First meetings always fill me with nerves, second meetings make me feel awkward. Meeting the people who you’ve met once and then are going to be living with for the next 10 weeks was like seeing that aunt you see once a year. Or at least that’s how I thought it would be, it was like seeing a friend you haven’t seen for ages; picking up exactly where you left off: the banter and inside jokes just like before you parted. They say you don’t really know a person until you go on holiday with them (not that this is a holiday, we are working very hard), and that seems true.
Two flights + 17 hours travel/ 2 days = a bonding session beyond comprehension (Especially when there’s some dodgy food involved).
All decked out in our Progressio Tshirts, Team Malawi & Zimbabwe were on our way to Ethiopia. After a heart felt goodbye to Team Zim we continued on our second leg to Malawi - our home for the next 10 weeks. Landing in Malawi and seeing our team leaders suddenly made everything seem so real. We were actually here, about to embark on a journey that would change our lives.
Our first week in Malawi was training for what laid ahead. Meeting our in-country counterparts was strange. However after playing the one game that unites everyone; Hot Potato, we all meshed into a big family and everything was fine. However on the 4th day tragedy struck! During a vicious team building game called Ninja one volunteer managed to dislocate her knee (not looking for any sympathy… but it was me) and thus began my love affair with Malawian Hospitals. Thankfully we had gone into town the two days before so I was prepared with Chitenjes (a wrap used for modesty and to convey status) so I have been able to wear them over my leg brace.
The journey to Mzuzu from Lilongwe was filled with the most beautiful forests I have ever seen, green as far as the eye can see as well as a gorgeous sunset. It was such a magical experience I cannot even explain. Since moving to Mzuzu the teams have been staying in host homes. Meeting my host family was lovely; Mrs N and her family have been so welcoming and sympathetic about my leg. I feel like I have a second family ( I am also proud to say that after two and a half weeks I am finally getting used to the cold showers).
Our first week with Ungweru was learning and planning training sessions. We learnt how to make a more environmentally friendly way of cooking, which included everyone getting completely covered in clay. We’ve also been going out to the local villages and acquainting ourselves with the people we will be working with in the upcoming weeks.
