The work is now complete at Mbidi School in Malawi and they now have a full primary school from Standard 1 to Standard 8. The  turnover ceremony on Thursday was full of energy and enthusiasm from all the teachers, students, dignitaries and fellow Rotarians.

 

 

 The teachers at Mbidi gathered a number of the children who presented as a choir and sang songs of gratitude for all the work that had been done at the school. Some of the older boys got together and performed a traditional Africa dance for our viewing pleasure. Cecilia, a teacher at Mbidi sang a solo, in English to us to thank Rotarians for their support and work at the school. In her solo she also express sadness to the group as we were leaving but she would cherish the memories that we made and remember us always.

A neighbouring school was also invited to the celebrations and after the ceremony the Standard 7 and 8 girls played net ball and the Standard 7 and 8 boys played football (soccer). All the children bust out into dance and cheer when Mbidi girls won their net ball game and rushed over the football fields to support their fellow male classmates in their match.

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Maureen Bird

Thursday was the handover of the school. Two ladies from Kachere came to the event as we sold the menstrual kits to the senior girls for a nominal price. We were able to deliver 40 and there may be more needed.

Friday 6 of the group left, some having a couple of days in Addis Ababa before returning home.

Joyce Westlake was in that group so I made the last trip out to Kachere after buying things for lunch like chickens and greens. The main grocery store had chickens but couldn’t sell them as Their scales weren’t working. Welcome to Malawi. So off to the halal butcher and a quick trip through the market for veggies. Edgar (EI) had forgotten salt for the group and sent me to the same store where we had picked up the bulk sugar. But that store doesn’t sell salt so back across the road I go to the salt store. It makes me wonder how anything ever gets done. Our driver from Dignitas has been marvellously patient with us.

I spent a lot of time with the ladies about business plans, manufacturing and marketing and suggesting other products they could make for the tourist market. We are still struggling with the treadle machines but Ben Voss from Africycle and EI will look at the bearing part that seems to be wearing out on all of them. After lunch it was a teary goodbye. I hope to see them again.

Wednesday we had visited one of my favourite ladies, Florence, who has been ill and it was a real emotional meeting as it is probably the last time we see her.

Saturday we went out to Lake Chilwe, a lake with no outlet. We were poled across (9 in the boat) and happy to have Mike bailing the whole time. The hike was more than anticipated so those of us who turned back early were very glad we did. This is a rice growing area and it was interesting to see the rice being dried on plastic sheets stretched out even onto the road. Free milling by the cars!

We are going in to Blantyre on Sunday to stay overnight before our return starting on Monday. It has been another very interesting and rewarding trip. We have made many contacts with others trying to make a difference while respecting and admiring another culture.

Zikomo

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The team is working very hard at completing the work at the Mbidi School. Brian Edwards Captain of the Carpentry Team and Crew have only one more shelf to build in a storage room. An ongoing project has been repairing desks from other classrooms as well. We are just hoping the Brian’s shoe holds out for the rest of the trip!

Brian Westlake, Captain of the Painting Team and Crew have completed all the painting of the classrooms and windows. Things have been going smoothly and we have had time to play some football (soccer) with the children.

Also the “skylights” have arrived today and Andrew has been busy on the roof installing them to brighten up the classrooms as there is no electricity the skylights make a huge difference!

Tomorrow it will be all hands on deck to prepare for the turnover to the Head Master!

 

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