Malawi, Week One

 While we have only been here in Malawi one week, it seems as though we have been here for months. We are approaching the end of the dry season, so the red clay dust is everywhere and the accumulated smoke from burning of fields, the daily meal and the burning of trash for the past six months brings its flavor to every breath.

We were overwhelmingly welcomed at the airport by Sr. Valsama, Bishop Remi St.Marie and Sr. Revocate, the sister heading the project we were a part of, who was meeting another sister from Kenya. Malawi’s warm heart has been evident everywhere we have visited. We immediately acquired a local cell phone, picked up a vehicle, borrowed an internet connection device for our computer and settled into our little house with the Sisters of Mary Mediatrics.

Tuesday we drove through Lilongwe and out to Chinsapo to reacquaint ourselves with our surroundings. We were struck by the new construction that is in progress everywhere, a new Malawi Parliament building recently completed by the Chinese, with a new hotel complex adjacent to Parliament in progress, also a Chinese project, many new homes sprouting up everywhere, even street lights on the road to Chinsapo. Having been away for a few years, we are struck by the dwindling tree population. As cooking requires fire wood, every tree has suffered the machete blows required to secure firewood. The Chinsapo facility we once worked at is adjacent to the cemetery, originally hidden by trees, is now fully exposed with few branches remaining. There is even new construction here, though with much more primitive means, most without water or electricity.  How can there be just as many poor when there is so much development?  Is this the way of the world?  When we left Malawi all we could see was mostly poverty with a few in between.  Now that we are back, the crowded poverty is still here, though there seems to be development in the city.  All the external sense of progress is here through the structures, but the people are still living under harsh conditions. Children in rags covered with the red flying dust have not given up.  They continue to strive to be in a better place, but will that happen as they get further behind? How can they get ahead when the young do not have the proper education?  At the Chinsapo Rainbow Center, students have come forward to help those who will be taking their exams soon but what will they do once they pass? They do not have the funds for the training they need. This cycle will end once a door of possibility is opened. Meanwhile, they wait expectantly on the Lords help.

Most importantly, our particular Orphan Outreach Program stands as a model for others to learn from. The outstation church, built by the community about a mile away, has been given parish status. Fr. Julio Feliu, a Missioner of Africa, from Spain, now the pastor of the new St. Denis, is working very closely with Sr. Revocate to continue the work of the center. Some of the volunteers from the center are now involved with the parish facilities, presently building a house for the catechist.

 As all of these startup parishes in the poor unacknowledged areas are relying on the few meagerly employed, Fr. is stretching every Kwacha. Fr. Julio and Sr. Revocate, having worked in these conditions most of their life, rely heavily on providence for everything. The center in Chinsapo together with the Small Faith Communities of the parish have identified many needy  secondary school graduates that they are now supporting at the Don Bosco school, with many waiting. The Salesian’s Don Bosco school here is the equivalent to a trade tech, for those not qualified for university. With the school system as it exist in the outskirts of the city, no one here goes to university. Thousands of children who pass the national exams have no job opportunities nor technical training. Yes, there are for profit trade schools that start up to make money with very questionable benefit. As it is at home the Don Bosco schools are well respected here for training young men and women in their chosen field.

We have visited Don Bosco in the past, so yesterday we found our way there to speak with the administration about letting a few more squeak in even though the normal test and interview period has past, and classes begin Oct 4. We have been assured that those that come on Monday the 27^th will be given every opportunity to enter in those disciplines that are not already overcrowded after passing the entrance exam.

Here lies our first opportunity to participate with Providence, thanks to all of your expressed support.

Blessing to all.