Mid week post

 Mwazduka Bwanji (Good morning)

from sunny Malawi! 

We have now been at the MCM school for three days. What an experience it has been! I am working with Uncle Eric (the teacher), in the 6th grade. I have gotten to know (almost) everyone’s names, and they seem to be tickled pink to have me in the classroom. Uncle Eric and I have found a wonderful partnership where I observe his teaching, support him in the grading, and sometimes co-teach his lessons. I have identified a couple of students in the classroom who need additional emotional support, and have since spoken to the Director of Social Services about them. 

Yesterday, we had two meetings with guardians from the local villages. These guardians have children in their family who attend MCM. We had Aunty Phoebe and Aunty Eneless (Director of Social Services and Mental Health respectively) to assist in translating our conversation. We had the opportunity to ask questions to the guardians, as well as answer any questions that they might have about our group, or about America. This was a powerful experience on many levels. The stories, ideas, experiences shared by the villagers, and particularly the warmth and openness they presented to us “outsiders” was heartwarming. At the end of the both meetings, we took group photos and the villagers insisted that we stand arm in arm together, mixed together and not separated. I am rarely moved to tears, but in that moment I was.

On Tuesday, myself and two colleagues had the opportunity to assist Aunty Nora who is the on site MCM nurse. Aunty Nora holds a monthly hypertension clinic. She travels out to villages to those people who cannot walk to MCM, and also holds the clinic on site at MCM. We spent the day taking blood pressure, weight, temperature,  pulse/oxygen rates, as well as dispersing medications. Many of the people had very high blood pressure. One woman, an agogo (a term for an elderly grandmother or great grandmother, was 95 years old, with very high blood pressure, but refuses to stop farming despite the nurse’s warnings. 

Tomorrow we have a shorter day at MCM because the children spend the second half of every Friday doing bible studies. Faith is at the center of everything here in Malawi. I have had to let go of my own internal beliefs (or non beliefs) in order to embrace that faith and religion is integral to the Malawian culture. It also acts as an access point for many services such as health, education, social services. 

Okay, we are pulling up to MCM as I write this. So bye for now!

 Tidzaonana (see you),

Sarai