Monday 26 February 2018

Malawi – One Tree at a Time

February 24

Hello everyone!

In a recent blog, I mentioned a growing feeling that I want to give back to Malawi, a country which has given me so many unique and wonderful experiences so far. Many in this country already go above and beyond to improve the lives of Malawians, giving them hope for their future.

Planting trees at Banda Hill School



Our friend Michelle runs a charity called Inspire Malawi, which she established in 2003. Its main aim is to provide a more inspiring learning environment so that children want to – and do – gain a good education.

Click on the link above
to see what Inspire Malawi do

A beautiful setting for a school playground

We spent a morning volunteering by planting trees and hedges at Banda Hill School, just before the large town of Dedza. The school, which currently has a roll of 438, has had help from Inspire Malawi and our own school in the past – the wall displays were created by some of the children I taught last year, who are now in Year 6.

The old school building is that ramshackle hut on the right -
Inspire Malawi have helped build the two new blocks on the left

Each new school block cost between £11,000 and £14,000 in total
Our BMIS volunteering team

They also have a permaculture garden, which is a valuable source of income and diversity at a time when the lack of rain is going to put severe strain on families throughout the coming year. This money is important when you consider that a school is provided 50,000MWK (£50) per term to acquire stationery and books for all pupils.

Children from the local community planting trees

Apparently only 1/5 of the trees will grow - Hannah hopes
'Twiggy' will be successful!

It was heartening to see so many people from the local community being actively involved, making the action sustainable in the longer term. It certainly wasn’t a case of foreigners coming in and dictating what is done. The local chiefs requested certain trees and explained to us where they wanted them planted.

Working together to plant the hedgerow

Over 200 trees were planted in total


After getting our hands dirty, we visited the village of Mlanda, about 20 minutes south of the school. In between two areas we’ve already visited in Dedza and Lizulu, it is a lovely area of Malawi. Situated high above sea level and along the edge of the Great Rift Valley, the contrast between lush greens and stony greys makes for a spectacular sight. The low cloud enveloping the stone, circular houses evoked images of Gorillas in the Mist and Jurassic Park.

Maize crops stand tall at this time of year

Mlanda is about an 80 minute drive from Lilongwe

The low clouds create a mysterious aura

We hiked up a trail to one of the rocks which has some very old rock art on its underside. Michelle told us that UNESCO are yet to document this particular site.

Look closely and you'll see the Sun...

The site is unprotected from human intervention

Climbing on the top of the rock also brought its own rewards.

An incredible view from one of the higher rocks

Taking a well-earned breather

It is amazing to see how a gesture which may seem so small to us, such as planting trees and hedges or painting a classroom, can make such a positive impact. An inspiring morning which made me appreciate how lucky I am and reminded me of the importance of productive volunteering in this part of the world.




Love you all


Matt

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