feature

Click here for the photo gallery

Pictured: Me and Chitsanzo at Harrogate House

Final Update

Well I'm back in the UK now having left all my new friends at Open Arms on Saturday.

In my last week I spent most of my time down at the home with the kids. It was my birthday on Tuesday and I had the best day, there was no other place in the world I would have wanted to spend my birthday. The ladies sung Happy Birthday to me on a few occasions, at lunch time I was presented with a cake (from Georgie) and was sang to again! Later on in the afternoon I nipped down to Harrogate House and the kids there sang Happy Birthday to me and Chitsanzo presented me with a lovely card from all of them. The kids had obviously been practising the song as Nelipher carried on singing Happy Birthday to me each day after that!

I also got a couple of lovely presents - but the best present I could have asked for was from my mum and dad. I had decided I wanted them to just send money for the home instead of buying a present and when they offered a generous amount it was decided that the money would be used to build a hut outside Harrogate House for the children to play under when it's really sunny and they need to be in the shade. When I left the structure was there and I was told it would be completed in another couple of weeks - so I'll look forward to receiving pictures on its progress and the end result!

On Friday morning I found out that Bright (my fave little guy who I've become too attached to for my own good) had been taken to hospital the night before with a tummy bug. Obviously I was worried about him and went along to the hospital to see him. He looked very pale and tired but I was told he was improving which was good news.

For my last night we went to Doogles, which is a backpacker’s lodge, for a few farewell drinks. It was a nice night and we even managed to stay out until 10:00! A whole hour later than the time we normally retreated to bed each night! The sleeping pattern of early mornings and very early nights set in quite soon after arriving.

On Saturday morning I went to the hospital again to see Bright and say goodbye, he looked a bit better and I was told the doctors said he should be discharged on the Monday. Saying goodbye to him was so unbelievably heartbreaking, it actually hurt especially as I hated the fact I had to leave while he was poorly in hospital. When it came to the time that I had to leave for the airport the ladies all came out to the front of the home and sang a goodbye song to me and all hugged me. It was so lovely but again so very sad to be saying goodbye to all the fantastic people there.

As my plane left Malawi and I got closer and closer to the UK I felt progressively more miserable at the prospect of returning to my old life. I was greeted at Heathrow airport by my mum and dad and obviously I was really happy to see them but after the initial excitement and when I left the airport and looked at the surroundings I was surprised at how strange and foreign it all seemed to me. Having spent my life growing up in the UK and then only spending 6 weeks in a completely different country with very different surroundings you'd think the UK would be the appreciated familiar, instead I resented it and found it quite hard to readjust.

The biggest shock (although it was expected) was the weather! I was SO cold as soon as I got here - compared to the 38 degree heat I had just left, I felt like I'd been put in a giant freezer coming back to a temperature of 8 degrees! When I got back to my flat I found that it didn't feel like home anymore, I felt like I was a guest in somebody else’s house which is really quite unsettling and hopefully it's just a case of having to settle back in as if I've just moved here!

It's my second day back in the UK as I write this and I'm missing the babies and Open Arms in general so much, it makes me weepy every time I think about it and I basically feel like I don't want to be here. If I had the money and the time off I'd be on the next plane back. The time I spent at Open Arms was so amazing and it is such a special place that has really touched my heart. I'll make sure I always keep in touch and help out by fundraising as much as possible - I'm also already planning my next trip back there. I'll start saving my pennies now as I want to go back next year, maybe not for as long because of time off etc but I will definitely make sure I visit as much as I possibly can. Being there with all the staff and the babies was the best experience of my life and one that I will never forget and hope to repeat again on many occasions.


Update Oct 30

Things here have been pretty busy over the past week, hence the delay in updating! On Thursday last week I went with Ruth and Enipher on the Outreach Program. We visited 3 villages in the Chileka area to check on 3 children that had all left Open Arms at least 5 months previously. The first visit was to a boy called Yamikani. He is now living with his Aunt and, despite having just recovered from Malaria, is doing well. The second visit was to a boy called Feston. He had been living with his Grandmother, but she had sadly passed away 2 weeks previous to our visit so we found out that another lady in the village is now caring for him. He seemed well and healthy but the village he lived in had no food at the time so we left them some maize to get them by for a while. It’s quite hard to comprehend not being able to eat for an entire day, I was hungry having just eaten 2 hours previously and felt quite guilty for that. Hopefully things will improve for them.

The last visit of the day was to a girl called Leston who is living in the same village as Enipher (the teacher at Harrogate House). She was very well and had no problems at all, which was great. The village was really nice, we chatted to the village chief’s wife who is a lovely lady and was always laughing! It was great to be able to go along and visit these villages to see how the people live there, and it’s also fantastic that Open Arms has the Outreach Program so that even though the children have gone home, they’re still checked on to make sure they’re ok.

Friday wasn’t very eventful as I’d managed to pick up a bit of a tummy bug from somewhere so spent most of the afternoon in bed! That also meant that I wasn’t well enough to go on the safari that I’d planned for the weekend, which was annoying. It all worked out in the end but I’ll get to that in a bit!

On Saturday Junior (the oldest boy at Harrogate house) went home to his newly built house in his village. He went to live with his grandmother and his brothers and sisters and seemed exciting about going home. We went along with him and said goodbye, his house looked great so I’m so he’ll be just fine.

On Sunday me and Georgie (the other volunteer who I’m living with at the vollies house) went with a couple of British people who are living over here to the Kuche Kuche Music Awards which was held at the local youth centre. It was basically a concert with local bands playing but it was a good and the atmosphere was great! Pretty much all of the locals there were very drunk and dancing along to all the bands! One of the acts we saw was Ben Michaels, he was described to me by the British people we were with as the Malawian Robbie Williams (in popularity stakes) and he was really good, he also got a bit mobbed by everyone when he came off stage so he must be pretty famous!

Another act we saw was a friend of the people we were with called Ken Gilmore. He released a DVD over here which did really well and I think the locals like him because his songs are a bit of a laugh, although he did seem to take himself quite seriously! If Ben Michaels is the Malawian Robbie Williams then I would describe Ken Gilmore as the Malawian Chico! I’m sure that explains a lot!

On Monday and Tuesday me and Georgie went to a local school / feeding station in Ndirande called Mrs Maxwells house, obviously run by Mrs Maxwell! We were there to paint pictures on the wall to brighten it up for the kids that go there. We did the best job we could as neither of us are artists, but it was a lot of fun! The kids were there one of the days and we were treated to a few ’introductions’, basically you point at one of the children and say introduction and they stand up and introduce themselves. We were also treated to a very loud and enthusiastic rendition of the months of the year.

We also had another new arrival last week, a 7 month old boy called Aaron. He seems well although is malnourished so we’re feeding him up and he is putting on weight which is great.

On Friday I finally managed to get on my safari, at last! I only went for the day to Liwonde National Park but it was well worth it. I did a boat safari and saw so much in the 2 hours such as elephants that were in the water very close to the boat, hippos, crocodiles and monkeys. I had lunch at Mvuu Camp which was lovely and also had a look around their lodges which looked amazing, I would love to stay in one of them one day.

On Friday evening we stayed down at the home and had dinner with the ladies which is when I tried the local food, nsima. Nsima is white maize and all the locals here eat it so I thought I’d give it a go. It’s served with a relish and you pick a bit of it up, roll it into a ball in your hand, make a dent in the middle with your thumb and scoop up some relish then eat it... personally I thought it was gross but each to their own! It wasn’t really nasty but just has the weirdest consistency and is very bland. It does fill you up quickly though but feels like it’s sitting in your stomach like lead! I’m glad I tried it though, but I think it’s safe to say I wont be eating it regularly!

Saturday was also a big day, we went to Mount Mulanje and climbed up for about an hour to a beautiful waterfall. The climb was pretty tough going (for us anyway as we’re not that fit!) and when we came to the waterfall we had to cross some pretty huge rocks to get there and me being me fell in the water and had to be fished out by our guide George! Luckily he had hold of my hand at the time so I didn’t go under, it was quite funny though! The walk back down was easier but we were well and truly knackered by the end of the day, my legs have been aching since!

On Sunday we were invited by Gertrude (one of the ladies working at Open
Arms) to go with her to church in the morning and have lunch with her at her home afterwards. She lives in Ndirande so we met her in the morning, caught a minibus to church and then walked to her house. I was quite scared about the prospect of getting on a minibus as having watched them driving around I’d come to the conclusion that they’re quite scary! They cram so many people on these small buses but we faced our fear and did it, it wasn’t too scary after all but all the same I was relieved when we got off! Gertrude’s house was really nice and she made us feel so welcome, the lunch was lovely also.

That brings me up to date really! I only have 5 days left now until I leave and the more I think about it the more I want to stay. It will be very hard to leave this place and I’ll miss everyone a lot, especially the babies. It will be a good week though; it’s my birthday tomorrow so we’ll be going out in the evening for dinner which will be nice.

So I guess my next update will be my last! Until then... tionana! (see you later!)

Update Oct 18

We had a new arrival yesterday, a little boy called Chisomo. He is just under 1 month old, weighs only 3.3lbs and is without a doubt the smallest little person I have ever seen. He is well and healthy but is just very small and frail so it was quite a shock to the system seeing him for the first time. It will be great to watch him growing over the next couple of weeks.

Tomorrow I should get to go with a matron or supervisor on the outreach programe. I’m not sure where it is we’ll be going yet or who we’ll be visiting but I’m looking forward to seeing one of the villages and how they live there.

One of the babies, Victor, was taken to hospital yesterday as he had a very high temperature and sickness. We’re still awaiting news on what is actually wrong with him but apparently he might be discharged tomorrow which is good news.

I’m still discovering new noises to get used to here! Just last night I heard the loudest frog / toad noise I’ve ever heard! I was told it was a frog or toad that would have been hiding somewhere in the water and some are as big as turtles! Speaking of animals, I’ve actually gotten used to the cockroaches now! They seem to come out in the house when it’s dark and are pretty huge! I don’t do well with creepy crawlies but there are so many of them around here that I can handle their prescence now - plus the super strength, super fast insect killer works a treat on the roaches!!

Update Oct 13

Well I’m almost at my half way mark now; I will have been here for 3 weeks tomorrow and I can safely say I’ve settled in here really well and am still loving every minute.

There are some things that take some getting used to, obviously the culture and surroundings but also the noises, especially at night. Seeing as we’re up early each morning for the babies’ breakfasts it’s generally always early to bed - for us anyway! Whilst lying in bed under the mozzie net there are all sorts of sounds to take in, various insects, dogs barking, the occasional car horn, the ladies down at the home outside talking but the best would be the music that can be heard from some mysterious place down in the town below. In my mind this place is filled with Malawians partying the night away to the loud music that seems to come from the same direction every day. It is mostly African music but sometimes some chart music from the UK as well, not much though although I was treated (or not treated as the case may be) to a Westlife number one night, which to be honest is the only time I wished for the music off, understandably! It’s strange that at home in the comfort of your own bed, loud music being played into the night would have you pulling your hair out but here it’s great, it adds to the atmosphere.

Things are still well with the babies, at the moment only 1 baby is in hospital - 3 have come out within the last week and all getting better which is great.

I should be getting out and about a bit within the next couple of weeks. I have just booked a safari for next weekend to Liwonde National Park so that should be great. I have to catch a local bus from here to Liwonde town which should be an experience, I’ve yet to try out the local transport! I’m also planning a couple of short trips, one to the lake and the other to Mount Mulanje. Mount Mulanje is said by some to be the nicest place in Malawi so I’ll look forward to that!

So until next time.......

Update Oct 7

The past couple of days have been fantastic. Yesterday a little girl called Vallela who has been very poorly in hospital for over a week, came back to the orphanage looking so much better and smiling and laughing like her old self. We were all really pleased to see her as it didn’t look good for her for a while. Also yesterday we had a new arrival, a little girl called Esmie. She is only just a week old today and is here at Open Arms because her mother died during the birth. She’s a lovely little girl though and looks well and healthy which is great.

Today has also been good as another little girl who has been in hospital for a while came back. Maggie went into hospital quite poorly and developed pneumonia but is now doing much better. The ladies here will have to keep an eye on her for a couple of days but she looks well which is great. I was very pleased to see her earlier today as she’s actually my fave girl here!


Update Oct 5

A lot has been happening here over the past week. A few of the babies have been poorly and so were in and out of hospital. One little girl was very poorly and has been in hospital for over a week now but we’re told she may be able to come back to Open Arms on Tuesday or Friday next week, which is great news! I’m still battling with the bugs here but getting used to them, kind of!

I’m hoping to get out and about some time soon and go on a Safari but will update as and when that happens! Apart from the few poorly babies they’re all doing well, one girl went home today to her village with her Aunt which is great news. She was sent with a care package from Open Arms with essentials for her such as a mozzie net, plate and clothes.

Also, a few of the older boys have been moved down to Harrogate House (which is the school on the grounds for children ages 2 to 5) so they’ve been settling in, they’re quiet down there as they’re now the youngest and not the oldest like they were up at the orpanage! They’re doing well though which is great.

Update: Sept 27

I arrived at Open Arms on Saturday 23rd September. Having spent the past few days meeting all the staff and babies I feel quite settled here and know already that I will thoroughly enjoy the six weeks I’ll be spending here.

At present, Open Arms is caring for 38 babies so there are alot of names to learn! I’m getting there though so I’m sure in a week or so I’ll be much better at knowing who’s who. Some are such characters that you can’t help but spot them first over the others, but each and every one of them are amazing in their own way.

The ladies who work here permanently caring for the babies (they are called the mothers) are also fantastic. They work long tiring shifts and genuinely seem to do the job because they care. The routine here is great. At 7:00am the babies have their breakfast, which is always lively to say the least. Their lunch is at 12 and dinner at 4:30/5:00pm, dinner is normally quieter as the babies are getting ready to go to bed! Although I know it’s bad, I have a few favourites already, but that can’t be helped.

From what I’ve seen so far of Malawi it seems, although a very poor country, to be a lovely country and the people are very friendly and welcoming, I can see why some refer to it as ’the warm heart of Africa’. I hope to to be able to explore more of the country during my stay and have been told I should get the chance to accompany Mrs Phiri (the Matron) when she visits some of the local villages as part of the Outreach Programme, which is when children that were previously at Open Arms and have gone back to live with family in the villages are checked up on to ensure they are ok and in good health. With 5 1/2 weeks left I’m sure I will experience many new and amazing things. Keep checking this page over the next few weeks for updates!


May 2006

As I sit here writing, in my one bedroom flat in Essex, I’m mentally counting down the months until I leave for Africa; to embark on a trip that will no doubt open my eyes, broaden my mind and provide possibly the best life experience I may ever gain.  In six months time I will have arrived in Blantyre, Malawi at the Open Arms Infant Home where I will be volunteering for six weeks.

Open Arms is a home for orphaned and abandoned babies. Here they receive care until they are well enough to either return to their extended families or be moved on to a phase three home in the local community; where they will stay with foster parents. The approximate number of orphaned children in Malawi is a staggering 1000,000, many will have lost their mothers due to AIDS related illnesses. Malawi is one of the world poorest countries with more than 65% of the population currently living below the poverty line.

This will be my first volunteering experience so I really have no idea what to expect. I’ve pondered over many questions since arranging the trip; “How will I react to such different surroundings and situations?”, “Will it effect the way I think, and more importantly will it change my life?” , and not forgetting a different kind of, but still ever important, question; one which has plagued my thoughts on many occasions……. “How fast will I be able to run away if I happen to encounter a huge spider?”!!!  I do have a certain degree of anxiety about the trip, such as the heat and more importantly malaria. I don’t get on so well with extreme heat (although I’m told Blantyre does not suffer too badly from this), and for some reason Mosquito’s seem to LOVE me, a recent holiday to Egypt confirmed both of these. Malaria is highly prevalent all over Malawi, so keeping the mozzies away will be a challenge and a half, but an extremely important one; malaria isn’t exactly the sort of souvenir I wanted to bring back with me.

Despite these anxieties, I have heard nothing but nice things about Malawi as a country. Often referred to as ‘The Warm Heart of Africa’ it is said to be a truly beautiful country inhabited by some of the most genuinely friendly people you’ll have the good fortune to meet.

Overall I am really looking forward to spending time in Malawi, it’s an exciting journey to embark on, and most importantly; whatever I encounter it will make for an amazing life experience that I’m sure I will never forget.


www.openarmsmalawi.org
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/malawi.html 

By Fiona Comley, MyVillage, 13th September