#peacecorpsmalawi

[iamayeti]

Moments like this are what make life richer. #howiseepc #peacecorpsmalawi #friendship #braailife https://www.instagram.com/p/ByNcFc6BnHm/?igshid=nxe3iyc8b00y

[schmemilyclairee]

The latest in fashion from the mean streets of Mpemba🎩#leafhat #talular #littlehumansofmalawi #kunokumalawi #PeaceCorpsMalawi #pcmalawi #HowISeePC #malawi

[peacecorps]

“I was with Malawians as they transplanted their first coffee plants from a seed bed to tubes today. Most of the farmers admitted they have never tasted coffee but are excited to try it someday!“ – #Malawi Volunteer Gina

[heypcvgirl-blog]

Best friends forever 💖 #heypcvgirl #howiseepc #peacecorps Submission by #peacecorpsmalawi

[amanda4peacecorpsmalawi-blog]

Talking 'Bout My Best Friend

It was one of my first days at site and I was sitting out in my kitchen, trying desperately to keep the flames on my fire going. Children were walking along the path that passes along the side of my yard, and in front of my house. The site of an azungu on all fours, blowing on her fire, was quite the hilarious site that these children could not ignore it. Before I could knew it, there were at least 10 children crowded in my tiny kitchen area. Some of them were bringing sticks to add to my fire. Others were just sitting down laughing at me. But there was one girl that just smiled and said, “Let me help” in the most adorable English. She was small, petite girl, but had the most grandiose smile that took over her face. We didn’t speak much to each other that day as most of the children just kept in awe of me, but as she took the lead in helping me, I was able to successfully cook a full meal over my fire that day.

 Rabekah and I baking our first "Keke ya ntochi" (Banana Cake)

It was a Saturday afternoon a couple weeks later. I had just gotten home from church, and had been looking forward to cooking some spaghetti noodles I had found in my Boma (town center) earlier in the week. I was again, kneeling on all fours in my kitchen blowing on my fire, when a group of about 5 girls filed into my kitchen to assist (or most likely laugh) at me again. This same girl was among them. The water began boiling and I threw the noodles in. They were quite curious as to what I was cooking as most Malawians do not deviate from their staple foods of nsima, nyama, ndi masamba. (nsima, meat, and vegetables). This young girl seemed to be the only one that knew what spaghetti was, and she explained it to the other girls.

A Traditional malawi Meal of nsima, nyama ndi masamba

            Once I had finished cooking, I invited them inside. I offered them to try some, but most of them denied my offer. I still had not had the chance to purchase any forks, so I was stuck eating my spaghetti with a spoon. (I suppose I could have attempted spaghetti with my hands, as most Malawian meals are eaten that way, but I rather leave the hand eating to nsima and rice… Spaghetti seems too messy.) The girls all sat there giggling at me the entire meal as my spaghetti kept falling off my spoon.

            The next day, I looked out my window and I saw the same young girl walking down to my house with a baby slung on her back. The next thing I hear is a knock on my door. I open it up and see her little face smiling up at me. In her hands, she is holding a fork. The fork has a plastic bow (ripped off from a plastic bag) tied around it. She hands it to me and says, “This is for you.” This was the first of many gifts from this little angel that I became to know as Rabekah Kwalira.

Rabekah on top of Kanjiwa Hill

The following week I was hit with some flu-like symptoms. I was convinced I was suffering from Malaria and was bound to my home. I was in bed one of these mornings when I heard an “Ode!” coming from my backdoor. I peeked out and there was Rabekah standing there with a piece of paper in her hands. She said that she heard I was sick (the quick spread of news is what we call "Bush Radio") and handed over a drawing of beautiful flowers in a vase with the words, “Get Well Soon. Love, Rabekah Kwalira.”

Rabekah getting in tune with her musical side

These were the beginning moments of one of the most genuinely true friendships I have ever had. Since these moments, most our mornings and afternoons are spent in each other's presence. Even if I’m off washing clothes or cleaning, she’s often running around my house doing some craft or climbing on some tree. Our favorite things to do together always revolve around music. She loves skimming my iPod and blasting the speakers. I often dance around with her baby sister, Favor, in my arms, and she always giggles away. We have baked cakes, read magazines, and colored all over my walls. We even had a full-blown slumber party complete with food, girl talk, dancing, and yoga. She’s only 10, but she’s definitely my best friend, and beautiful soul that has helped deliver me from days that could have been spent very lonely. 

Rabekah being the divine artist she is

[schmemilyclairee]

Can someone send this along for me? I don't think I have his current address. @barackobama #letterstoObama #PeaceCorpsMalawi (at Njombwa, Kasungu, Malawi)

[iamayeti]

Back in January I went up to this outlook near my home called Kamuzu View with some friends. Trust me to take forever to get around to transferring photos. This is view of my home, Madziabango. #kunokumalawi #peacecorps #peacecorpsmalawi #howiseepc #malawi #travelmalawi #home #kamuzuview (at Blantyre District) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu_qgOcgJqy/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ii6qllx0dd64

[schmemilyclairee]

"To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served." -Peace Corps Goal #2 🇺🇸 #nailedit #howiseepc #PeaceCorps #PeaceCorpsMalawi (at Njombwa, Kasungu, Malawi)

[schmemilyclairee]

I hope you all are karate-kicking your way through this Monday! #pcmalawi #peacecorpsmalawi #howiseepc #littlehumansofmalawi (at Rumphi District)

[schmemilyclairee]

Happy #globalhandwashingday from my (accidentally patriotic) backyard hand washing station and I! • #pcmalawi #PeaceCorpsMalawi #PeaceCorps

[schmemilyclairee]

Thinking about the next two years got me like... #pcmalawi #swearin #HowISeePC #PeaceCorpsMalawi #PeaceCorps

[iamayeti]

Movie day in Madziabango! Inside Out is a big hit. #pcmalawi # peacecorpsmalawi #howiseepc #movieday https://www.instagram.com/p/B29Xd5-BKx1/?igshid=1svgqkd4v1ij3

[schmemilyclairee]

Teamwork makes the dream work! @peacecorpsmalawi @grassrootsoccer (at Nkhata Bay District)

[iamayeti]

Got my medical clearance today. June 2nd, here I come. #peacecorpsmalawi