The first week of training is over and we have been having a really interesting time finding out more about local culture, politics and the health service. 80% of the population live in rural villages and below subsistence level. Unemployment is high and some people who work do not get paid. There is quite a bit of political unrest and parliament is not sitting just now because of the problems.
There are local jobs and responsibilities for the boys in the villages, unpaid but rewarding. If your brothers wife dies you get his wife, whether you want her and her children, or not. This wife inheritance is common. Not the sort of legacy we hope for in the UK. If your wife does not conceive within the first 6 months of marriage you let the village chief know and he sends someone round to roger her until she gets pregnant. If your husband dies someone is sent round to roger you before your husband is buried to free the spirits. When the girls are told how to behave when they get married some comes round to make sure they know all the tricks of the trade. Once children become adolescent they are moved out of their family home into a house for females and house for males. The males have to prove their manhood and regularly break into the girls house at night. The girls are taught to be submissive so not complaints are made. There are lots more similar practices. Maybe the locals are a bit too knackered to work.
Most of the Malawians that we meet are very welcoming and charming. One of the girls has already had a marriage proposal from one of the less charming locals. He said "white bitch I sex you and marry you". Too bad he used the M word and spoilt it. We were entertained in a nightclub last night by the locals who stutted their stuff for our benefit. A benefit we would have been happy to live without. I have progressed from the local gin to the local beer "kuchi kuchie" its OK and cheaper than carlsberg. We have also founch an ice-cream shop here where they dip the ice-cream in melted chocolate. There are a few places for luxuries here but not near most of our placements. I never thought I would consider ice-cream a luxury.
We had a day at the beach yesterday so life remains taxing but we tolerate it well. We did actually have a really busy and interesting week and we have the same again next week. I continue to humiliate myself in the language lessons, despite being in the remedial class. I am trying to convince myself that it will all fit into place when I'm immersed in the language and culture, well maybe not all the culture. I can understand somethings in context but there are a few of us who are struggling in the classes.
I'm looking forward to finally getting into my house, and kitten, when I get back to Malosa. Keep the comments coming, its great to hear whats going on in the other world.
9 comments:
Hi Carol
Great to read about what is happening in your life. Like Angie it would be great to see some photos I can't tell you what pictures I am conjuring up in my head!
We are just back from wee brother's wedding in Jersey, had a fabulous time, wine and champagne flowing, lots of rellies there, it was such good fun - kids had a ball
We are off on hols again to Spain on 6/8 for 8 days four of us plus friend with Rebecca (Kyle didn't want to bring a friend as he didn't want to leave any of his friends out!) looking forward to some sun sea and sand. I'll have to brush up on my spanish 'uno cafe con leche por favor' is as far as I've got!
Keep up the good work, miss you and take care Elaine xx
HI Carol, wow what a week! It must be such a huge change and challenge for you all out there. Niamh was asking how you were getting on but I don't think I'll tell about ALL the exploits! Who sits on the Sexual Health Strategy Group out there?? Think they might be a wee bit busy!!! Take care Lesley & co
Hi Carol,
Just found out how to post a blog. We have been reading all your postings and have found them hugely entertaining. The boys, Al, Kev & Joe were all in a school show before the hols, it was filmed so we will send you the DVD when we get them in the new term.(Who said the Carson's were all tone deaf?)Allan & Kevin had leading singing parts and Joe did some great guitar solos. Not been up to see JB yet in the Playboy Mansion but we will soon. Visited Bunt last week she was in suprisingly good humour.New job is going well, we are all missing you, keep well.
love from Allan, Ruby, Allan & Kevin xxx
Hi Carol
Very interesting details coming through from you there. I expect you will be glad when you have your own transport to move around independently.
Looked up Malosa today and lots said about minerals Mount Malosa but not much else. Seems Aegirine crystals good quality so may be time for another wee necklace and earrings !! that's if you don't manage to South Africa for the diamonds and wines.Is it a big car?
Just been reading the Courier and noticed East Lothian project " Recycle for Africa"- for every ton aluminium packaging recycled in the county , one fruit tree will be planted in Malawi to protect environment and sustain local produce.
Fire today at Romanes and Paterson.
Had lunch with Elsie today at Tyneside then walk along the river but it has turned quite cold now.
Will continue with blog meantime as post seems erratic.
Love Helen xx
Hi Carol,
Well what a lovely educational blog, I told Lesley E she would have fun explaining some of it to Sarah. Have just spent 4 hours at the DEX Family Fun Fair updating on the new surgery. Cardiac Anne and I had a good wee browse round the jewellry stalls in between BP's and signing up new patients for the surgery. I liked the sound of the night club and the natives dancing for you, I am out tonight to Harlem
with the girls from women's Aid so we are hoping for a similar display from the local youths of Dunfermline! They will be wearing football tops.. cannot wait! You sound as if you are settling down and getting to grips with the culture etc. I was in the remedial class when I was learning Arabic until I went to the kalaboush then I learnt some more helpful phrases!
You will pick it up when you are working with the locals as you then have no choice. Hopefully you will get your wee house soon and then get your email set up. Cardiac Anne tried to call you last night JB sent her the number.
Hope you are well and I bet you are looking forward to getting started in your job. The choir singing must have been lovely and I trust the man of god has got the message now about your non-religion.
I sent you a letter a couple of weeks ago so I hope it arrives soon.
Love Rhona xx
Hi Carol
at last I`v`e managed to get access to your site Lesley must be demented with me I ve been on her case to help me almost on a daily basis.The problem was i kept giong in to google to try and access the site and claerly that wasnt giong to work.Anyway enough nonsense Ive laughed reading your diary to date Carol it really is just a different world isnt it.I finished my secondement last week with IHT,I will miss the team and indeed prmary care very much but I know we will stay in contact and do much more partnership working.The girls hosted a coffe morning with a tombloa for me.They also bought me a beatiful necklace and gave me a voucher for a local beatucian.Caroline starts her secondement with pyscology tomorrow and we had a jiont night out in Blossoms the chinese resturant at the bottom of the glen.I wont say much more other than we had a great night out,discovered that some of us had unseen musical talents and others I E me couldnt find our way into seven kings next door.Belinda is looking to go camping this weekend but the weather forecast in NAIRN her intended destination is pretty shocking.We tried to persuade to head down South but shes seriously looking at Berwick so watch this space.Take care Carol will look in again soon .
Mimax
Hi Carol,
Have a great time reading all your news. It sounds fantastic, well most of it anyway. I am sure you must find some of the places quite hard to accept.
Had a great holiday recently with the boys but for the last three days needing silk toilet roll. Richard went off the local pharmacist for loperamide and came back with Fibra 80. He looked so upset when I said that it treated constipation and not diarrhoea, that I decided to take it! Things went from bad to worse. The pharmacist had said that it was for diarrhoea but I didn't have the energy to go in and share his joke.
I am up to my eyes at the moment planning and organising the PipKin ball. Why didn't you shake me by the shoulders and tell me that this was a daft idea to tackle on my own! I have 180 tickets to sell and so far just sold about 120. Very disappointed that several folk who volunteered to take a table, have changed their minds! Have still 7 weeks yet so will be OK. I have a £1000/£1200 McIntyre's voucher for one lucky person. Really chuffed to get this at cost price.
Are you able to buy cat snocks/food? If not, I would be happy to send some kitty treats to you for your kitten. Is there anything else you could do with?
Have not bought Premium bonds yet as I remembered you suggested leaving some money in our account. Keep your fingers crossed.
Thinking of you lots and missing you lots. Life is quite dull without you to shake and spice things up.
Jenny
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Hi Carol
Glad to hear you have settled into Malawi. Missing you at golf.
Helen X
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