One would think I would be used to this
by now but gtting used to the africa time again, has been one of the
hardest parts of my stay as of now. Of course the change of pace of
city life vs the bay side life has been incredibly wonderful. I can
step out of dorm each morning usually by 5am as the sun is blasting
heat and light, do yoga in a sweaty haze, meditate to the white noise
as wave splash pon the rocks at my side...and this is all so
heavenly. But when I step out of the zen state and try to do the
hands on work for a community center, school, etc, I find that time
takes a toll on my soul. Here I do not create my own program and thus
must work along side programs which have already started. In fact
this can be great as the Malawians are used to having interaction and
partipatory events and thus more can be achieved. I guess what it
really comes down to is the actual hump of getting there. I have been
waiting and waiting for projects to do and there is so much to be
done yet getting in there has been a great challenge.
I helped finish the beginnings of the
community radio station which is currently in phase two where they
are putting electrical wiring in and also doing some cleanup on the
space with building of infrasctructure. The group is also holding
classes to train people in sound technology and musical
appropriation. This is fantastic yet I know I will not be here to see
its fruit until probably 2012 arrives. Slowly slowly.
Recently I have gotten involved with
the nursery school which had been protesting when I arrived on the
fact that we (butterfly space) were trying to remove sugar and salt
from the porridge served each day for health issues. The typical day
of 40+ children was now reduced to 10 and we were in a crisis of
power. The mothers saw the move as a stingy means of saving money,
while we actually ended up spending more on the bananas we
substituted. Eventually, a meeting was held and we had to back down
on the decision and comprimise on reduced amounts. In Africa sugars
are considered an essential part of diet and no explanation of our
own cultural views would have changed their minds. The biggest result
is that everyone had to put the childrens needs of education first
and therefore the mothers were happy when we decided to keep the menu
as before. I work in the classrooms painting the cement floors with
bright circles in order to create stations that are used for learning
stations. When you have 25 students, 1 small classroom and 1 teacher,
it is essential for the students to do individual learning without
support of Mzungu (white people) volunteers, or one on one time with
teachers. We hope this will allow personal growth and dicipline as
well...who knew colorful circles on the floor could be so useful! I
worked saturday and sunday on this project only to return later and
find red foot prints all over the class...I should have stood guard
while it dried, this being typical for an unlocked open air classroom
I guess.
Partying in Malawi has also been one of
my favorite memories thus far. Being in this wonderful Butterfly
Space community has really made me feel at home. We work like a
cooperative house often doing projects together, volunteering
locally, getting involved with project planning and group brain
storming, shared meals, and of course all night dance parties. There
is a wonderful routine here where when one of the family leaves to
their homeland, we will have a going away bash. My first experience
was a few weeks ago when a dj mate here was leaving to England. The
party insued with incredibly maddness of dancing, singing, emotional
speeches, hugs, huge cuddle puddles in the middle of the dance floor,
and laughing to the point where I lost my voice for a few days.Having
made a travel Hula Hoop, I brought that to the party which
surprizingly got used for at leat 3 hours through the night by the
randoms who walked in and the butterfly crew. We even played games
with it and I loved most that people were never embarrassed by
failure but tried continually. There is a certain air of comfort that
is present here at Butterfly but specifically in Africa which is like
a free bird just learning to fly its wings, like a mother bird whoh
will take care of you in case you fall. This family shines with that
type of support, what a blessing.... Being that I was one of the only
sober folk in the room, I was also able to sit back and watch the
show all night long until the wee morning hours. A group of us stayed
until sunrise which was my first experience in Nkata Bay. We are so
lucky to be here. Perched pon the rocks we watched at 430 AM as the
sun spoke its vows of morning bliss as we laughed loved and meditated
to the waves and the rays. By half 5, people were ready to pass
out....I, unfortunately had work to do.
I had been planning to teach the Hot
Box cooking meathod to the HIV/Aids, Widows group, and Kitchen staff
here but it had been delayed twice. So they chose the saturday after
our big party to meet at 11am. Not so early except I had planned to
present Hot Boxed Beans as well as rice and veggies. So at 530AM I
gathered supplies and wood and with the help of the night guard and
bar tender, I started cooking beans galore. Man oh man is it hard to
function with tired eyes being sprayed with blasts of smoke and
having danced all night my body was not cooperating. But eventually
the fire caught and by 630 AM the beans were boiling and ready for
the Hot Box. I passed out and woke again at 11AM. Our group met
together and I showed them hands on how to Hot Box the rice while the
chef made us our veggies. When the time came, I opened the Hot Boxes
and they all leaned close with their skeptical eyes and in their
local tounge said something to the effect of “oh my god, it works”
They all clapped and I got those shivery feelings again of
satisfaction as I hoped they would use the technique not only for the
sake of their time, but for the reduction of the use of mother
earth's trees. After 3 days of fire assistance though, I have finally
become independent and can official gather my own wood, make my own
fire and cook an entire meal sustainably, locally, and satifyingly!
On mondays the first half of my day is
filled with a gathering of youth with special needs. There are a few
who are diagnosed but the rest just seem to struggle walking,
talking, thinking etc. 2 can't even walk and 1 has a wheel chair that
I can't see how it even works on these unpathed roads but somehow
they manage. They all gather to get support from one another
emotionally and educationally. They are smiling constantly and I am
soo impressed by what they can actuallly handle each day. Many of
them I believe are in a position where they have never really been
listened to. They have much to say, but can't vocalize it. But you
can crack a joke and they squint with laughter. They are also so
special because they maintain no boundary. When they feel something
they show it. No shame. Its empowering to see this no holds bar
ability they have and its quite a lesson to see how they all treat
one another with such kind patient behavior.
Today we taught them about time and
things you do throughout the morning, noon, evening etc. We made
clocks and did work on times of the day. I worked with a little girl,
Chrisitina who is around 5yrs. I believe she has severe lordosis and
has trouble physically. But she is so young that she can probably
reverse or alleviate it with appropriate stretching. I think this was
the first time I really felt so inspired to use my Massage
background. I spoke to the director about possibly becoming trained
on specific areas like cerebral pasly which is a major issue linked
with malaria maltreatment here. She assured me that if someone were
willing to do home visits weekly, they would find willing parents who
would love to have their children get physical support for their
unique issues,,,the wheels in my head are turning.
So after time work, I took them out and
we did yoga. They pretty much giggled the entire time which then
turned in to laughter yoga as I couldn't maintain a straight face.
They absolutely loved it and it was simple quick and effective in
getting some of them moving. After a short lunch, they all worked
together to make banana milk shakes with a splash of sugar, powder
milk, banana, and water. This just enclosed the wonderfully unique
chance the kids get to feel spoiled when they would otherwise have
been forgotten in a society which doesn't quite know what can be done
with them. They can even hula hoop with their own unique style! I am soo proud of Butterfly Space.
I have a few more weeks left here but
just got the news that I will be headed back just before christmas. A
local business has hired me on a work trade position to return for
the party planning and bar tending experience for the high season
during the holidays. I needed a reason to return to Malawi and why
the heck not for an experience of fun and entertainment. I will also
work to create a special holiday volunteer program for the kids here,
maybe a movie night or dance party for the local schools. YAY for the
holiday celebrations.
As for me, I have found my favorite
country so far. Although I am sure its biased seeing how the whole
trip is culminated by my being here in Nkata Bay. The small township
is respectful and welcoming to locals on top of having a great
shorline to swim on each day. At night one has the chance to sit pon
the shore and watch the twinkling lights from the lake coming from
the night fisherman who have their lanterns perched atop of their dug
out canoes (hence the term, lake of stars). The rasta culture is
quite fascinating and I am surprizingly happy to find true Rasta
culture where most are vegan and are very artisitc. They see me with
my shining stripes and can't wait to strike up a conversation.
Although I have learned that when I am in a rush, I have to hide all
my rasta catour(sp?)But the great thing is, the community sees Rastas
here as peace makers, and my colors as peace colors which is quite
refreshing. I have made friends with a local vegan resturant (really
a beach shack) owner named Rasta Mike. I am painting him a sign in
trade for a few meals of rice beans, and traditional veggies in
ground nut sauce.
Besides the occasional annoying factors
like the huge petrol crisis in this land locked country and the black
market fuel we have to purchase to drive for one hour to the city,
and the immigration officer with his cheeky grin as he asked for a
bribe which I refused, I am loving it here.I feel like I can return
to this place over and over again and will most likely try to plant
my foot here for a few years at least...things can change I know, but
its one of those things you just have a good feeling about. The local
barman, and outstanding business student and I have been scheming biz
ideas and last night we settled on a possible proposal for the first
ever lounge. Tanzi (health) Lounge with unique herbal teas, japanese
style seating, cyber internet access and private space for biz
meetings and work space...there is no where like it and I actually
have faith in its potential. Anyway this all being an exciting
feeling in my gut chakra while meditating on the “warm heart of
africa”...
to Malawi anyone?
