2. May 2026

Mothers, More Lessons, Immigration Mayhem, and Moonlight

In many ways it feels as though I have been here longer than a month, in other ways it's alarming to think how quickly the time has gone. A friend asked me today how I'll feel when I have to leave. I can't dwell on that right now!

Last Sunday, I was invited to visit my friend Innocent's family in the village. I had already met his wife, Chikondi (translates as 'love') and his beautiful baby daughter, Letitia, who is gradually getting used to this strange white woman who keeps grinning at her!

His mother and I had to speak through Innocent and his brother, Frank, but I was made so welcome by everyone and I think I met most of the extended family, who all live close by. As I left, they proudly presented me with an enormous papaya, which I enjoyed over the next few days.

School was joyous again this week. The students are becoming more confident with me, particularly Form 3, and they did some great work. We spent one lesson talking about the difference between fact, opinion, speculation and rumour. For a bit of fun at the end we played Chinese Whispers. My original starting point of 'I've heard Miss B is in love with a monkey' (I can neither confirm nor deny...) was unrecognisable by the time it had travelled from mouth to ear across the classroom, and the ensuing screeches of laughter caused consternation over in the staff room!

Speaking of the staff room, have I mentioned how wonderfully welcome the teachers have made me feel? I've been given lots of treats this week by staff keen for me to try their fritters, sweet potato breakfasts, and Madam C even baked me a delicious African cake (chigumu). I haven't been brave enough to do any baking here yet, but I will do soon. For now, all I could offer them in return was some instant coffee! Once again, must try harder!

Emotional Video Calls

Another beautiful moment of the week was when my trusty portable WiFi box enabled a video call from my phone one lunch time between one of the Form 3 students and her UK sponsor. The sponsor is a close friend of mine and I knew the student would feel an immediate bond with her; suffice to say the call ended up with both the sponsor and student in tears! "I wish you were here so I could hug you," the student sobbed from the safety of the staff room. I think I must have had something in my eye at that point too...

(NB please drop me a message or an email if you'd like to find out more about student sponsorship. I am witnessing how vital this is for some students who might otherwise be forced to leave school early as the parents aren't able to pay the termly fees.)

Immigration Mayhem

Well, what can I say, the man from Immigration he say 'yes'! Well, kind of. It wasn't that straightforward, obviously. On Thursday afternoon, the school director, Andy, kindly drove me to Nkhotakota town so that I could have my Visitor Visa renewed. Inevitably, there were some issues finding the right person, in the right place, as time marched on towards a long weekend closure from Thursday evening (a late renewal would have meant a hefty fine). I'm learning that things evolve at their own pace here in Malawi and the waiting around afforded an opportunity to meet the District Education Director, who works in a beautifully air-conditioned office (most welcome by this point) opposite the Immigration building. Originally an English teacher, he was keen to chat about my visit to Malawi and catch up with Andy, who is obviously well-known to him.

Eventually, thanks to the helpful Immigration Officer, my passport was stamped up to the end of June, although he cautioned that I need to apply for my longer-term permit next week. It turns out that even for volunteering, I need an Temporary Employment Contract; without it I could end up being deported or sent to prison, neither of which would be my bucket list...

Dancing in the Moonlight

The full moon has cast a beautiful glow on the lake over the last few days, with this evening's spectacular show featuring an hour of orange perfection. Yes, indeed, however will I feel when it's time to leave...?

Blogging Off

The week ahead has some different experiences in store for me (sorry, the creative writer in me can't resist a chance to insert a little intrigue and suspense) so I should have more tales to tell next Saturday. I will also have crossed a birthday milestone so this is the last blog post I'll write in my fifties!!

If you can't stand the suspense and want to see what I've been up to before next Saturday, you can follow me on Instagram @malawi_enjoying_ourselves.

Thanks for reading.

Clare