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Malawi October 2014 - March 2015
This was my second volunteer project in Africa, the first being in Uganda in 2012, but my first with Love Volunteers. LV were very supportive particularly pre-planning information, good value for money and I would certainly use them again without hesitation.
I had never taught before going to Uganda: I used to be an engineer in the oil and gas construction industry, so to be a teacher in Africa was a real career change for me - and much more satisfying.
I was working at a rural community centre to the SW of the capital Lilongwe, the nearest town being Mitundu. Getting there involved two local mini busses and a lastly a bicycle taxi, or motorbike if I was lucky, to the centre.
The centre, called "Abundant Life" was the creation of my host Moses Njobvu, and was still under construction when I arrived. It serves as a community centre for the surrounding villages where young children, approx 5-8yrs, are taught basic English and bible studies by a handful of dedicated local villagers, most of whom were unpaid. A very important feature is a daily feeding program where on average 100 children are given soya and maize porridge for lunch, which for many may be their only meal that day. There is a small vegetable garden providing additional food and a little income.
I worked teaching the alphabet, words, numbers, shapes, colours etc to the children to give them a basic introduction to the English language. Early schooling is invaluable to rural village kids if their education is ever going to progress so giving them at least the start in life that they would otherwise never have. I also helped with the daily feeding program, dishing up the porridge and making sure everyone was fed. But I Ioved playing with the children; they have such a sense of fun and find enjoyment in simple games, singing and dancing, and not just the children-the adults as well.
Twice a week I would teach science in a village primary school to 9-10yrs and 11-12yrs children. This was a government school but even so teaching materials were minimal, although they did have desk and chairs to sit on. The kids were so enthusiastic to learn and fun to teach that the experience was hugely enjoyable.
As well as teaching I would spend time visiting vulnerable people in the community with Numeri Banda, the Abundant Life community officer. Together we would see what their needs were and what support A.L. could give. This was enormously rewarding because it gave me a unique insight into the realities of rural life which I consider a real privilege.
The buildings at the centre are not yet finished, cooking is done outside on an open fire, water fetched from a bore hole, there is no electricity. There are no desks or chairs for the kids; they sit on the concrete floors. No books, or writing materials that we would take for granted. If there is no money one month either the teachers don't get paid or the kids go without food. That is the harsh reality.
Abundant Life Centre is totally self supporting: there are no big donor organizations or rich patrons in the background providing unlimited funds, it relies totally on the voluntary donations raised through the tireless fundraising efforts of Moses, and of course the LV volunteer program.
I stayed with Moses and his lovely wife, Betty, their two beautiful daughters and delightful young son. I was welcomed into their home from day one as part of the family, sharing not only their food but also their lives. They accepted me and showed me kindness that is indescribable: to them I was uncle Tim.
I have been shown extraordinary kindness, love and compassion; I have witnessed poor people struggle with uncomplaining dignity and the innocence and joy of children but importantly I have experienced tolerance and acceptance like never before. The entire experience of my volunteer program has been life changing, my outlook on life has changed; I have learnt patience, tolerance and humility.
Tim Wright (England) 2015