3. October 2026

It's Been Too Long

I know. I put my hands up. It's now been almost three weeks since I last posted a blog entry.

How do I explain my absence? Well, perhaps I just don't. Let's just say the last couple of weeks have been busy and in many ways the most challenging I have faced since arriving six months ago and have led me to coin the phrase 'suffering from Malawi overwhelm'!

Any further explanation would take up too many pages but with only a month left in the country, I wonder at the timing of these challenges; they will certainly help me value some of the certainties and comforts of home.

Everywhere You Go, Always Take the Weather with You...

Obviously the universe is preparing me for my return to autumnal Britain, as the weather here is unseasonably cool and stormy. I even had to put on a hoodie this morning - it was slightly musty having been safely stowed in my case since April! I've been laughing at my friends for complaining of the cold for the last few days but today even I, usually the person overheating and fanning myself, had to succumb to another layer. The forecast looks brighter from tomorrow, I'm pleased to say.

School's Back

The term is now in full swing and the students are (mostly) working hard. I've been entrusted with Forms 2 and 4 (both take national exams next July) until I leave so I'm hoping to do justice to the responsibility. After the school achieved a high pass rate in the national exams this year, there has been a significant intake of new students; my Form 4 class has 37 of them! This has meant that I have had to be much tougher with discipline (and those of you who know me, know that I'm a bit of a softy...) but I think they're getting the message now that they shouldn't mess with Miss B!

As part of the student sponsorship programme, there is now an option to provide uniform and stationery supplies for needy students, so there have been several trips to town to fulfil this promise on behalf of some of the sponsors. Several trips to stationery shops, and to the market for material, visits to the tailor, and the purchase of school shoes (obviously with the relevant students)...all have added to the rushing about over the past couple of weeks. Thank goodness I've had my own transport!

With a Little Help from My Friends

So, the much anticipated arrival of my friend, Phill, happened on Monday. After a wonderfully coordinated effort from friends and family, he came bearing stacks of resources; some having been donated direct, some he'd purchased with generous cash donations. There are branded t-shirts for teachers, school shoes and football boots for the primary school, books and football programmes for the school library, and educational resources for the special needs unit at Nkhotakota Primary School, where I will revisit the children with albinism with Phill. There are more supplies for the albino community - lots of hats and sun cream. There are shoes and football shirts for anyone we meet along the way and lots and lots of reading glasses, most of which I'll take down to my contact in Mangochi at the end of my stay, as I know how much of a difference they have made to communities down there.

Thank you so much to everyone back in the UK who contributed to the plea for donations and thanks to the friends who came out to Malawi ahead of him and made space in their luggage. Everyone's efforts and generosity are greatly appreciated.

The Pumps Are Dry

Unfortunately, there is a terrible fuel crisis in Malawi at the moment. ALL the fuel pumps across the country appear to be empty, so this is causing havoc with Phill's itinerary. Another of those 'Malawi overwhelm' situations. He's stranded, fueless down in Monkey Bay at the moment, so we're keeping everything crossed that the situation changes within the next few days.

Just Sew Stories

One of the friends I was staying with in Monkey Bay, L, had mentioned a project idea to me a while ago. She wanted to start a sewing project to make toys for local children, who have nothing (having seen little girls using bricks as pretend dolls). We discussed at length how this might be done and then I had a light bulb moment. The dear friend of mine who died a couple of weeks before I came out here had been keen with a sewing machine and had been instrumental in sewing a batch of beautiful dolls for me to bring out to the infant home when I visited last September. With the blessing of Ann's husband, we've now set up the project in Ann's memory, 'The Ann Paul Project' and we've already received a number of generous donations, so the sewing has begun! L has engaged the services of a local seamstress to help from this coming week, so the project is already weaving its tendrils into the local community. We're all thrilled and hopefully photos will follow before I leave and end this blog.

Glasses Update

I was delighted to receive the photo below from my contact in Mangochi - he'd been to visit one of the children who we sourced glasses for back at the beginning of September. First time wearing glasses to school! Again, thanks to everyone who helped make this happen!

Blogging Off

I will endeavour to return to weekly posts for the rest of my time here. I'm sure the next four weeks are going to fly by and it's going to get more intense emotionally as my departure date looms, but I will endeavour to return to weekly posts for the rest of my time here. In the meantime, please follow me on Instagram @Malawi_enjoying_ourselves.

Thanks for reading.

Clare