to full strength, I'm keen to do as much as I can and tie up all the things I've started. Before going into the orphanage after the new year break, I need to get my 30 day permit extended at the Immigration office for my last week in the country. Like most of the office set ups I've seen - the administration system is slow and disorderly. Looking through the bars to the desks behind there are papers and files everywhere. Something I have seen in every office and large shop is piles of paper and ink stamping. Even as you leave the big superstore 'Game' you must have your receipt stamped by an attendant. As the geep bumps along through the village ... read more

As I'm getting used to solids again and tucking into my breakfast toast, I am delighted to see a lovely couple I met on my first night at the hostel. They are from the UK but work here for an NGO making education more accessible in the Mulanje district. The couple arrive wanting to see if they can book a room for the night to go out in Blantyre to celebrate new year's eve. They kindly ask if I want to join them, and as I have no plans, I quickly accept! Later that evening we meet up and head off to eat at one of the big hotels. They are well read and knowledgeable about Malawi so I enjoy finding out more, and their opinions on things. Impressively they can speak Chichewa too. Over dinner ... read more