January 7, 2009

We're really loving it here. The other coordinators are GREAT people who I imagine we will work to keep in our lives. All of the volunteers are here – 10 total. 8 are college students, sophomores to seniors from Salem College (NC), Randolph Macon (VA), Colby (ME), and Middlebury (VT). The other two guys are 27 and in between jobs. One is moving to South Africa for a job and the other to England for a job. They are both CPAs – totally queens! They keep us all laughing and Brett blushing ;)

I am definitely the mom of the group, but the queens call me ‘House Sister’ so I don’t feel old. Some of my assigned tasks: cook group organizer, kitchen organizer, point person for aliments, teacher coordinator, house tours, getting rooms ready for volunteers, reflection and evaluation leader, and Brett and I are working to start a compost pile and "program" for the house. I am in my element and feel so comfortable here.

Brett is up to his usual tricks - working on cars, fixing anything anyone mentions needs work, working on the computers, driving everywhere, buying tools, making friends with the house guys – John and Anjoni who are so great. John is a wonderful cook - he is teaching me some tricks! Anjoni is in charge of all the things on the outside of the house. Brett likes working with them both. We both have loved being able to bring our talents and skills to the house.

One of the coordinators, Daisy and I went to a crisis nursery to hold babies before the rest of the volunteers arrived. WOW. They keep up to 20 babies (they’re always full) ages birth to 18 months that have been orphaned. The facility was in good repair, and the women who work there seem to really care for the children. I can’t imagine how they don’t get attached to all the cuties. They are always in need of formula because if is so expensive here. I think World Camp is going to start accepting baby donations from volunteers and donors to give to the nursery. Usually WC discourages material donations because they have found that giving out items in the village gives the children the idea that we’re only here to give stuff and pay less attention to what we ARE here to give – education.

That visit prompted the START of what I imagine will be a very long discussion about international adoption and mulit-race adoption among the group.

We went to Lake Malawi from Monday – Wednesday (today) for volunteer orientation. It was beautiful, and especially great to start working with the volunteers. They are a good group of people. We went through the whole 3 day camp curriculum so they could practice. We coordinators also created many opportunities for reflection, and get to know you activities.

Our lodge, Cool Runnings, was right on the water, so our breaks were filled with time in the sun and swimming in the lake. The villagers use the lake for all their water needs – including bathing and washing dishes. It was hard to not feel guilty about relaxing in the water while these women, men and children used it to meet their basic needs. But – it did give us great opportunities to interact with them. I went into the water one afternoon and had a group of kids swim over to me to play. They are so open and friendly. The 4 year old jumped right into my arms. He LOVED being thrown on the count of three. Then he got tired and cold and just wanted me to hold him (I totally melted of course!) Some other volunteers were there too, so we practiced singing the songs we will use to open our days at camps in the villages. The kids LOVED it – we all sang and danced and played in the water. All the kids I met on the beach didn’t hesitate to sing, dance, and play with us. I just love their spirit. That has been the highlight of my trip so far.

I led our first official reflection group with the volunteers tonight. It went really well I think. They all seemed like they were ready and needing to vent and discuss all that we’ve seen and done so far. They were all very willing to tackle some tough issues already. I think this will be an important addition to the World Camp program for all of us. All of the coordinators are participating also.

Brett has enjoyed the running. They walk over to this private golf course. They have to walk in town because everyone looks at them like they’re crazy – “what are they running FROM??” He says the course is nice – a few hills – but short. He’s hoping to push some of the other runners to do two laps eventually. They have to be off the course by 7:30, so he is learning to love morning exercise (or at least dealing with it!) He is bummed that the coffee is TERRIBLE – surprising since we’re relatively close to Kenya – guess they ship it all to the US!

I have taught a couple of yoga classes for the group. Tonight over half of the whole group (volunteers and coordinators) joined me outside under the moon for a class. I’m excited to have so many people interested in yoga and also for the opportunity to practice teaching. It is very motivating for me. My meditation practice has been regular and wonderful here – so much to process. I think the quiet, still time is really good for me in this (and all really!) situation.

Brett and I both are really enjoying the laid back atmosphere here. “African time” is suiting us well. A Malawian explained it nicely – he said that they are more relationally driven than results driven. It is a nice change of pace, and we’ll be working on ways to incorporate that value into our lives.

We’re up early tomorrow to head into the bush to a village school for our first camp. We will go back to that school 3 days in a row. We will go to a total of 6 schools – all for 3 days at a time. The volunteers are buzzing around the house getting all their supplies ready to teach for the first time tomorrow. I can’t wait!

Hope you all are doing well. Thank you all for your love and support of this journey.

We love you!

Catherine & Brett