Closed for Christmas

Schools closed on 18 December for Christmas. On the last day of term at the Primary schools the learners received their school reports to take home then it started to rain for a little time.  The rain is a blessing so it was good start to mark the holiday. However, we need more rain for the crops.

Learners receiving reports

Lunyangwa Girls are pleased with their reports.

2 learners from St. Peter's are prepared for the rain.

School is closed for the holiday.

Maize arrives at Mary's Meal's Feeding Station

St. Peter's Secondary had a lovely end of term assembly early in the morning in the sunshine.

Happy Birthday

"Chaka Chiweme Martin."  Happy birthday to baby Martin who was one year old recently.  We celebrated his birthday in our house with his mum, gran, auntie and his cousin.  He loved the raspberry jelly we had made.

New Arrival

A new baby girl was born at Mzuzu Central Hospital.  The mother was not allowed to take the baby home until she had a blanket and a hat for the baby.  Fortunately we were able to provide her with one of the beautifully knitted blankets from St. Matthew's knitting group and a lovely hat and jumper knitted by one of our Scottish ladies.  Now mum and the baby girl are resting at relative's house in Mzuzu before setting off on their journey back to the village of Kafukule which was hit by a storm recently.

Thank You Caledonia Primary

Everyone at Katawa Primary was delighted to hear the news from their partner school, Caledonia primary in Saltcoats.  They admired the beautiful, specially made Christmas card which conveyed good wishes to all; this will be circulated around the school and then displayed for all visitors to view.  Specials thanks are extended to Caledonia for the Scottish gifts.

Staff and learners say "thank you Caledonia."

Mr Kondowe HT (left) and staff

Mr Munthali, responsible for Scottish link with Mr Mvula.

Mr Mvula DHT &Mr Knondowe HT admire the Christmas Card

The school roll at Katawa Primary is now 580.  Interestingly there are now slightly more girls than boys attending.  Mr Mvula, DHT, said this was a sign that families are now recognising girls should be given the same opportunities as boys for a good education.  Recently, maize crops have been planted and now sweet potatoes will be planted in the newly created staff garden.  Hopefully the rains will arrive soon and the garden will thrive.  Today it was hot again, even at 9.00a.m. when we visited the school.  At break time some of the learners bought ice poles from the sellers costing 10 mkw and 20 mkw (malawian kwacha) to cool down.

Staff garden strip planted to the left of the playground.

Greetings from St. Mark's

At Lunyangwa Primary, the learners were absolutely delighted to receive the letters from their friends at their partner school St. Mark's Primary in Irvine. They particularly enjoyed seeing the photo of their pen friend which accompanied the letter. Everyone was also pleased with the various items of stationery, especially the coloured pens and pencils which will make their drawings interesting.

The head teacher (left) and depute distributed the letters.

Schools News

St. Peter's original toilet block

St. Peter's new toilet blocks

St. Peter’s Primary are delighted their new toilet blocks are nearing completion. The learners are absolutely delighted to have this new facility.  The Red Cross are responsible for this wonderful project although schools are asked to contribute 25% of the cost of the project.  To create space for the toilets blocks to be built at the school trees had to be cut down.  Fortunately, St. Peter’s were able to sell this wood to cover the cost of their contribution to the project. Sadly, Lunyangwa Girls Primary is not in the same position.  Although identified for a similar project, the school has been unable to meet the full cost of the required contribution, despite their fundraising efforts.  At the moment the work at Lunyangwa has been put on hold. 

Lunyangwa Girls' Primary current toilets

Lunyangwa Girls' Primary new toilet foundations

A Grand Day Out

Mr Thomas Mvula, Deputy at Katawa Primary and our friend for several years invited us to go to see his home area and family, near the Zambian border. It was an early start at 6.30a.m.  Part of our journey was on tarmac road and part on rough track. The final part of the track was very rutted, dry and dusty; we were truly going right into rural Malawi.  In the clearing we arrived at a couple of brick houses with children playing outside. This was the home of Thomas’ elder sister.  We were warmly greeted by Thomas’ nephew who invited us to enter his home.  Slowly and quietly the children crept to the door to peek in at us.  However, they were all welcomed in.

We were introduced to the family members.  Thomas’ nephew spoke fluent English but he was delighted to hear our attempts at Chitumbuka. He spoke clearly and slowly for us so I am certain we would learn the language quickly if we stayed in the village.  Our visit was a very special occasion because this was the first time a white person had entered the house and indeed the village.  For the children it was their first time to see and indeed meet a white person so it was understandable that they just wanted to sit and gaze at us. We both felt very honoured and humble to be given such a lovely welcome.

Thomas Mvula with his sister and family

Inside the house was amazingly cool, despite the scorching sun outside. The brick walls were very high while the cemented floor was smooth and cool.  The window space had been bricked up although there were rays of daylight peeking through and air circulating. Compared to Scottish houses, there is a lack of furniture; only one table and a few chairs.  In the corner stood 2 clay water pots. Some of the children brought in a little portable wooden stool to sit on.

Exchange of gifts

 When it was time for food, the ladies went outside to prepare while the men and guest (us) sat at the table.  We were served nsima, beans, greens and meat/ chicken. Fortunately, we were given forks to eat rather than being expected to use our hands. It was a lovely meal. Afterwards we exchanged gifts and took many photos. Thomas’ nephew told us he worked at the local stone quarry.  Blue stone and white stone are purchased by many people coming from other areas and countries. When speaking with one of the boys, he told us there was a football pitch locally but now they did not have a football so when we visit again we will try to take one.

Afterwards we travelled a very short distance to meet Tomas' elder brother and the rest of the family in their village. Once again we created great excitement and we were warmly greeted. We were amazed to be told someone had walked 3 hours in the blistering heat, just to meet us. 

Thomas with his elder brother and wife

Everyone at the village

Hello Again.

After a very short break back in Scotland we are now back in Malawi.  We had a very good return journey.  Our route was Glasgow to Amsterdam then onto Nairobi and finally Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi.  The most tiring part of our journey was the 7 hour travel by road in the heat; we could barely keep our eyes open.

Tom & his mum say farewell at Glasgow

Fr. Phillip & Fr. Amos say welcome at Lilongwe

Happy Bread Makers

Some of the ladies were on a one day bread making course organised by TEVETA. The were supplied with various baking tins to allow them to continue making bread and raise some funds for the Womens' Development Centre and the Catholic Womens' Organisation in the Parish. We were very impressed.

Heating up the clay oven

The first day the ladies made the clay oven and collected the necessary firewood.  The next day they set about heating up the oven by burning the firewood and branches in the oven for a few hours to get the clay bricks hot. Once heated the hot ash was removed.

Kneading the dough

Tins ready for the oven

Placing the tins in the oven

The ladies prepared the dough, put it inside plastic bags and left it out in the sun. It was kneaded and prooved.  Next the dough was carefully put in the baking tins and placed carefully inside the oven which was then sealed off by placing iron sheeting on top.  The burning hot ash was then placed on top of the iron sheeting to keep the oven hot.  The bread was baked in the oven for around 20 mins.

Spreading the hot ash onto the iron sheeting

We were amazed when the oven lid as removed to reveal beautifully baked loaves; they smelled delicious and tasted good.

Delicious loaves ready for sale

Weddings

We have been invited to several weddings here in Mzuzu.  It is strange for us to attend the wedding service at 8.00a.m. The sun is shining at this time and it is much cooler for us which is good.  We have been to weddings at St. Peter's Cathedral, one of the outstations and at the CCAP.  We find it very interesting and entertaining to watch the bridesmaids and best men dance down the aisle, leading the bride and groom who dance behind.  It is clear to us the rehearsals that take place focus very much on the dance routines; you cannot help but feel a sense of joy.

Bridesmaids in red and yellow dancing with best men to lead the bride and groom to the altar.

After the wedding service in the Church everyone goes home and then attends the reception later in the day, usually about 1.00p.m. At the reception the newly married couple are led into the hall by the "sample couple" they have chosen to emulate...dancing along the red carpet.  The bridesmaids and best men dance their routines.   The hall is decorated with the chosen colours of the bridal party.  Throughout the afternoon there are many dances where groups of people are invited to come and dance.  When you dance you throw money at the couple to provide them with a good start to their married life or to help pay for their wedding. The newly married couple dance throughout.  Later the pieces of the wedding cake are auctioned off.  Guests are given a gift of thanks for their support; a bottle of coke or Fanta and a bun.

Paul and Dorothy entering their reception in St. Peter's Hall

Gifts for the Bride & Groom

Baby Martin

Baby Martin is growing well.  At his recent visit to the hospital clinic, he weighed 9.5kg. His grandmother still carries him around on her back but very soon we can see he will be walking.  At the moment he is holding onto our furniture and wobbling a bit. Today Martin is wearing brand new boots, sent from his aunt in South Africa.

Support for Others

We have met a few times with the members of the St Vincent De Paul Society within the Parish.  They visit the sick, elderly and needy in the area and give support where they can.  The members relayed their concern for some vulnerable people particularly during the forecasted famine period, December to March. Fortunately, due to donations from people in Scotland the SVP will be able to assist 17 identified people; maize, beans, salt and washing soap will be issued monthly during the lean months.  It is difficult for us to imagine what it will be like during these lean months; to us “famine” is a word we have read in books or footage and photos viewed in the media.  To us famine is something in the distance, however, it is very real to people here.  I wonder how the children will cope, particularly during the Christmas holidays.  During school time children are used to eating a cup of porridge provided by Mary’s Meals but as one parent said, she will not be able to provide food midday; her family will get one small meal daily. It makes you reflect how much we eat and perhaps waste at home and how comfortable our lives are in UK.  I am aware many people struggle in U.K., but not like this.

SVP are dependent on donations from well wishers. Once again, with donations from people in Scotland, SVP now have a little fund for assisting individuals in an emergency and recently solar lights were purchased for some students to allow them to study in the evenings.

3 students and 2 SVP members with new solar lights

SVP member with provisions for the lean months

Music

We enjoy living in the city of Mzuzu and one of the benefits recently has been access to some music concerts. It has been wonderful to listen to live music in the open air. Everyone here enjoys singing and dancing.  Although there is a very good atmosphere at the events, initially it can be unsettling when you see the soldiers patrolling around with their rifles over their shoulders. Lucius Banda and the Black Missionaries, Malawi's top musicians, gave wonderful performances.

Fitzgerald Simfukwe & the Never Ending Meditators

Lucius Banda

Black Missionaries

Photos of St. Peter's Primary

Some pupils in Standard 5 were asked to respond to a questionnaire from pupils in Aberdeen, Scotland who were carrying out a comparative study of education in class. Ten pupils were chosen to come along to the school library to give responses, read the email sent by the Scottish pupils and view photos of their school.

Two pupils then took responsibility to take photos to send to Aberdeen (see below).

 The pupils enjoyed working in the school library which was a project funded by St. Mary's Primary in Largs several years ago.  It is a lovely working environment for small groups of pupils and staff.

 The pupils were proud to show off their class and photograph their teacher sitting at her desk at the front of the class.

 Pupils are delighted to have the Mary's Meals feeding station.on the left.  The classroom block on the right is for Standard One and Two pupils.

The water bucket is an important feature around the school giving pupils access to fresh water for hand washing and drinking.

Learning the Local Language

After our guests left and while the schools were on holiday we decided to learn Chitumbuka, the local language.  Unfortunately there are no books available in Chitumbuka because years ago the president declared Chichewa to be the national language therefore the language to be taught in schools as well as English. All the Chitumbuka books were tossed out. Many people here still speak Chitumbuka or a version of it.  However, we have been finding it difficult to pick up because you need to tune into the speaker.

In town we noticed a place by chance offering lessons in Chitumbuka so we booked in for 4 weeks which we later extended to 6 weeks.  We attended the place 4 mornings per week.  Lessons were enjoyable but not always easy.  We were even given homework!!

We particularly enjoyed going to Mr Ngwira's (our teacher) home to meet his father who is 96 years old and a former judge.  Our task was to prepare questions to ask him in Chitumbuka.  We had a very interesting morning and we learned a lot.  Mr Ngwira's wife had made a nice African cake for us to taste.

Mr Ngwira, our teacher (right) and his father.

Our second teacher, Mr Nyirenda took us to the local hardware market which was fun.  Once again we had to practise our language by bartering for a few goods.  We successfully managed to purchase a plunger for the shower and a wheel spanner for the car which we have just bought.  In addition we managed to purchase a few envelopes.

Mr Nyirenda, our teacher in class

The shop at the hardware market.

Our purchases