The week after election whilst still awaiting results we had the capping of the new student nurses. I may have said on earlier blogs that Malawi has lots of protocols and this one went out before my time in the UK!
In fact we stopped wearing caps in the mid/late 80s!... The students march in to a lively beat following the tutors all hip swinging, my attempts caused much encouragement and amusement....
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| The service hymns prayers & Lighting of candles. I had been working with these students on their first days/week on wards. |
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| Placing of caps and Epaulettes The service highlight is the placing of caps and epaulette by the lecturers, which is considered a great honour. Natalie another VSO volunteer and my former housemate had never worn a cap so a little direction from the oldie was in order!! This was a lovely way to finish almost two weeks of being shut away (one in the hospital) and for Natalie who was near the end of her placement and Matt a Peace Corps volunteer to finish.....out on a high. Sadly this was quickly followed by a low for me(& Nat & Matt) the election results were finally announced on Friday 30th May 10 days after the election and Malawi was to have a new president. This is what the people wanted. we were told to be vigilant and expect celebrations. The next morning Natalie, Matt and I headed into town and a 11am in broad daylight and close to a police presence I was assaulted in an attempted mugging. The bruise below is still fading three weeks later but thankfully my face is okay body bruises and grazes healed. Another first for me being punched in the nose at 50!! It all happened pretty quickly one minute happily walking to supermarket the next being grabbed, dragged, punched and kicked! Everything you learn about giving up your possessions goes out of the window when adrenalin and injustice kicks in. I have never given up anything without a fight!! But I worry what may have happened had Natalie and Matt not come to my rescue. Matt my hero with his insanity work outs coming into play, even in the middle of this I remember being amazed at his high kicks and Natalie's negotiating before we run. Probably quite a shock for them too as I seem to be very fit at the moment!! Probably the worse part for me was the attitude of one of the police officers...'You look like money ' yet another female police officer at the scene gently picked debris from my hair...... that felt like a kindness. Also the help of fellow volunteers Thank You Sally you were lovely. |
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| Nice Bruise! By the time I had been to hospital etc. Marali and Mairead were on their way. Probably just as well as I would have tried to stop them, so my low was followed the next day by an incredible high Seeing and spending the next three weeks with M & M and it was great. We did not do all I had originally planned but most and it was fab. My two girls had travelled across continents to be with me and I could not be more proud of them! |
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| Us on safari We had an amazing time on safari both scary and thrilling and stayed in the most amazing accommodation. This was a once in a life time experience and exceeded my expectations. Had I not been living here I do not think we would have ever done this certainly not together. So everything happens for a reason. Leaving them at the airport yesterday after typical Malawian issues..'the seats have all gone' was heart wrenching. But we had a great time and I love being their Mummy.I was so relieved when I knew they were safely home today. XX Thank you Judy for the airport runs.. Afro-pop, Nkhoma, support etc and Sally again for the lunches, swimming & understanding. So tomorrow back to work. It will be like starting over. Natalie and Matt gone Crystal gone M & M home. We will see what the next month brings!! |
