Greetings!!
I am so happy that some requests are coming in about meeting certain officials in Malawi to answer questions about Malawi or to fulfill research that is being done here about various aspects of life.
We are all arriving between 10am and 2pm. We will most likely be pretty tired from having been in the air for over 24 hours. We will have lunch and then most likely rest. However, the afternoon might be a time when some meeting can be arranged. The next day we will be able to explore the Capitol City before leaving for the village. This will be another opportunity to meet with Govt or Non Govt. officials if you request it.
We will leave for the village between 1pm and 2pm.
Let me know if there is someone that you would like to meet or interview etc in the city and I will see if I can make it happen either on the 7th or 8th or on the 18th when we are on our way out.
gratitude and blessings, Masankho
Friday, June 29, 2007
What is needed in Malawi?
Greetings!!
My heart is filled with gratitude. Many of you are asking what to bring that is helpful and needed? Please know that I am in the process of getting answers for you. In about a week I will post a blog about the things that are critically needed in the village that you can bring if you wish.
Please know that you are under no obligation to bring anything. Your undertaking of this journey is an incredible gift to me and to the people of Tukombo (village where we will stay).
I am finding it hard to have the words that can convey my gratitude that you are all coming on this journey. We are building a bridge that will last for many generations. It is a bridge of love, dance, conversation, stories, tears, songs and breaking bread. This bridge is not built with things, it is built by our connection to each other.
Stay tuned for the list! When the list is posted and if you decide to bring something please keep in mind luggage weight restrictions.
gratitude and blessings, Masankho
My heart is filled with gratitude. Many of you are asking what to bring that is helpful and needed? Please know that I am in the process of getting answers for you. In about a week I will post a blog about the things that are critically needed in the village that you can bring if you wish.
Please know that you are under no obligation to bring anything. Your undertaking of this journey is an incredible gift to me and to the people of Tukombo (village where we will stay).
I am finding it hard to have the words that can convey my gratitude that you are all coming on this journey. We are building a bridge that will last for many generations. It is a bridge of love, dance, conversation, stories, tears, songs and breaking bread. This bridge is not built with things, it is built by our connection to each other.
Stay tuned for the list! When the list is posted and if you decide to bring something please keep in mind luggage weight restrictions.
gratitude and blessings, Masankho
Please introduce yourself to my Dad!!
Greetings!!
My Parents and Sister are looking forward to meeting you all. The Untensive will take place by my Sister's and Dad's cottages right by the Lake. Last September when 15 people came to Malawi (including Krista) my Dad was very interested in knowing who everyone was, where they were coming from and what they did in their lives. This time I would like to be ahead of the game. Please send me a paragraph about you. I will send it to my Dad and Mom. It would be great if you could write it in microsoft word and please include a photo if you have one online. Please respond to as many of these questions as you would like:
Your Name
Where you live
Where you were born if different from where you live currently
Where you went to school and your education
Your area of work and where you are currently working
The reasons why you are coming to Malawi
The things you hope to see and learn
Brief details about your family
Any other details that you feel would introduce you to my family
Thank you for doing this. Stay tuned for more information and answers to your questions.
gratitude and blessings, Masa
My Parents and Sister are looking forward to meeting you all. The Untensive will take place by my Sister's and Dad's cottages right by the Lake. Last September when 15 people came to Malawi (including Krista) my Dad was very interested in knowing who everyone was, where they were coming from and what they did in their lives. This time I would like to be ahead of the game. Please send me a paragraph about you. I will send it to my Dad and Mom. It would be great if you could write it in microsoft word and please include a photo if you have one online. Please respond to as many of these questions as you would like:
Your Name
Where you live
Where you were born if different from where you live currently
Where you went to school and your education
Your area of work and where you are currently working
The reasons why you are coming to Malawi
The things you hope to see and learn
Brief details about your family
Any other details that you feel would introduce you to my family
Thank you for doing this. Stay tuned for more information and answers to your questions.
gratitude and blessings, Masa
Where is Tukombo?
Tukombo where we will be staying is a village. If you look for it on google or yahoo it most likely will not show up in a search. Nkhata Bay is the largest city near the village of Tukombo (about) 50 miles away. In fact if you look up Chinteche it might come up in a search. Chinteche is about halfway between Tukombo and Nkhata Bay. Try putting Nkhata Bay and then Chinteche in google or yahoo and see what you discover. Happy searching!!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Who's arriving early and leaving late?
Greetings of peace and love!!
Hello Everyone! You are going to hear from me pretty often from today through August 4th. First thing I would like to do is to find out:
Who is getting to Malawi on the 6th of August?
Who is leaving after August 19th? How long do you plan to stay?
Who needs to leave Malawi before the 19th?
Thank you for this information. Stay tuned!!
Masankho
Hello Everyone! You are going to hear from me pretty often from today through August 4th. First thing I would like to do is to find out:
Who is getting to Malawi on the 6th of August?
Who is leaving after August 19th? How long do you plan to stay?
Who needs to leave Malawi before the 19th?
Thank you for this information. Stay tuned!!
Masankho
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Generating trash
Susan Kirsch offers this reflection about trash in Tukombo:
One of the things that struck me about Tukombo is that there weren’t any wastebaskets. That’s because nothing went to waste, and everything in their environment is biodegradable. I remember they graciously collected our trash—cellophane, plastic, vinyl, etc. and buried it with their compost. Perhaps they didn’t realize it wouldn't decompose, but we know that. Encourage people to think about Tukumbo like camping in a remote, pristine valley where they wouldn’t think of littering. Maybe organizers can bring a bag to take trash back to Lilongwe... Who knows what happens to it there? It probably goes to landfill and dumps.
One of the things that struck me about Tukombo is that there weren’t any wastebaskets. That’s because nothing went to waste, and everything in their environment is biodegradable. I remember they graciously collected our trash—cellophane, plastic, vinyl, etc. and buried it with their compost. Perhaps they didn’t realize it wouldn't decompose, but we know that. Encourage people to think about Tukumbo like camping in a remote, pristine valley where they wouldn’t think of littering. Maybe organizers can bring a bag to take trash back to Lilongwe... Who knows what happens to it there? It probably goes to landfill and dumps.
Being asked for money in Malawi
Krista offers these reflections from her last trip:
I think people in the InterPlay Malawi group would benefit from some kind of group orientation about how to respond to the heart pulls and confusion they may feel when asked over and over again for help from Malawi villagers. Masankho’s sister has some very clear guidelines when people ask her for money. She tends to feel that handouts do nothing to help people become more self-reliant and independent. She might create a work project for someone who is in need and then pay him for the work. She prefers to direct her money to organizations that work for the common good of many rather than the saving of one. Personally, I am responding in both ways – on a personal basis with a few people and through a non-profit foundation (KUDO) for most of my focus. I think some psychic/psychological protection would be helpful to Malawi travelers as well as some “prayers” asking for the wisest way to respond to the situations that will come up. The village people are compelled to ask for help. I do not fault them in the least. And they, too, have misunderstandings about America. I have a number of pen pals in Africa who continue to request assistance for a variety of needs from health care to education to cell phones and DVD’s!
I think people in the InterPlay Malawi group would benefit from some kind of group orientation about how to respond to the heart pulls and confusion they may feel when asked over and over again for help from Malawi villagers. Masankho’s sister has some very clear guidelines when people ask her for money. She tends to feel that handouts do nothing to help people become more self-reliant and independent. She might create a work project for someone who is in need and then pay him for the work. She prefers to direct her money to organizations that work for the common good of many rather than the saving of one. Personally, I am responding in both ways – on a personal basis with a few people and through a non-profit foundation (KUDO) for most of my focus. I think some psychic/psychological protection would be helpful to Malawi travelers as well as some “prayers” asking for the wisest way to respond to the situations that will come up. The village people are compelled to ask for help. I do not fault them in the least. And they, too, have misunderstandings about America. I have a number of pen pals in Africa who continue to request assistance for a variety of needs from health care to education to cell phones and DVD’s!
Travel and Packing Tips
Krista Harris has offered this advice based on her last trip to Malawi:
When I traveled to Malawi in September of 2006, there was not enough time to book a hotel room during our layover. If you have the time and the money, it would be a great gift to your body to take a shower and get horizontal for 4-6 hours. I would not deal with suitcases, though. Just a change of underwear would be awesome! I don't believe that Heathrow has sleeping cubbies to rent, but it would be worth checking this out. Meghan and I are going on frequent flier miles to Malawi and will be on a completely different flight than the group. We have a marathon flight from Chicago to Johannesburg that refuels en route in Dakur, Senegal without allowing passengers to leave the airplane. I estimate that we will be in that plane for close to 18 hours and plenty crazy. I am bringing xanex and sleeping pills - I highly recommend these. Some people also had very good luck with the jet lag tablets that are now available in travel stores. I think they help.
It is very helpful to wear support knee high socks on these long trips. Nurses wear these to help support their legs when working long shifts. You can purchase them at uniform supply stores. These knee socks help reduce or eliminate leg swelling - most of us suffered from that during our flights to Malawi and for a few days afterward.
Here are some clothing suggestions I received before my previous trip to Malawi in September of 2006. (With a few additions from me.) Masankho and Phil and Cynthia should be sending something like this out soon, I imagine. My main question for Masankho is: how different is the weather in August from that in September when I visited?
Dress and packing - some helpful hints:
* MALAWI IS A CONSERVATIVE country (thanks to the Scottish Presbyterians!) and we should be respectful of their customs and culture. While shorts are fine, we should avoid overly revealing or provocative clothing.
* Pack lightly, and don't plan on bringing a new outfit for every day of the trip
* (When I was in Malawi, there were a couple of opportunities to have our clothing washed. I imagine this will also be the case at the Kande Beach Resort, www.kandebeach.com.) Bring woolite or something similar for handwashing anything small.
* Bring comfortable shoes- sturdy walking shoes and perhaps a pair of Tevas or flip-flops.
* Long pants and shorts are fine.
* Conservative sundresses that can be worn with a T-shirt underneath and a lightweight outer layer are great. Skirts can be very comfortable if it is warm.
* One outfit that is fairly nice (like a casual dinner outfit) if you wish.
* We may get a touch of rain so bring a small umbrella and/or a light rain poncho.
* The weather should be similar to that of the Northern California but different seasons.(I was in Malawi in September which was between their winter and spring.) It was warm, sometimes hot, sometimes cool.
* We will be able to go swimming at Lake Malawi. Masankho has identified safe places for us to swim so bring a suit if you like.
Light clothing is essential.
You want to feel comfortable when the temperature rises and when it drops.
A jersey for cool weather and late nights.
Long sleeved shirts and light trousers help keep mosquitoes at bay at night.
Shorts are fine.
Hat
Sun block
Medications
Insect repellant
First aid kit
Reading material
Binoculars
Camera
Electric adapters
Even though everyone worried about getting diarrhea, most of us suffered from constipation! Bring something to deal with this possibility as well.
ALSO:
PLEASE REMEMBER, when we leave Malawi to return home
you need to have $30.00 in U.S. cash to exit the airport.
When I traveled to Malawi in September of 2006, there was not enough time to book a hotel room during our layover. If you have the time and the money, it would be a great gift to your body to take a shower and get horizontal for 4-6 hours. I would not deal with suitcases, though. Just a change of underwear would be awesome! I don't believe that Heathrow has sleeping cubbies to rent, but it would be worth checking this out. Meghan and I are going on frequent flier miles to Malawi and will be on a completely different flight than the group. We have a marathon flight from Chicago to Johannesburg that refuels en route in Dakur, Senegal without allowing passengers to leave the airplane. I estimate that we will be in that plane for close to 18 hours and plenty crazy. I am bringing xanex and sleeping pills - I highly recommend these. Some people also had very good luck with the jet lag tablets that are now available in travel stores. I think they help.
It is very helpful to wear support knee high socks on these long trips. Nurses wear these to help support their legs when working long shifts. You can purchase them at uniform supply stores. These knee socks help reduce or eliminate leg swelling - most of us suffered from that during our flights to Malawi and for a few days afterward.
Here are some clothing suggestions I received before my previous trip to Malawi in September of 2006. (With a few additions from me.) Masankho and Phil and Cynthia should be sending something like this out soon, I imagine. My main question for Masankho is: how different is the weather in August from that in September when I visited?
Dress and packing - some helpful hints:
* MALAWI IS A CONSERVATIVE country (thanks to the Scottish Presbyterians!) and we should be respectful of their customs and culture. While shorts are fine, we should avoid overly revealing or provocative clothing.
* Pack lightly, and don't plan on bringing a new outfit for every day of the trip
* (When I was in Malawi, there were a couple of opportunities to have our clothing washed. I imagine this will also be the case at the Kande Beach Resort, www.kandebeach.com.) Bring woolite or something similar for handwashing anything small.
* Bring comfortable shoes- sturdy walking shoes and perhaps a pair of Tevas or flip-flops.
* Long pants and shorts are fine.
* Conservative sundresses that can be worn with a T-shirt underneath and a lightweight outer layer are great. Skirts can be very comfortable if it is warm.
* One outfit that is fairly nice (like a casual dinner outfit) if you wish.
* We may get a touch of rain so bring a small umbrella and/or a light rain poncho.
* The weather should be similar to that of the Northern California but different seasons.(I was in Malawi in September which was between their winter and spring.) It was warm, sometimes hot, sometimes cool.
* We will be able to go swimming at Lake Malawi. Masankho has identified safe places for us to swim so bring a suit if you like.
Light clothing is essential.
You want to feel comfortable when the temperature rises and when it drops.
A jersey for cool weather and late nights.
Long sleeved shirts and light trousers help keep mosquitoes at bay at night.
Shorts are fine.
Hat
Sun block
Medications
Insect repellant
First aid kit
Reading material
Binoculars
Camera
Electric adapters
Even though everyone worried about getting diarrhea, most of us suffered from constipation! Bring something to deal with this possibility as well.
ALSO:
PLEASE REMEMBER, when we leave Malawi to return home
you need to have $30.00 in U.S. cash to exit the airport.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
