Chinteche Beach

Chinteche beach on the lake is a beautiful place; the sand is very soft and the hotel serves delicious food.  On a recent visit we watched a person going up in a small powered parachute then flying over the area, along to Bandawe Point. It looked great fun.

Ordination of a New Bishop

We were delighted to attend the ordination of the new Bishop of Mzuzu Diocese on Saturday August; John Ryan from the Keltigern Order. The service took place in the Stadium near the Parish.  On the day, there was a carnival atmosphere; everyone was very happy and excited to participate in the event.  Fortunately we were seated in front of the choir with a clear view of the altar and all of the proceedings.  The singing and dancing was wonderful and the sun shone brightly.  It was a day to remember.  Many people had purchased the special cloth for the occasion representing St. Peter's Parish.  I was very fortunate to have a skirt made on time for the day.  The highlight for us was hearing Bishop Ryan speak; we could not help smiling when we heard his Irish accent.  Although he has lived in Malawi for many years, his accent is pronounced.

With Irene Jerre who visited St. Mary's Primary in Largs in 2010

Bishop Ryan giving his blessing

Second Birthday

Little Martin was 2 years old at the beginning of November.  He is now walking around confidently.  We celebrated his birthday with his gran, aunt and 2 cousins.  His cousin Elbert was on holiday here in Mzuzu for a couple of weeks.

Blowing out the birthday candles

Little Martin between cousins Elbert and Joel

Partners in Scotland

Everyone in St. Mary's Primary, at Nambo in Mzuzu is delighted to become partners with St. Anthony's Primary community in Saltcoats. Mr Kansato, the head teacher was over the moon when he sent his first email to the head teacher at St. Anthony's. Learners at St. Mary's are now eagerly awaiting to here about life in Scotland from their penpals.

Mr Kansato

St Peter's Primary in Mzuzu is a very large school with 2 shifts.  The school has been in partnership with St. Mary's Primary in Largs for about 7 years.  As the school here is growing and more learners wish to communicate with pupils in Scotland, another new and exciting partnership has been established with St. Peter's Primary in Ardrossan; recently they exchanged gifts.

Beautiful cloth sent with warm greetings from Mzuzu to Ardrossan

St. Peter's, Ardrossan gifted a school sweatshirt, tie and handbook to Mzuzu

When we were back in Scotland, we thoroughly enjoyed attending the P6 class assembly where pupils shared information they had learned about Africa  and about Malawi.  Their partners at Lunyangwa Girls Primary were very happy to see the photos.

Memories

Tom and Jennifer visited us again in July.  We all had a wonderful time.  Some of the highlights were; returning to stay at the lake, horse riding at Kande, celebrating Tom's birthday, playing games with the children at Mary Martha and the Women's Development Centre, purchasing some lovely things at Dedza Pottery and visiting Salima.

St. Peter's Primary Open Day

St. Peter's Primary Open day was a lovely event.  The pupils spoke very well on various topics including health, agriculture, biology and equality.  I particularly like hearing about the different soil types and being given the opportunity to see and touch the soils.

Presentations in the school library to invited guests

Once again I was taken aback at how well the children dance and the great sense of rhythm they all have.  Each class danced to their chosen music; my favourite was watching the Standard One pupils. The dramas tackling local issues were also excellent.

There was a prizegiving ceremony where individual pupils were recognised and then every teacher received a large red storage bucket which you can keep maize or water in, for their commitment to the school.

St. Peter's Secondary Graduation Day

We were invited to join St. Peter's Form 4 students on their graduation day.  There was a full programme.  The day began with Mass at the Cathedral around 8.30a.m. During the Mass Fr. Nkunika blessed the writing materials the students will use at their final exams this week. Blair who was part of the Malawian Student Group in Scotland wore his St. Matthew's tie f.or the occasion

Blessing of writing implements

After Mass, we walked to the Hall to listen to the speeches from the various invited guests, including the Inspector of Secondary Schools and Fr. Nkunika, the Chaplain. Various activities were presented by the students to entertain us; the dramas created much hilarity.  Next there was the prizegiving recognising several individuals - each received a special cup.  Every student was also presented with a certificate to mark completing their 4 years of secondary education.

Presentation of certificate

Modelling traditional dress

We were served a delicious lunch consisting of rice, chicken or beef and vegetables.  The day ended with dancing to the local music.

Visit to Bowe

We decided to drive south to Lilongwe, 380km away.  On the way we stopped at Bowe to meet with Fr. Joseph a missionary priest from Nigeria.  Fortunately Bowe is situated just off the main road so it was fine for our little car.  Fr. Joseph showed us around. We visited the local primary school with around 900 pupils, which is considered small.  I was impressed to see boys and girls playing a netball match together. We toured the Technical College which is now deserted; it has been closed for 2 years due to lack of funds.  However, Fr. Joseph is hopeful that with some support it could be reopened. Sadly the clinic which helped many people in the are is also closed so now people have to travel a distance to Kasungu.

Fr. Joseph has been looking at different ways to bring in some income to the Parish.  Recently he purchased one day old chicks so that he will eventually be able to sell their eggs.  We found this funny because Fr. Joseph does not like eggs. More surprisingly we saw our first turkeys here.

Standard 6

Part of the Technical College

New friends

Chicks

Turkey

Fr. Joseph

Inside one of the the technical classroms

Lunyangwa Girls' Open Day

We attended Lunyangwa Primary's Open Day recently.  Surprising it was a very cold day here; we had to put on a jumper.  There was even a very heavy downpour making the ground muddy.  This did not stop the girls from presenting the programme of activities or dampen the happy atmosphere. I particularly liked the explanation and demonstration of "hand washing" which is vital to prevent illness.  There were various learning stations; number, agriculture, nutrition and science.  The learners also participate in a spelling competition, debate, poetry recitation, dancing and singing.

Showing the various types of greens

Traditional dance

Local Councillor joining in the dancing

Later there was an an award ceremony where learners were given pencils and exercise jotters.  Certain teachers received recognition for their contribution to the school and they were presented with a large, plastic bin which is used for storing water or flour.  The rounded off with a learner versus teachers Netball Match.

Presentation of awards

Development of Maize Garden

Good news! Due to the kindness of SSVP friends in Scotland, the maize garden will be extended; double in size.  Here the SVDP members have formulated the plan within the budget and very soon they will start by making the ridges.  At the next planting we intend to plant some beans also and we pray the weather conditions will nurture them. The food from the gardens will enable the SVDP to stretch out to many more needy people in the community.  At the same time they will take steps to become self sufficient. Everyone is very excited about this project.

Paul with 3 SVDP members

View from the bottom of the garden, looking uphill

Maize Harvest

Recently we were harvesting some of the maize crop in the garden which is a joint venture with members of SVDP here in Mzuzu and friends in Scotland.  The maize is for the needy in the Parish. The intention is for the SVDP to be able to manage in this on their own eventually; sustainability. We had a wonderful morning at the garden (we would refer to it as a field).  By the time we arrived the volunteers had picked many of the cobs; they worked swiftly.  We tried but we were slow to get the cob free from the stalk and leaves.  Due to the weather conditions, initially good sunshine then a tremendous amount of rain some of the cobs were destroyed.  However, it appears the yield was 75% so we fared better than expected.  The cobs will be shelled then taken to the maize mill to be ground into flour.  The flour will be distributed to the needy over several months, however we are aware that people will still face hardship in the months to come.

Heading down to the maize garden

Good maize

Harvesting

Carrying the maize uphill

Maize collected to be died and shelled

Books, books and more books

Last week we visited Kachere Primary in Rumphi district, around 60km north of Mzuzu. We delivered 3 large boxes of beautiful books and some lovely bright book bags which were donated by everyone from Caledonia Primary in Saltcoats.  The pupils and staff were delighted by our visit and they were overjoyed to see the colourful books.  The local radio interviewed a couple of pupils regarding their reactions to receiving the gift.

Watching the books being unloaded from the vehicle

Wonderful books

Beautiful book bags

The Head Teacher, class teacher and S7 pupils

Thank You

Once again, some of the primary children wish to thank friends in Scotland who have given them lovely new uniforms to wear at school.  Dorica, a widow at the Women's Development Centre in the Parish made the girls' uniforms while Mr January made the boys' uniforms.

Dorica and Howard from Standard 7

Dorica and some of the children with their new uniforms

Paul and Anne's Kitchen

We both enjoy cooking and baking here in Malawi.  There are many fresh vegetables and fruits grown locally, however they are seasonal and not available all year round.  We are fortunate we can afford to buy the different types of flour here for baking so we have made bread, cakes and biscuits. Some Malawian ladies here bake African cake; they have promised to share the recipe with me.

Homemade pita pockets

Last Sunday, the power was cut off all day so we decided to borrow a charcoal burner for cooking. At first it can be very smoky but very soon the kitchen was warm.  Unlike the Malawian ladies, I am unable to touch the hot pans with my bare hands.

Boiling up water

Grilling aubergines