Mary's Meals

After the meeting with the Girl Guides I spent time in Standard One; Chichewa then English lessons.  However, very soon the sky clouded over and we heard the rolling thunder...the rain came down in torrents.  At this time the children were leaving the class to go for their porridge at the feeding station organised by Mary's Meals.  Some of the children were lucky to return to class quickly to eat their porridge, while others had to wait a considerable time before venturing out. All the children appear to enjoy the porridge. Mary's Meals is such a simple idea which works extremely well; you can see the immediate benefit to the children and the local volunteers who serve the food.

Running back to class with a cup of porridge.



Seated first in class and getting ready to eat.

Looking through the classroom window.

I was very touched when I saw one little girl kindly sharing her cup of porridge with a friend who had an empty cup.

Very quickly I became aware of the classroom conditions deteriorating as the children returned with wet and muddy feet trampling all over the cement floor which the children had to sit on.  Despite this, all I could see were happy faces.

Final Vows

On Saturday we attended Mass at Marymount to witness Sister Judith take her final vows for entering the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (M.I.C.).  The Bishop of Karonga Diocese celebrated the Mass and the ceremony.

 

 

 

Mr Thomas Mvula, DHT at Katawa Primary is the link person with Caledonia Primary.  In the photo above he is one of the dancers dressed in the skins (back to the camera) and below wearing the brown top.

Girl Guides

Today I went to see the Girl Guides and their leaders at St. Peter’s Primary at noon.  When I arrived they were waiting in the shade under the trees near the school.  The girls sang and danced as a sign of welcome and opened our gathering with a prayer followed by the Guide Promise.  Next the girls outlined some of the activities they do at Guides; cooking, sport and Bible Knowledge.  They learn to cook nsima, chicken, meat with bananas and greens.  Their favourite sport is netball.  Several of the girls today, recited a verse from the Bible while others sang a song or recited a poem in English, Chichewa or Chitumbuka. It was very entertainment.

I presented to the group 2 bags consisting of various items collected in Scotland; coloured pencils, felt tips, drawing paper, crayons, skipping ropes and balloons.  I explained that these materials did not come in our luggage but were transported by ship via South Africa, then by road through Mozambique.  The gift was warmly received.

 

 

 

 

The girls and their leaders have been asked to identify a small list of resources which they would like to extend their activities then I can collect on my return visit to Scotland.

Rain! Rain! Rain!

Over the past week we have had heavy rains which are good for the crops; however power cuts have become a daily occurrence.  The lack of electricity has given us a challenge for planning our meals, particularly since the fridge defrosts quickly leaving a pool of water on the floor.  We do not have a charcoal burner, therefore we need to plan to eat things which do not require cooking eg. sandwiches or crackers.  Fortunately the cooks at the Fathers’ house will give us a flask of hot water for coffee.

The rains bring many flying insects and ants appear often around the fallen leaves, therefore sweeping around the outside of the house is a daily chore. Often we hear the croaking of frogs in the garden and the sound of many birds.   Inside the house, Father Phillip gave us a very good spray aptly named “DOOM” which gets rid of unwanted insects.

 

 

 

 

Standard One at St. Peter's Primary

I had a great time yesterday at St. Peter’s Primary in Standard One for number time.   Due to the rains, several children were absent therefore two classes were put together, hence there were around 90 children in one classroom.  Normally there are around 60 pupils in the Standard One class (this is the recommended teaching ratio).  Children were learning all about the number 7.  It was interesting because the teacher spoke in Chitumbuka and English to the class.  The children counted and chanted the numbers in English. The lesson was timetabled for one hour.  Pupils were organised into 5 groups with a group leader appointed to look after the counting resources (books, bottles and sticks).  At the end of the lesson children drew 7 things in their jotter.  As you can imagine it took the teacher and myself some time to check every jotter and give assistance where required. 

 

Bishop Zuza’s Funeral

Yesterday (Monday 19 January) we attended Bishop Zuza’s funeral.  He was the bishop of Mzuzu Diocese for 9 and a half years.  We were fortunate to have known him.  Every time we visited Malawi, we were always welcomed at his home.  He came to Scotland as a member of the group from St. Peter’s Seminary, Rumphi visiting their partners at St. Benedict’s Secondary in Linwood.

There were many, many people in attendance at the funeral.  The rain poured down very heavily for most of the morning turning part of the grounds into a mud bath.  Fortunately, we were given a seat under cover to the side of the altar, just behind the priests.  Others were not so fortunate, they were standing under umbrellas for the full Mass, lasting around 4 hours.  There were many fitting tributes to Bishop Zuzu from all over Africa and around the world.  He will always be remembered as kind, smiling Bishop with a big laugh and a great heart.  He spoke out for justice for all people.

 

 

The Rainy Season

We have had several heavy downpours over the past couple of weeks, however, the sun comes out and dries up the rain quickly.  Before the downpours it gets very hot, but afterwards it is a little cooler and more pleasant.  Although we have anoraks to wear they make you very hot, so thanks again to Shoprite we were able to purchase a big umbrella.

 

 If you are inside the house when it is raining, it is very noisy because the rain batters down on the aluminium roof.  Sometimes it is so loud, it is impossible to hear the other person speaking.  Here, people are happy to see the rains because now is the time for planting the maize which will provide them with food for later in the year.  Normally the rains come much sooner but people believe global warming has caused them to arrive much later. The landscape around Mzuzu is changing because all the gardens and spare ground has been turned over and now maize is sprouting through the soil.  Many people plant beans with the maize as the beans are supported by the maize plants as they grow up; they wind up the maize stalks.

Although Mzuzu has had rain, it is not as much as usual so we are expecting more downpours in the weeks to come. The power supply has been sporadic.  This is our sixth day without power during the day.  Fortunately we have had a few hours of electricity at night.  As you can imagine, it goes off without any warning so it is difficult to plan for.  However, we are getting better prepared; hot water in a flask to make tea or coffee and some bread and crackers available.


There have been floods further north of Mzuzu at Karonga and Rumphi and further south in Zomba, Machinga, Mangochi, Salima, Mulanje and Chikwawa.  Rivers have burst their banks, bridges have collapsed and houses have been swept away.  Sadly many people have been displaced while some people have lost their lives.  The President has declared in the country a State of Emergency.

 

New Year

On Hogmanay we attended Mass at 10.00p.m.  The Church was full of people, particularly young people.  At midnight, everyone was dancing and singing in the aisles, "Chaka Chiwemi"....Happy New Year.

New Year's Day we spent at Mary Martha. A Canadian friend sent some funds which meant everyone at the Centre started the year well with good meal....smiles all round!

 

 

 

 

Christmas Time at the Women’s Development Centre

The Christmas Party at the Centre was planned for 30 December.  In the morning Richard, Robert, Carlo and Precious agreed to make some Christmas decorations which Anne and Michael had sent over. They had such fun making the paper chains and looking at the lovely colourful pictures – Santas, reindeer, penguins and snowmen.  Precious particularly liked the red shiny chain and with help he could count the rings…he is in Standard 1 at St. Peter’s.

 

Putting the decorations up at the Centre was a challenge; they kept breaking and the sellotape only held them for a short while on the wall.  Finally Sepo realised we could use one of the high wooden beams, so we borrowed a ladder (not like ours but made from a tree trunk).  Fearless Sepo climbed up to the wooden beam to hang some decorations and Dorica found some ribbon to tie them round the pillars.  Many children joined in by blowing up the balloons then hanging them up.  There was much laughter and smiling as we chanted “YES, Yes, Yes”…thanks Tom for the balloons. 

 

 

Party time began.  We had lots of games; races, skipping, football, skittles and the wonderful coloured parachute.  It is great to see that some of the toys previously taken out are still intact and being used.

 

 

 

Next everyone enjoyed the food; 2 pieces of meat, a large plate of rice, small spoon of greens and one potato.  This was washed down with a glass of Sobo (diluting orange). Some children put a little of their food in a container to take home to share with the family or to eat later.

 

 

 

Finally it was time to give the Christmas gifts which had been sent from St. Matthew’s Academy and a sweet sent from Scotland.  It was great to wish each child a Merry Christmas on behalf of St. Matthew’s and Scottish Donors.  Once again, Paul and I feel very privileged to this on their behalf.  We have the very good fortune of seeing the joy on the children’s faces and feeling the warmth in their hearts. 

There was great excitement as the children opened their gifts.  Finally it was time for Thanksgiving. One girl gave a Vote of Thanks in English to all the people who made this day possible.  Sepo, one of the older boys prayed in Chitumbuka while Lucy translated for us.  The words were very touching and I am certain if the Scottish people heard him they would continue to support the children at Christmas time; they do not take for granted the efforts made by everyone in Scotland.  This great day will be one of the happiest memories the children will treasure. 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Day

Today there was a luncheon in the Church Hall for vulnerable children and the elderly.  We decided to take some lollies and balloons for the children, thinking there would only be a few of them.  To our surprise it was mainly children here – around 60.  Fortunately we had enough to go round.  At the helpers’ request we ended up staying the whole afternoon and sharing a meal of rice, meat and cabbage.  It was great to see the children smiling their Christmas Day.  Later we walked in the hot sun to town to eat a tasty curry at the very good Indian Restaurant.  Our day was complete when we were able to Skype our families and wish them a “very Merry Christmas”. 

Mary Martha Christmas Party

When we arrived at Mary Martha on 22 December for the Christmas Party the rains came down, heavily.  The children were served their food then they ran over to the former chicken coop to eat.  Inside fires were burning, smoke wafting, pots bubbling and children eating and smiling as the rain poured down.  Everyone was happy; many jumping barefoot over the muddy puddles.  Plates were circulating back and forth; as one person finished eating, plates were washed outside in a big water tub, ready for the person.  You know it is a special celebration because meat is being served with rice.  Children also ate nsima and greens.

There was great excitement when the rain stopped; time for giving presents from St. Matthew’s Academy – yes, this is Christmas.  What a wonderful atmosphere!  The children looked excitedly at their presents, ripped the Christmas paper apart then you could see them chatting and showing their gifts to each other; lollies in mouths and much laughter.  Older children were gathered round reading the Christmas cards which were part of the present.  I wish the donors could see the happiness the children are experiencing on this day.  Finally there was singing and dancing of thanks to St. Matthew’s and friends for providing the food and gifts.

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Time

It was strange for us celebrating Christmas here in the sunshine and the heat.  Unlike Scotland there is no build up to Christmas.  There is only one big new store, Shoprite, which has the Christmas music playing and artificial Christmas trees on sale.  We were lucky to buy one of the trees and a few decorations.  I also bought some crepe paper to make decorations for the house and for the children to make for their Christmas party.

We attended Mass on Christmas Eve at 8p.m.  It only lasted 2 and a half hours.  There was a great carnival atmosphere in the Church.  Decorations, banners and fairy lights were hanging across the Church.  People were dancing and singing to sound of the drums beating.  There was stable created from banana leaves and tree branches, large enough for people to go inside.  However, a newborn baby was not found so nativity figures were put inside. When the birth of baby Jesus was announced, the altar boys rang round and round the Church ringing the bells and the bellringer rang the steeple bells.

After Mass everyone wished each other “Chaka chiwemi cha Christmas”…..  “Happy Christmas”.