On Monday, Ryan and I began our last full week at DLH. We
spent the morning in the pharmacy, taking an active role in dispensing. The
pharmacy attendant, Myah, made us a Chichewa cheat sheet containing the most pertinent
words for the pharmacy. It was both fun and challenging to dispense medications in
this way. It was also rewarding to know that we were contributing (at least in
some small way) to the pharmacy and hospital.
In the afternoon, we made progress on our project plans before
meeting the Texans for the HASH run. The Norwegian family hosted this week, so
we drove to their house and waited for the activities to begin. There was a
good turnout, likely because most people have now returned to Malawi from
holiday. I saw a few old faces from last week, including the nurse Emily, but
there were also some fresh faces. Similar to last week, I enjoyed making new
connections and learning of their stories. I joined the “long run” again in
order to take advantage of the infrequent exercise opportunity. The temperature
had cooled down noticeably, dropping to the low 70s and even 60s at night.
Relative to the previous heat, it felt quite cold, but also made for perfect
running weather.
The various walking and running groups ended back at the
Norwegian’s house, where we shared snacks, drinks, and the usual traditions.
The night concluded with dinner at the Podgore’s house.
We managed to get through Tuesday with scarce electricity and
water. In the morning, I collected project data from a nurse in the male ward.
The afternoon was spent helping inventory and pre-pack in the pharmacy. Dinner
at the Texans’ house was extra special for the honorary guests—Korean mission
workers. James prepared a colorful vegetable salad, coleslaw, fried eggplant,
rice with chakalaka (a spicy vegetable dish from South Africa), and penne with
chicken. For dessert, we were spoiled with chocolate cake and cookies, and the
usual Rooibos tea. I greatly admire and appreciate the sense of community and
generosity fostered by the Podgores.
I woke up on Wednesday in realization that I would be
leaving Malawi in exactly one week. I joined Sarah for a 5:30 am run before going to
work.
Ryan and I attended the morning Handover meeting, and from
there, we followed two physicians. I collected project data from Dr. Gary in
the pediatric ward. Not surprisingly, most children had malaria. Their piercing
and fearful screams always grew louder when a nurse or physician drew near.
The weather was
perfect—sunny and warm, but not too hot. More guests joined us at the Podgore's house for dinner that night. This
time, we welcomed our German friends from HASH, Florian and Franziska. After
the meal, we watched a documentary about Burkitt’s lymphoma in Malawi.
Handover was composed of the usual update given by the
overnight healthcare workers that always seem to present their reports in a
whisper. Afterwards, Ryan and I joined Dr. Podgore, Sarah, and Kate on the
pediatric ward rounds. I made it a point to choose an interesting case to
present back in Pittsburgh. We returned to the pharmacy in the afternoon,
before walking up the hill to have dinner with the
Texans. Always an enjoyable evening with our second family.
Friday was wonderful. After a morning run, Ryan and I were
invited to spend the day with the Texans.
We had cereal and bananas for breakfast (my favorite!) before departing
for the KCH campus. Kate and Sarah dropped off freshly baked cookies at the Baylor
HIV clinic, where they had spent time earlier in the week. Next door, the
University of North Carolina clinic was hosting a blood drive. There was a
current shortage of blood, so we were eager to help. Unfortunately, however, my
iron levels were too low to donate.
That afternoon, we visited Ione's NGO that is located in a very rural and poor area of Lilongwe. Within this small
community, Ione and her sponsors created a feeding
center that provides breakfast and lunch to the orphans in school. The Chikondi
Malawi program feeds over 700. Chickondi means "love" in Chichewa.
We began our visit in the main schoolhouse, where the primary school children were practicing English and math. The nursery-aged children had already come and gone that morning. I was stunned by the amount of children clustered in the tiny room. I was equally shocked by their infectious happiness. They had clean clothes, food, and a roof over their heads—everything that they needed to be content.
After the lesson, the children lined up for lunch. The feeding center had
prepared large vats of rice or nsima,
beans, and vegetables. Again I was fascinated by how well behaved the children
were. They weren’t fighting or crying, but rather happy to be alive and well. And to my
delight, they loved having their
picture taken.
Many children in secondary school come from remote areas (some as
far as four hours on bicycle) to receive education. These students are housed in a
dormitory throughout the school year. We visited the girl’s dormitory, where
the young women put on a brief performance of song and dance. The choir passionately
rang out enthusiastic hymns. It was genuinely beautiful and harmonious—a truly
moving experience. These women lead extraordinary lives, studying in the early
and late hours of the day when not working in the fields or in the house.
Video 1. Secondary school-girl performance
Later on, we walked through the villages, visiting several
families and groups of people. The stares that we received that day were a mix
of confusion, curiosity, and amusement. Sarah, Kate, Ryan, and I each offered a
quilt to an elderly member of the community. We were also asked to pray for
them. Most asked for good health or resolution of pain, or often for rain. To
my surprise, one older man pleaded to stop drinking alcohol.
We also passed through the crops belonging to the feeding
center. Despite the drought, the fields of corn (or maize) grew tall. Also in the area were fields of beans and a
vegetable garden, as well as tobacco crops that do not belong to the feeding
center. It was a mighty hot day in Lilongwe.
The feeding center left me feeling humbled by the global
happiness of the community. At the hospital, I am accustomed to seeing sick
patients that do not wish to be there. In contrast, this experience led me to
witness normal Malawians going about their daily lives. Malawi is one of the
poorest nations in the world, yet its population is generally content and
grateful for what they do have. This
finding leads me to argue the point that people are happier with less.
Simplicity too often goes underrated. I will never forget the children’s smiling
faces, beaming energy, and the countless waves and kisses directed at us.
Should you have any interest in learning more about Ione’s program, please
visit the following website: www.chikondimalawi.org.
On the way back to the Podgore’s house, we stopped at the specialty
grocery store, Kapani. We then shared lunch at their house before departing
again. Our first stop was at the African Bible College (ABC)—a Christian community,
school, and health clinic founded by missionaries. This network is also
established in Liberia and Uganda.
Afterwards, we drove to Old Town to peruse the craft stall
vendors and to share a drink at Kiboko’s restaurant nearby. It was our last night
with Kate, as she was to return to Texas the following morning. A snowstorm was
forecasted to hit the North East, so we were all hoping that her flight to
Washington D.C. would not be canceled.
After watching the sunset-colored clouds from the restaurant
balcony, the Podgores dropped Ryan and I off at Gerry’s house in Area 3. There we ate
dinner with the residents and the new addition to the house—Gerry’s colleague,
Jeremy. Gerry had just recently returned from a brief business trip to Korea. I
fell asleep that night in anticipation of my last weekend in Malawi.
