Loading...
Start a new Travel Blog! Blogabond Home Maps People Photos My Stuff

DABW and the Village

Blantyre, Malawi



Given my minamalistic outlook on life, one where I have little concern for many of the materialistic possessions many are preoccupied with, it was a welcome relief going back to Kenyatta - the village where my late Gran's charity is based. What was even more rewarding was taking Matt there for the first time, an experience I know he will never forget.

The charity, DABW, was founded over two years ago now and is aimed at community development with in the small village my Gran's nurse (Otillia) comes from. What started as a donation to build a fresh-water well, something the village had lacked in its previous 187 years of existence, has rapidly advanced into the village being granted the electricity they needed to build a corn mill and medical centre.

With this being my second visit, having spent a few days there last year to see where the £7000 I raised was going, I knew what to expect - or at least I thought I did. As we drove down the dusty track, seeing all the innocent smiling faces of children who literally have nothing, the emotions I had experienced a year before came flooding back. Coupled with this being a place I feel my Gran's precence more so than usual it was an emotional return, but a return I was glad to be making.

Matt and my arrival coincided with the start of the work on the corn mill, and there wasn't much time to settle in before we were both armed with pick-axes and spades and set to work on digging the trenches - although Harry (Otillia's brother) was mortified at seeing the blisters on our hands, after all we were his guests and he thought we should rather have been relaxing.

Despite his protests day two was another long slog with the spades as the trenches began to take shape, and Matt and I felt a great deal of satisfaction at being part of the village's development. In Harry's words we "were making history" by starting the process of turning the village into what will eventually become a small town. To know we are giving these people a better standard of life, and a better future is hugely rewarding and I look forward to continuing our families efforts there.

Of course the time we spent there would not have been the same without the constant interaction with the village's children, all of whom struck their own chord in my heart. However, there were two boys, Chikunt and Miaso, who Matt and I became very close with, to the extent that the moment we stepped out of Otillia's house in the mornings they were there waiting for us everyday.

Our love for them started on the first day when we took a break from digging to turn and see the boys, both aged five, with hoes in their hands and beaming smiles on their faces mimmicking the work we were doing. It may sound funny but that action alone made me realise how strong the community bond is here, with everyone playing their own significant part, no matter how big or small, something that is severly lacking in many parts of the Western world.

The time we spent in the village would not have been possible without the love and hospitality of Amama (Harry and Otillia's Mum), who went above and beyond to ensure our stay was as enjoyable as possible. In her eighties she is an incredible women who not only has three orphans living with her but is always there for all of the village's children. She cooked several feasts for Matt and myself that were fit for royalty, and all of this on a coal fire. Like I say she is a remarkable women, and I thank her profusely for the love she showed us.

It was with a great deal of sadness that we left the village, although there is every chance I will be back their in October for the opening of the corn mill - and from what I hear it will be quite a party. Harry's words were "a few goats will lose their lives that day", and given my love for both goat meat and the village it would be a shame to miss such a historic occassion.


permalink written by  MarcusInAfrica on August 11, 2009 from Blantyre, Malawi
from the travel blog: Cape to Cardiff
Send a Compliment



I am sitting in the UK reading your blog about the village and it made me cry - cry for the loss of Gigs - for missing both my amazing sons and also for the legacy that Gigs left and us as her family carry on with. She would be so proud to see you working in the trenches, playing with the children and as Harry say's - making history.
Dad and I along with Richard will be there for the grand hand-over and celebration of the Corn Mill in October - We cant wait.
Oh - and by the way - you look a whole lot better without the beard - love you to the moon and back - Mum xxxx


permalink written by  Jayne Leach on August 11, 2009


I am sitting in the UK reading your blog about the village and it made me cry - cry for the loss of Gigs - for missing both my amazing sons and also for the legacy that Gigs left and us as her family carry on with. She would be so proud to see you working in the trenches, playing with the children and as Harry say's - making history.
Dad and I along with Richard will be there for the grand hand-over and celebration of the Corn Mill in October - We cant wait.
Oh - and by the way - you look a whole lot better without the beard - love you to the moon and back - Mum xxxx


permalink written by  Jayne Leach on August 11, 2009


We admire the great work you are doing to help the locals. Stay well and safe.
Your neighbours at Bramber Court


permalink written by  Diana Henning on August 12, 2009


Legends! Good work lads :-)
Now go & climb some mountains...


permalink written by  johnnoble on August 18, 2009

comment on this...
Previous: A Birthday to Remember in Malawi Next: Standing on top of Africa

trip feed
author feed
trip kml
author kml

   

Blogabond v2.40.58.80 © 2024 Expat Software Consulting Services about : press : rss : privacy
View as Map View as Satellite Imagery View as Map with Satellite Imagery Show/Hide Info Labels Zoom Out Zoom In Zoom Out Zoom In
find city: