Melanie  has been responsible for the successful implementation of project “Vanier AIDS Action in Africa” since May 2008; she  brings a rich educational background with studies in International Development Studies and Women’s Studies and experience as an intern with a CIDA- recognized NGO in Bhopal, India in 2007.

Malawi Study Trip 2009

by Melanie Hadida

Week one

The Vanier group arrived in Makupo village exhausted, hungry, ( and a bit dirty) but mostly excited and curious about what the next few weeks would consist of for us. We were on a different continent, in a different hemisphere and in a totally new environment.

The first weekend we arrived, we spent Saturday morning taking a walking tour of the 3 Chilanga school campuses across from Makupo village. This was a very good activity because it helped everyone to become familiarized with our future working environments, on a day when staff and students were not around. On Saturday afternoon we attended a football (soccer) match between the Chilanga Day Secondary School team and a team from another local school. On Sunday, we discovered that we were extremely lucky, for a large-scale event was taking place, just minutes from Makupo. This event was held in honour of “Day of the African Child”, this year’s theme being “Stop Child Abuse”. This was a national day for all of Malawi. Children from several different schools and villages assembled to hold performances (traditional dance, music, poetry, theatre etc.). The “Big Chief” was the guest of honour at this event; he is the head chief overseeing all the chiefs of 700 Malawian villages. This event did a tremendous job of making us all feel extremely comfortable, welcomed and enthusiastic about our upcoming weeks.

Week One

During our first week in Makupo, Doug Miller, our trip leader, took the 7 Vanier students, Melanie, Cari and Dale to visit the Chilanga Primary School, The Chilanga School for the Blind and the Chilanga Community Day Secondary School (CDSS).

The first week we spent our mornings in the different schools. We chose not to bring our cameras this week as to not distract the students from their teachers. We began by simply observing classes taking place, but quickly teachers began to give us the teaching materials and requested that we assist in, and even lead lessons. Among the difficulties in the first week, was the fact that the teachers from all 3 schools regarded Vanier staff and students to be teachers ourselves, with many Malawian teachers looking to us for guidance and advice pertaining to their teaching techniques.

During the first week we spent our afternoons doing various research and experiential activities. On Tuesday June 23rd we met with the assistant District Education Manager at the Kasungu District government building. All of the students took notes as the assistant DEM gave us a very good overview of the state of education in the Kasungu District. For example, in this particular district there are 187,000 “learners” (students) and only 2000 teachers; the district goal is to have a 1:60 teacher to student ratio.    On Wednesday June 24th we visited the Skills Youth Network who had come together with an organization that helps to provide employment opportunities for disabled people. Makupo Development Group was responsible for the joining of these two organizations. At this meeting, the groups were presented with a fully-equipped tool box donated by Cari Clough. These tools will prove to be an invaluable contribution to the organizations that are aimed at providing income generating opportunities for unemployed youth and the disabled.

On Thursday June 25th the group visited the Kasungu Teacher Training College where we learned all about the process of becoming at teacher in Malawi. Friday June 26th the group met with the CCAP reverend who spoke with the group about the ways in which the Church influences and impacts the community.

Every second evening the group would assemble after dinner for a group meeting. The meetings largely focused on process, and organizing our upcoming days, however often we would take the time to discuss our feelings and emotions as we went through this experience. The meetings were extremely helpful because they helped to best make use of Dale Robinson’s photography talents, by discussing the anticipated events of the following days, and photographing priorities.

On the weekend, the Vanier group along with Makupo villagers planted several trees around the boarders of the village. This was very exhausting and difficult work, but we were able to experience, if only for a few short hours, the life of a rural farmer. We learned how to plant seedlings, how to use a hoe, and of course, to carry water on our heads. On Sunday we went on a walking tour of 2 neighbouring villages that do not have working water pumps. We took many photos and interviewed several villagers about the situation; mainly, how lack of working water pumps affects village life.

Week two

During the second week we spent every morning working at the schools. In the afternoons we split up as the 3 groups—political, socio-economic, religious/cultural focused on their particular topics. Student groups, lead by Doug, Cari and Melanie visited different organizations and NGOs in Kasungu, politician, the reverend as well as many local villagers. During the afternoons, Cari, James, Cate and Jen also helped to run an experimental “study hall” at the secondary school and Melanie, Audrey, Katherine and Victoria along with our guides, painted one of the classrooms in the primary school.

During this week we contributed 5 working laptops to the secondary school, for them to set up a small computer lab in their library. We also brought 1000 sheets of Braille paper to the School for the Blind of which they were very much in need.  All contributions were received warmly and were much appreciated. This week, we also presented the women of Makupo village with money donated by the Vanier College Library for a piggery at Makupo—this will be an income generating opportunity for the women.

On the Friday of our second week, the group of seven students—Cari, Dale, Melanie and Doug, accompanied by our 3 Malawian guides, Kenny, Francis and Mercy—departed for Nkhata bay where we spent 3 nights relaxing by a beautiful beach. During this time we met many interesting people, other travelers or young people who were working or volunteering in Africa. We also met many interesting Malwians whose colourful personalities and interesting stories helped to enrich our overall trip experience.

We left Nkhata Bay on July 6th which incidentally is Malawi’s Independence Day. We drove to Lilongwe where we spent one night and one day there. While in Lilongwe we had a chance to visit the “townships” where much of Lilongwe’s working class lives. This was a good opportunity for the students to contrast their experiences of African village life, with that of the city life. During our day in Lilongwe we met with two very interesting and inspiring individuals. One was Malawian Jacob Mapemba—Malawi country director for WUSC (World University Services Canada). Jacob spoke with us about his role as WUSC Director in Malawi and the various programs and services that WUSC provides in the country. This visit was particularly interesting to 3 of our students, Sarah Lone, Jen Barbato and James Arruda who have been extremely active in initiating the first WUSC chapter at Vanier College this past academic year.

The second person we met that day was Malawian McPherson Jere, who is the Education Specialist for the Malawi-Canada Programme Support Unit. McPherson spoke with the group about the current status of education in Malawi, history of the education system including important changes that have been recently implemented. McPherson also discussed with us many national goals that government administration hopes to implement into the education system within the next few years. For this visit we went to the Canadian High Commission which was an interesting experience for all of us. Our discussion with McPherson Jere was extremely valuable, as we complied a great deal of information from him, he was detailed and compelling with everything he spoke to us about.

Week Three

Since we spent Monday and Tuesday in Lilongwe, our third week back at Makupo was short. On Wednesday the Vanier Group was invited to a small goodbye party hosted by the teachers of the Chilanga Primary, Secondary, and School for the Blind. We were touched by the effort the teachers put into this event. The Chief from Makupo was invited to attend as well as several board members from the school.

During this last week, students took the time to complete any interviews they had planned on conducting and by tying up loose ends with some of their personal projects. During our final day at Makupo, the Vanier group, along with a group of Malawians from Makupo and the Secondary School, climbed Mount Kasungu. This was a really challenging but exciting activity for the entire group. On our final evening, the people of Makupo threw a party for the Vanier group and we all enjoyed a fun night of dancing with people from the village and students from the school.

Malawian Guides

Our three Makupo guides, Kenny, Francis, and Mercy were invaluable to the overall Malawi Study Trip experience. All three of our guides spoke English extremely well and acted as excellent English-Chichewa translators for the group. At all points of our trip, all three guides knew where we were and how to navigate our way around our surroundings and therefore no one ever got lost or disoriented.  Additionally, Mercy, Francis and Kenny were all able to converse with the Vanier group about Malawi or African specific cultural issues which was clearly another important aspect of our trip experience. In addition to their practical help and guidance, each and every member of the Vanier group made a strong and meaningful connection with our guides, fostering reciprocal relationships between Canadians and Malawians that will be sustained for future years.

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