Recap and Reflecting

Six weeks have come and gone here in Malawi; much faster than I had anticipated. Thinking back over all we have accomplished, I feel satisfied knowing that we successfully aided CPAR Project Officers to more effectively communicate to donors the excellent they have done and continue to do.

Sunrise over Lake Malawi

On one hand, it feels like we left our comfortable homes in Winnipeg ages ago. Saying goodbyes to my family and friends seems like it was almost years ago. Not seeing the people you care about for such an extended amount of time is something I haven’t experienced before, but it is an important step in determining the person I will become in the future.

On another level, I find it hard to fathom that we have been here for six weeks already. So much was packed into that month and a half, I often find myself struggling to remember all the things we have experienced. Eating nsima and chicken in the Group Village Headman’s house on Day 2 is still vivid in my memory, but many of the days in between are hard to recall. I’m sure when we all look through our pictures and notes memories will be evoked and fondly remembered.

After completing the Communications Training Program on Wednesday in Chintheche, we, along with our incredibly patient and amazing driver Vincent, headed back to the capital, Lilongwe. On Thursday we prepared a presentation and answered any questions the Project Officers had about the Communications Program. Friday, our last day at the CPAR office, we presented a short overview of what we had completed, the successes and challenges of the program, as well as our recommendations for any future program. We also presented the water and sanitation video we had created in Chintheche, which we will post on the blog shortly.

Overall, I feel that our short stay in Malawi was very productive and successful in our objectives. The Project Officers now have more skills in photography, article writing, videography, and blogging; effective tools to communicate their ongoing work in rural Malawi. I also feel I have learned a lot about development work in Africa, a new and exciting culture, as well as myself. There have been more than a few experiences which I will never forget and I hope I can communicate to those who have the means to help, how much their support means to people in need of it.