Day 4 onsite

Today was such a good day!

We left the hotel at 8am and stopped at an arts market on the way. We got to test out our haggling skills and soon realised that the stall holders couldn't be fobbed off with 'I'll come back later'. Before we left we heard calls of 'excuse me, you said you'd come back to my stall later - I'll do you best price'...oops!

We went to a nursery school that John sponsors and got to meet the little kids. Some of the smaller ones cry when they see us as they aren't used to white skin. Usually a smile and a wave snaps them out of it and they become inquisitive. We saw the porridge cooking, which feeds all the kids. John sponsors the porridge which helps encourage the kids to attend.

We visited the secondary school and delivered footballs, maps, books, pencils and pens. It was touching to hear that the football might boost school attendance. We met the chief and head master and they gave out uniforms that John had provided to the poorest and orphaned children. John was presented with his own school shirt, which was brilliant and made him look like a naughty school kid!

John in his school uniform

Thank You Speech "Zikomo"



Can you spot John?

The local kids call us 'Azungu' which means 'white person'. Today we heard calls of 'Azungo abwino' which means 'good white person'. They get so excited when they see us and run really quickly to catch up with the bus!

It was so hot on site but the mood in the village had lifted. We sang lots of songs with the kids and made up our own songs about building, which caused lots of laughs. John had a nice moment where he was humming the Malawi national anthem and the family of the deceased joined in with big smiles. An old man came over to help shovel the matopi (mud) which made some of the women laugh, they kept shouting at him and were obviously taking the mickey! The people of this country are so warm, humorous and smiley!

Wise & Holyfield helping

We managed to get the long walls completed and we should finish the build tomorrow so that the roof can go on - this is a great feeling!

One of my favourite parts of the day was meeting baby Peace. John picked him up and he looked terrified, which is usually the effect I have on children. Peace stretched his arms out to me and John passed him over - I had the biggest smile from him and he clung on like a koala! 

The adults have started waving at us without prompting now. There are big shouts of 'welcome' from some of the men, accompanied with a thumbs up!

This has been such an amazing experience and I'd urge anyone thinking about doing it to take the plunge! I can't accurately describe the poverty here, you have to see it to believe it. People only have the clothes on their backs, a cook pot and some maize. They are some of the happiest, kindest people I have ever met. It’s impossible to help them all but we can make a small difference. If you are able to donate then we'd be so grateful. Even a couple of quid goes a long way out here! https://give.everydayhero.com/uk/touchstone