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I may not be able to access the internet until I complete training on September 1.  I will write letters and look forward to updating this blog as soon as possible.

Welcome Letters: Daily Life

The following excerpts are from Volunteers who currently serve or recently served in Malawi.

"In no time you'll be able to use a chimbudzi (pit latrine) with the most accurate aim, master the art of bucket-bathing, and prepare your favorite American dish over a three-stone fire." - Jake Farnum

"I remember hearing this and not believing it, but it's true: You don't need to pack a lot of clothes.  You can always get things here (especially if you love the adventure of open-air thift shopping).  Also pack tons of underwear, a swimsuit, and that one outfit that makes you feel 100 percent cozy and 100 percent you."   - Patricia Wundrow

        "The intensity that I experience here on a daily basis is much stronger than anything I could have imagined nine months ago, when I too held a Peace Corps manual in my hands and tried, somehow, to prepare.  But there is a lighthearted side to all of this, also.
        Malawians, as a whole, are very friendly, happy people.  We are always laughing - at and with each other.  Everything that I say is listened to and everything I do is observed.  Everything.  This is part of being a Volunteer in Malawi.  Just as I laugh out loud when I pass a muscular young man wearing a frilly pink T-shirt that says 'Mom to be,' I hear people laughing at me.  What am I wearing or doing that seems so humerous to these people?  Have I become such an odd creature overnight?  No.  I am just a person from another country that is very, very foreign to my new friends and neighbors.  When we discuss 'America' they shake their heads and say: 'Ah, it is a very strange place, madam!'" - Debbie Gordon

"Your life will probably be much more relaxed now.  My days revolve around clean laundry and going to buy vegetables.  Life is calm and happy in Malawi." - Naomi Bremer

"The people in my community have been my family; we have laughed together and we have cried together.  The chiefs and the villagers around Vwaza have been my friends; we have planted maize together, harvested termites and caterpillars together (and then we ate them), and searched for shooting stars together.  And the children are my entertainment; some of my best memories are sitting on the stoop outside my hut chatting with 'my Kazuni kids' under a full moon."  - Stephanie Jayne

Welcome Letters: Life Issues

The following excerpts are from Volunteers who currently serve or recently served in Malawi.

         "Think about the images that you have of Africa and where they come from.  The media often gives us a very skewed and negative perspective of African life with its portrayal of wars, pestilence, disease, famine, or starvation.  What we don't often see is what you will experience by living in Malawi.  It is a peaceful and wonderful place to call home.  The larger cities have the things that you would find in America... grocery stores, Internet services, restaurants, etc.  Day-to-day living comes with its own unique circumstances, and like every country in the world, Malawi is working to address the problems it faces.
         Your skills as a Peace Corps Volunteer can be a valuable contribution to the country's progress.  If you are willing to avoid making opinions of life in Malalwi based on Western concepts such as material resources or money, and instead focus on the things that really matter in life, you will quickly realize that you are living in one of the richest countries in the world."   - Kristof Nordin

"Your life will be very different here; face it.  But that's part of the reason you're joining the Peace Corps.  And you're going to go through some changes.  But be yourself, read a lot of good books, write your daily thoughts frequently, take a walk, a bike ride, chat, or play cards, and don't forget why you're here or who you are." - Angie Sanders

"I am representing what people know/think about the United States, so my actions have to be carefully thought out." - Jake Farnum

"AIDS is huge.  You'll see it everywhere.  One of the teachers at my school died during my site visit after suffering for several months.  Perhaps you should study up on HIV/AIDS before you come and be prepared to help educate your community." - Allison McGough

"As I prepared to enter the Peace Corps, I heard various stories about life in Africa for African Americans.  Some positive, some negative.  Well, I probably have a slightly different cut from any of the stories.  I have uncovered a special sense of pride in being African American.  It is now clear that though I am of African heritage, in the absence of tribal and/or country identity, that heritage doesn't mean much to anyone except me (and other Americans).  But as I am more conscious that I am 100 percent American, it does not trouble me to not know the particulars about something I cannot know.  Instead, perhaps it gives me a special flexibility." - Ella Lacey

"Malawi may be the 'Warm Heart of Africa' but it sure isn't for the 'Faint of Heart!'" - Patricia Wundrow

          

Welcome Letters: Getting Started - Training

The following excerpts are from Volunteers who currently serve or recently served in Malawi.  These excerpts are about the training period, which I will go through from July 3 - September 1.

"An overwheming period - new culture, new language, and new people.  Living with the host family is as hands-on as it gets in order to practice everything learned.  An opportunity to get to know your fellow Volunteers, because soon after, you may be a two-day mini-bus ride away from each other." - Jake Farnum

"Don't worry about the language - you'll learn it.  Don't worry about the culture - you'll find a way to accept it, and it will accept you.  Malawi is a wonderfully welcoming place and you'll grow to love it!  It is a good idea to bring some fun things to do with your host family like Frisbee and cards, and pictures of America and your family to share." - Laura Lanwermayer

        "It is important to remember that the 'Getting Started' process may seem slow by the standards that you have set for yourself.  It is normal to enter your time of service with a lot of enthusiasm, energy and willingness to 'get things done.'  Keep in mind, however, that you will also need to have an initial period of gaining the trust of your community, adapting to a new culture, and learning a new language.  These things take time and patience, but they are essential to a successful assignment.
        Your pre-service training will help you to gain the skills that will be necessary for this process.  If it feels like the beginning of your service is getting off to a slow start as far as 'work' is concerned, remember that you are doing some of the hardest and most important work of your two years.  When you enter your community, take the time to learn about yourself and those around you.  It makes a world of difference, and eventually it can make a difference in the world." - Kristof Nordin

"Training prepared me well for life in Malawi, especially living with my host family.  This is a very intense period.  Before I left the States, I left self-addressed stamped envelopes with my family and friends and stressed how much mail I'd need at first.  Don't expect to be in touch with people via telephone during this time." - Naomi Bremer

"Brace yourself.  Training is a challenge!  But...your days with your village family are a once-in-a-lifetime experience and will form some indelible memories.  How will I ever forget that one evening when my village family and I playfully balanced mangoes on our heads while walking home along the dusty path in the fading colors of the day?  Believe me, the challenges are well worth the journey.  Just open yourself to the experience, let it happen, and you'll know what I mean."   - Patricia Wundrow       

Geography and Climate

Malawi is south of the equator, so the seasons are opposite of those in the United States.  In June, July, and August the temperatures range from 35 degrees F in the higher elevations to 60 to 70 degrees near the shore of Lake Malawi.  The hottest months are October, November and December.  Temperatures range from 70 degrees F in the high elevations to around 90 to 95 degrees F in the lower elevations.  The rainy season starts in November or December and lasts through April.  The rest of the year is quite dry, although rain showers are possible throughout the year. 

The geography of Malawi is dominated by Lake Malawi, which stretches down most of the eastern side of the country.  The lake is a beautiful setting for many activities and also provides approximately 85 percent of the fresh-water tropical aquarium fish in the world.

History and Government

History

Malawi is a small country in southeastern Africa and is known for its natural beauty and its warm, hard-working people.  The first significant Western contact began with the arrival of David Livingstone in 1859.  Fiery sunlight glittering from Lake Nyasa gave the name "Malawi" - land of flaming waters - to an ancient Bantu empire.  Present-day descendants revived the name when what had once been the British Protectorate of Nyasaland became independent in 1963.

The country is considered something of a success story in African political development.  In 1994, after 30 years of one-party, dictatorial rule dating back to independence from Britain, Malawi quietly and peacefully elected a new government committed to multi-party democracy.  In spite of the wave of euphoria over their newly won freedom, the Malawian people continue to face the obstacles of poverty, drought, environmental degredation, hunger, disease, rising crime, and illiteracy on their path to social, political, and economic reform.

Government

Malawi has a parlimentary style of government with the president as the head of state.  The president has many powers and sets the agenda for parlimentary debate.  Peaceful presidential elections were held in 1999 and again in 2004, when the current president, Bingu wa Mutharika, was elected.  The national government still centrally manages most issues, although strides have been made toward a decentralization of power and greater control at the local level.

Two parties currently dominate the political landscape.  President Mutharika's party is the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which split off from the United Democratic Front (UDF), the party of former President Bakili Muluzi.  The Malawi Congress Party (MCP), the party of power during the 30-year authoritarian rule of former President Hastings Banda, is also still very much an active player.  The capital has been located in Lilongwe since the mid-1970s.  Some governmental entities still remain in the southern town of Zomba, the former capital.  With the move of the capital, all ministeries, embassies, and support structures for government shifted, so buildings and facilities in Lilongwe are relatively new.  Lilongwe has grown tremendously following the move, with a population of roughly 500,000 people.

People and Culture

Malawi is one of Africa's most densely populated countries with a population of about 12 million in a land roughly the size of Indiana.  The African population includes six principal tribes.  Although there are distinct linguistic and cultural differences among ethnic groups, geographic region tends to be the predominant means of group identification.  English is one of the official languages, though it is not commonly used outside major urban centers.  More than 50 percent of people speak Chicewa, the other official language, and almost everyone understands it.

Malawi is predominantly a Christian country, but it also has a sizable Islamic population, mostly located along the southern lakeshores.  Along with the major organized religions, animist beliefs are still strong in many areas of the country, and these beliefs often influence the organized religions as well.  Many religions take different forms than what I may be accustomed to, as local cultures and historical beliefs influence the practice.

While living and working in this very conservative society, I will be expected to respect the culture and traditions and tolerate or adapt to the differences I may find.

Food and Diet

The staple food in Malawi is maize (corn) prepared as a thick porridge called nsima and eaten with vegetables or beans.  Many fruits and vegetables grow in Malawi, and with a little creativity, you can enjoy a widely varied diet.  Most Volunteers prepare their own food, although after becoming more familiar with their site assignment, many Volunteers hire somone to help with household work, including cooking.  Fruits and vegetables are available "in season," which means some things will not be available at the market year round.  Meat and dairy products are available in the towns, though they can be expensive.

Trainees and Volunteers who are vegetarians will be able to eat well in Malawi after becoming familiar with local food items and their preparation.  Most Malawians do not understand vegetarianism and will not normally be prepared to serve a vegetarian meal if you are a guest in their home (even if they themselves do not regularly eat meat because of the expense.)  However, a sensitive explanation about your preferences will be accepted.  Most vegetarian Volunteers have no difficulty once the initial adjustment is accomplished.

I Am Because We Are

You can watch this whole movie for free on youtube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KamKXZHXMUA


In the African nation of Malawi, disease, poverty and famine have taken a horrible toll, especially on young people -- in a country of twelve million people, one million are orphaned children. In 2006, pop singer Madonna began studying the crisis in Malawi, and decided to use her wealth and celebrity to help; she helped finance the construction of a home for orphans, founded a relief organization called the Raising Malawi Orphan Care Initiative, and as a personal example she and her husband adopted a boy from Malawi, David Banda Mwale, whose mother had died. 


Madonna wrote and produced I Am Because We Are, a documentary about Malawi that attempts to demonstrate the need for action by profiling eight children growing up without parents; these youngsters long for a better life and strive to remain optimistic about the future despite the long odds fate has set against them. I Am Because We Are also features interviews with a number of people working to alleviate the ongoing tragedy in Malawi, including Bill Clinton, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Prof. Jeffrey D. Sachs, and leaders of a number of leading relief and charitable organizations.

Goodbye Cake

This cake was made for me by a member of the First Unitarian Society of Chicago where I was the Director of Religious Education from August 2007 - June 2010.

Basic Methodology and Assessment Criteria for Pre-Service Training (July 3 - September 1)

For the duration of the training, I will live with a Malawian family in a small village located near the college.  This is one of the most vital aspects of the entire training program.  The homestay is generally considered the most challenging, but also the most meaningful aspect of training by Malawi Volunteers.

The challenge lies in adapting to the rigors of Malawian village life.  The living conditions are generally extremely basic despite being only a few kilometers from a main road.  Some of the houses are cement block with tin roof and others are constructed of mud brick with grass thatched roofs.  I will have a private room with either a bed or a mattress on the floor for sleeping.  Toilet facilities consist of a pit latrine.  Bathing is done in outdoor stalls under the stars - a magical experience!  Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be taken with my host family.

The joy of the homestay is that I will be able to live as most Malawians live.  Homestay will immerse me in Malawi food, culture, and language.  The experience will expose me to the realities of the communities within which I will be serving.  Many Volunteers become very close to their homestay family, and we are encouraged to do this.  A family on this side of the world is a nice thing to have.

When I arrive in Malawi, Peace Corps Trainers will give me a list of competencies in language, culture, health, safety and security, and technical expertise.  I will be expected to master these competencies in order to be sworn in as a Volunteer.  I will be responsible for taking an active role in my learning process, evaluating my progress, and setting goals for my learning.  Peace Corps Trainers will help me assess my progress and make recommendations at several points during Pre-Service Training.

In order to be sworn in, I will need to demonstrate competence in five areas.  I must demonstrate:

1.  A working knowledge of the local language

2.  Knowledge of health risks common in Malawi and demonstrated practice of preventative health strategies

3.  Interpersonal and cross-culture skills and knowledge that enable me to communicate, make friends, understand my environment, understand how Malawians perceive and interact with me, and work effectively with Malawians

4.  The technical skills and knowledge essential to my work

5.  An understanding of Peace Corps' philosophy of development and my project's long-term plan to see how I fit in and what I can contribute

The last week of Pre-Service Training will focus on local resources, a field trip, and office orientation.  Upon successful mastery of the core competencies of training, I will be Sworn-in as a Peace Corps Volunteer on Wednesday, September 1st.  As a new Peace Corps Volunteer, I will be taken to my site on the following days (Thursday or Friday).

Pre-Service Training (July - September)

ACCOMMODATIONS

For the first week, trainees will stay in dorm rooms at the Dedza College of Forestry, which sits at the base of the Dedza Mountain in the middle of a high altitude pine forest.  The facilities are very simple but clean, with common bathrooms.  The first week is designed to orient us to Malawian culture and to the main goals and objectives of Peace Corps Malawi's mission.  But there is only so much we can learn about a culture from a distance, therefore after the first week, I will be placed with a Malawian host family.  The people in Malawi are renowned for their hospitality, generosity and kindness and there is no better way to get to know the people of Malawi than to live with a host family.  At the end of the first week, I will be moved to one of five home stay villages, which are divided by language groups in order to immerse me both linguistically and culturally.  I will be provided with my own room, with simple furnishings, within a family home.  Most home families do not have electricity, but I still will find my evenings full of socializing with my community members by lamp or fire light.  My host family has been hand-picked by Peace Corps and has received their own cross cultural training to prepare them for their time with me.  Additionally, there will be a Cultural Language Facilitator, a Technical Trainer and a second year Peace Corps Volunteer in each village to conduct our training sessions and to serve as a support team for any questions or concerns that may arise.

OVERVIEW OF TRAINING SCHEDULE

Week 1:  Introduction to language, culture, and the health system of Malawi

Week 2:  Community needs assessment methodologies and integration (knowing our community)

Week 3:  Communicable disease prevention (water, sanitation, malaria, diarrheal diseases)

Week 4:  Community Health (EPI, MCH, Family Planning) and HIV/AIDS in Malawi

Week 5:  Food security and nutritional deficiencies (food availability, permaculture, malnutrition)

Week 6:  Supervisor's Workshop

Week 7:  Site visit

Week 8:  Promote interventions for support and adoption of health behaviors such as (Life Skills, IGAs)

Week 9:  Training closure and preparation for swearing-in in Lilongwe

Travel Plans

July 1, 2010 

~ 7:30am flight to Philadelphia arriving at 11:30am

~ Peace Corps Orientation from 2pm to 7pm in Philadelphia

July 2, 2010

~ 7am bus from Philadelphia to JFK airport in NYC

~ 4pm flight from JFK to Amsterdam

July 3, 2010

~ Amsterdam to Nairobi

~ Arrive in Lilongwe, Malawi at 11pm after more than 24 hours of travel