Bittersweet Times

July 8, 2011 – Patricia Kelly

Last night we gave the teachers in all three schools a Celebration Dinner at Malawi Institute of Education dining hall. Just as we were getting ready to start, the electricity went out and stayed off all evening. MIE couldn’t turn on the generators because there is no fuel. So a few candles were brought out, but not enough to be able to really see anyone. We served fried chicken, rice with a wonderful tomato sauce, and greens with onions and tomatoes. It was the best meal that MIE has ever made us. Of course, we had introductions of all three schools’ staff with many cheers. Our group ended the evening singing the two songs Innocent had written for us. The crowd cheered as we sang. They obviously enjoyed the sentiments we were singing in Chichewa.

Today Domasi Government School gave us a farewell party. They had a sound system and one teacher serving as DJ. We danced and danced. They presented all of us with dresses, which we put on in an adjoining room and returned dancing all the way so the teachers could see them. The good-bye speeches were sometimes difficult to get out because of tears. It’s been a busy three and a half weeks; students have worked hard, but it’s still sad to say good-bye to some relationships that may never be renewed again. Through their tears alll students talked about how much they learned and how good everyone had been to them.

We announced the hen laying project that will help the school generate some income as well as make their agriculture curriculum practical. A chicken coop is on the school premises but has been abandoned for 20 years. The project is a collaboration among the Virginia Tech students, the school and its teachers, the PTA, and MIE. I’m really pleased that it’s finally off the ground because it’s something I’ve talked with them about for four years. Now we’ll see how they perform. They’re to send regular reports. I’ll be able to check on the project next summer and look forward to taking pictures of a successful project.