THE CONCLUSION
This study abroad program was much more than a school trip. It was a life changing experience. After this trip I can honestly say that I do see things differently. I appreciate everything I have way more than I ever did and one day I really hope to make a difference in somebody’s life that is less fortunate. I value my education regardless of how much debt I’m going to be in when I graduate because at least I can go; I value the running water I have to brush my teeth with because I know that it’s clean; I value the health care my family can afford because I know that if one of us gets sick there is a hospital to take them; although I’ve lived in an apartment my whole life in a city area where some people look down at I know I value the heat that comes on, the lights that shuts on, and the electricity that turns my stove on. People just remember that the things you complain about daily are in no way in comparison to some people’s situation in other parts of the world. I will forever remember all the kids who can’t go to school but have to work, the 365 orphans who lost their parents due to AIDS, the students who only go to school when it’s child feeding day because they are so hungry, the little girls climbing down a mountain barefoot with sticks on their heads. Out of all the lives there are in this world, I was blessed with mine and I am grateful for everything in it. I will always remember the friends I made and the students I taught in Malawi. <3
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Day TWENTY NINE - Going Home
Day TWENTY NINE – July 15, 2010
Today we went into town to buy last minute souvenirs before we got on our flight. All of us felt like pros when bargaining with the vendors because we did it so much at the market in Zomba; some of us even helped other visitors that were from Europe with bargaining with the vendors because we didn’t want them to get tricked for their money.
I was very excited to get home, but I felt the complete opposite about getting on the plane. Traveling from Africa to the United States is just entirely too long. The first flight is shorter so I did well on that one, but the second flight from Ethiopia to the United States really got to me and I had a middle seat.
We traveled the whole day and got to the United States the following morning. I have never been so happy to the US in my life.
Today we went into town to buy last minute souvenirs before we got on our flight. All of us felt like pros when bargaining with the vendors because we did it so much at the market in Zomba; some of us even helped other visitors that were from Europe with bargaining with the vendors because we didn’t want them to get tricked for their money.
I was very excited to get home, but I felt the complete opposite about getting on the plane. Traveling from Africa to the United States is just entirely too long. The first flight is shorter so I did well on that one, but the second flight from Ethiopia to the United States really got to me and I had a middle seat.
We traveled the whole day and got to the United States the following morning. I have never been so happy to the US in my life.
DAY TWENTY EIGHT - Malawi History
Day TWENTY EIGHT - July 14, 2010
Today we checked out of Club Mackokola after having a very nice breakfast.
On our way back to the capitol city we stopped at nice little museum that taught us all bout the three cultures in Malawi which are Chichewa, Yao, and Ngoni. It was really interesting, but parts of me felt that it would have been a lot more useful to have gone to this museum on the way to Zomba at the bginning of the trip rather than the last few days before we leave.
After the museum, we continued on to Lilongwe to stay at Annie’s Lodge again.
Today we checked out of Club Mackokola after having a very nice breakfast.
On our way back to the capitol city we stopped at nice little museum that taught us all bout the three cultures in Malawi which are Chichewa, Yao, and Ngoni. It was really interesting, but parts of me felt that it would have been a lot more useful to have gone to this museum on the way to Zomba at the bginning of the trip rather than the last few days before we leave.
After the museum, we continued on to Lilongwe to stay at Annie’s Lodge again.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Day TWENTY SEVEN - Club Mackokola
Day TWENTY SEVEN – July 13, 2010
Club Mackokola! This place is beautiful! The best place we been to in Malawi. It had a nice beach, pool, bar, and nice rooms; and I must say the shower was great!
Unfortunately, nobody else brought their bathing suits, but me so I wore it but didn’t go swimming because it was going to be real boring by myself. But I did enjoy wearing it because it was real hot. We all got to relax on the beach and just think about days in Malawi and how it really is coming to an end.
We had a candle lit dinner outside and it was tradition night so they had all the women servers dressed up in the full Malawian attire. We also had performers after dinner.
It was a pretty relaxed day.
Club Mackokola! This place is beautiful! The best place we been to in Malawi. It had a nice beach, pool, bar, and nice rooms; and I must say the shower was great!
Unfortunately, nobody else brought their bathing suits, but me so I wore it but didn’t go swimming because it was going to be real boring by myself. But I did enjoy wearing it because it was real hot. We all got to relax on the beach and just think about days in Malawi and how it really is coming to an end.
We had a candle lit dinner outside and it was tradition night so they had all the women servers dressed up in the full Malawian attire. We also had performers after dinner.
It was a pretty relaxed day.
Day TWENTY SIX - Last Day of School
Day TWENTY SIX – July 12, 2010
Today was one of the saddest. It was our last day of school. The day started off with our usual tea break and Chipo was so happy to see us wearing the skirts she got us. Danielle, her, Dr. Barber and I all matched. We also got to give our teachers their gifts; we got Chipo some pretty fabric and Gift a really nice notebook and Danielle also gave them a radio and cassettes of her reading the English books she gave them so that way the students can read along and reinforce their English. Dr. Barber also gave us a huge bag of tooth brushes that we got to give each student in our class.
In class, Danielle and I did a mini review quiz on everything we taught them and if they got the question right Danielle gave them a rice crispy treat. After that the school put on a performance for Danielle, Dr. Barber, Tom, and I. It was so great! I felt like a proud mom whenever I saw one of my students in the performance. I didn’t realize that some of them liked to dance so much, especially this one student named Ishmael. I really enjoyed the whole thing and a touch of sadness came over me when I realized that I’m never going to see any of them again.
After the show, the teachers had us stand up and they put the clothes they had made for us on us. It was so sweet of them and it really surprised me. I really loved the fabric.
After the whole thing was over we took class pictures and then we took a bunch of pictures with our students. When it was all done and we had to wave goodbye to them our tears got the best of us and Chipo had to hug both of us and try to get us to stop crying. I was surprised by how close I’ve gotten to some of them and I’m going to really miss them.
We all walked to M.I.E. to see the rest of our group. Apparently all the schools decided to make us outfits because Radford University students and Virginia Tech students all had on Malawian dresses. I liked how the 3 different universities had their own different color outfits.
So we all sat around for hours until it got real late for the big dinner that was going to be held at M.I.E. All the teachers came from 4 different schools we worked with this past month. We had dinner and then we introduce everyone and then our group sang them a song that one of the teachers taught us. The whole thing was in Chichewa and it was about saying goodbye and I’ll see you soon again. All the teachers really enjoyed it especially since it was in Chichewa. I got to meet Chipo’s older daughter who is the same age as me. I wish Gift could have been there but he was gone for three weeks because he has to help mark the standard 8 exams.
This day was bitter, sweet. I’m happy that we had a nice day, but I’m sad because this is the last day I will ever see any of these people.
Today was one of the saddest. It was our last day of school. The day started off with our usual tea break and Chipo was so happy to see us wearing the skirts she got us. Danielle, her, Dr. Barber and I all matched. We also got to give our teachers their gifts; we got Chipo some pretty fabric and Gift a really nice notebook and Danielle also gave them a radio and cassettes of her reading the English books she gave them so that way the students can read along and reinforce their English. Dr. Barber also gave us a huge bag of tooth brushes that we got to give each student in our class.
In class, Danielle and I did a mini review quiz on everything we taught them and if they got the question right Danielle gave them a rice crispy treat. After that the school put on a performance for Danielle, Dr. Barber, Tom, and I. It was so great! I felt like a proud mom whenever I saw one of my students in the performance. I didn’t realize that some of them liked to dance so much, especially this one student named Ishmael. I really enjoyed the whole thing and a touch of sadness came over me when I realized that I’m never going to see any of them again.
After the show, the teachers had us stand up and they put the clothes they had made for us on us. It was so sweet of them and it really surprised me. I really loved the fabric.
After the whole thing was over we took class pictures and then we took a bunch of pictures with our students. When it was all done and we had to wave goodbye to them our tears got the best of us and Chipo had to hug both of us and try to get us to stop crying. I was surprised by how close I’ve gotten to some of them and I’m going to really miss them.
We all walked to M.I.E. to see the rest of our group. Apparently all the schools decided to make us outfits because Radford University students and Virginia Tech students all had on Malawian dresses. I liked how the 3 different universities had their own different color outfits.
So we all sat around for hours until it got real late for the big dinner that was going to be held at M.I.E. All the teachers came from 4 different schools we worked with this past month. We had dinner and then we introduce everyone and then our group sang them a song that one of the teachers taught us. The whole thing was in Chichewa and it was about saying goodbye and I’ll see you soon again. All the teachers really enjoyed it especially since it was in Chichewa. I got to meet Chipo’s older daughter who is the same age as me. I wish Gift could have been there but he was gone for three weeks because he has to help mark the standard 8 exams.
This day was bitter, sweet. I’m happy that we had a nice day, but I’m sad because this is the last day I will ever see any of these people.
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