Hello from Nkhata Bay, Malawi.
Just arrived last night after two weeks in Mulanje (in the far south of the country) without Internet access.
We spent most of time at the Friends of Mulanje Orphans centre volunteering. The experience was incredibly inspiring. The kids and staff were absolutely wonderful to us. We can’t remember the last time we’ve laughed, sang and danced so much. This is truly a wonderful organization helping more than 4,000 kids and youth who lost both of their parents to AIDS and malaria. The organization provides food, clothing, fun, daycare, health care, school fees and much more to these kids who live with extended families. The younger ones were too cute for words and the teens were more mature and thoughtful than your average Canadian young adult.
We’re so happy that the fundraising we did before our journey is going to help them continue to grow. Be warned: we won’t stop talking about them and fundraising for them when we return to Canada. In a few days, we’ll post some of the pictures from our visit.
We took three days away from the kids to hike Mount Mulanje. Ian scaled the peak (3000 m), the third highest in Africa so we are told. The scenery was great including several spots that looked right out of the Canadian backwoods.
More update to comes…. I think we will be lounging here in Nkhata Bay for a while. We have the sweetest lakeside chalet ever… for $30/night.
Really happy this part of your trip worked out so well after all the fundraising and talk beforehand
So proud of you guys!
Hard to believe you guys are about halfway! Miss ya! *hugs*
Gee, it sounds like the trip gets better every day. Good on you both for completing the work at the orphanage. I look forward to seeing those photos in particular.
And be sure sure to send photos of the 30$/night sweet lakeside chalet. Funny, we haven’t seen any photos of the Serena Hotel JULIE!
Have fun and be careful (that’s the geezer in me coming out Ian)
John V
Gillian and Ian,
I’m soooo happy (and relieved) to see your blog and photos and to hear what a wonderful experience you had at the orphanage…..I was checking every few days and getting a little worried when there was no updates (that’s the mother in me coming out!). Anyway, thrilled for both of you…enjoy and take care!
Susi
Sounds like an incredible experience! Can’t wait to see the photos when you guys get back.
Fantastic photos! Can’t wait to see more and to talk about your travels when you get home (if you come back!). The orphanage must have been a fantastic experience…glad to hear it all went well. I see Julie and I were not the only ones to have a dance party in an Orphanage this summer!