January 15, 2012 Travel Time

Being on a plane for approximately 25 hours gives you ample time to think. So to burn time, I wrote down some things that I had truly learned from the trip to Malawi. Learning to be grateful for the small things in life is essential for maintaining happiness. Once you have seen the poorest of poorest with your own eyes, you see the world in another light. One thing I found amazing, is Americans are so materialistic and wealthy compared to Malawi but  post Americans are unhappy. Malawians have hardly anything but maintain smiles on their face everyday. They value all the small things in life such as family and friends. We can learn from their culture that happiness is not obtained through money or materials. It is simply found through those around you. If you help others more than you help yourself you will gain more happiness in your heart. A quote that I now live by "It's not what the world can do for you, its simply what you can do for the world". Helping others is more important than helping yourself! I'm grateful for the opportunity to have traveled with the most amazing group of people in the World.

January 14, 2012 Traveling back to the States

Today we were packed and ready to start our travels back to North Carolina. Observing the group everyone  was eager to go back to see family and friends. Eager to do the same, I knew, I was going to miss Malawi with all my heart. There is a reason why Malawi is named the heart of Africa because it is the most amazing place ever. Malawi had exposed our best qualities in each person and we all grew very close to each other. I considered the group as my extended family and still do today. Malawi filled a void in my sole and has led me to be a better person.

January 13, 2012 Water Activities on Lake Malawi

After a good nights rest, we started the morning with breakfast and motor boating. The boat took the group to the island we had past on the sail boat the day before. The island looked similar to the Virgin Islands. The rocks soared out of the water to great heights but looking into the water you could see the rocks emerge from the earth. To take advantage of the situation we did some cliff jumping and snorkeling around the Island.  The picture above was taken of a friend and I helping local fishermen with their throw net the night before. Due to the risk of damaging cameras I didn't take one to the island.  After a half day on the lake, we drove back to Lilongwe to pack and do some last minute souvenir shopping. At this point I felt that Malawi was my home. It didn't sink in until later that night that we were flying back to the states the next day.

January 12, 2012 Departure for Lake Malawi

After a long week, we were rewarded with a trip to lake Malawi for some water activities. The camp we stayed at is involved in helping the surrounding villagers. Once we got settled in, we took the sail boat out on the lake for a tour around the island. Spending the afternoon sailing, swimming, and helping local fisherman catch small fish was a chance to enjoy the beauty of lake Malawi. The lake gifted us with some gorgeous weather. Experiencing this underdeveloped lake side makes you feel like you are in another world.

January 11, 2012 Mchezi Village Departure

The next morning, I woke up at 4:30am to the the sound of locals working outside. The family greeted me by my bedroom door to notify me breakfast had been served. The breakfast consisted of toast, boiled eggs, and popcorn.  After breakfast, I met back up with group and listened to everyone's diverse experiences. Thereafter, we started working on the maize mill project to finalize a few things. The CBO was assigned a few goals to help the process of writing a business plan. After the meeting, we loaded up in the van and as we drove away kids chased the van with cheers of joy. Our experience in the village made us all grateful for all those amenities we are accustomed to in America. Living in a hut with no electricity, bathroom, running water, air conditioning, or comfortable beds will make you appreciate everything you have in America. The ride back to World Camp was spent discussing our feelings and thought about the maize mill. Once we were back at World Camp, we were allowed some down time to sleep and rest. It was an awesome opportunity go shop or just daydream.

January 10, 2012 Mchezi Homestay

Today we drove to a small village for a home stay. Mchezi is more developed than most villages in Malawi, only because they have progressively worked to improve their community. The community established a "Community Based Organization" that educates people about HIV, they offer home based care for those infected with HIV, they maintain a pig/chicken farm, and teach early childhood development programs. The CBO is truly making a difference within the community.After spending numerous hours working with CBO members, we decided to help them create a plan for a maize mill. Meanwhile, we played with the kids and interacted with the community. Once it was time for business we sat down with the CBO and created a rough draft  pro forma income statement. The research revealed it was feasible to build and maintain a maize mill within the community. Within the group we all decided to establish an action plan to fund the operation. The CBO plans to use the profits from the maize mill to fund their community based programs. After we adjourned, we split ways and headed to our homes to experience Malawian living.

January 9, 2012 Studying around Lilongwe

After gaining a good nights rest, we were ready to venture out in Lilongwe to see the newly built city. Traveling to see President Banda's statue allowed us to learn about the Malawi government. The statue stood in front of a huge clock tower.A tour guide explained the quotes that were engraved into the statues foundation. After the short presentation, the guide led us to the top of the clock tower, which revealed some spectacular views. In a rush for time we headed back to World Camp to meet with a representative from The Jewish Heart for Africa. which is a non-profit organization that installs solar panels for villages to pump water from a bore hole. Malawians on a normal day walk several miles and pump for hours to retrieve a pale of water. Jewish Heart for Africa installs storage tanks to the bore hole to maintain a certain capacity of water. The system they offer helps locals access water quicker and more efficiently.

January 8, 2012 Leaving Zambia

Today, we gathered as a group for breakfast and spoke with managers of Croc. Valley Camp. The management informed us how Croc Valley Camp came to be. Interestingly enough, we learned that lodges like Croc Valley Camp helped boost the economy in Zambia. There is a increasing demand for lodges in Zambia due to the rising amount of tourist. After breakfast, we departed back to Malawi to prepare for our next day. The drive back allowed some valuable time to talk about our experiences on the Safari. Above: is a picture of the group when we stopped for a short break to capture the sunset in Zambia.

January 7, 2012 Zambia Croc Valley Lodge/Safari

After waking up and having breakfast, we loaded up for our morning tour. The trucks would seat 9 people comfortably, so we drove two. Depending on the time of day it was possible to see cats, but unfortunately that morning we didn't see any. On the contrary, we were grateful to see elephants, giraffes and wild hogs. After a four hour morning adventure, we made our way back to home-base. After enjoying a nutritious lunch we were able to kick back and relax. That evening we went out on out second drive and we saw a leopard upon entry to the National Park. The excitement was electrifying in the truck with a wild cat in our presence. There after, we were rewarded with the sight of lions, water bucks and multiple other animals. Driving back to the camp in the dark was a bit frightening because you are unaware of your surroundings. Once we were back in the camp from the night drive, we spent the night discussing our experiences thus far in Africa.

January 6, 2012 Traveling from Malawi to Zambia

After an intense beginning to our trip, we were due for a safari. We departed from Lilongwe to Zambia for a two day expedition. I was eager to see animals in their natural habitat. Once we reached the border of Malawi, we had to sign an exit form to leave the country, and an entry form to enter Zambia. The drive took 6 hours along a rough, muddy road to reach Croc Valley Lodge in Zambia. Once we arrived, there were monkeys swinging from trees, as well as, hippos and crocadiles relaxing in the river. Our sleeping quarters consisted of a three bed chalet in the open wild.

There was an elephant standing 25ft from where we were sleeping. I was amazed that these animals were roaming freely around the camp. Zambia is protected by National Parks, unlike the deforestation in Malawi. There were luscious green trees that stood high, something that you would see in a Disney movie. This was the start of an amazing two day adventure!

January 5, 2012 PermaCulture

Today we traveled to a "permaculture" site where neverendingfood.org teaches the community to have a diverse diet and crop. Hunger in Malawi is caused by a mono crop that only harvests once a year; a mono crop greatly reduces variety for proper nutrition. In January, people begin to run out of stored maize, as well as, Kwacha, to support their hunger needs. Permaculture is a growing movement to transform traditional farming techniques in Malawi to utilizing more plants to harvest multiple times a year. Neverendingfood.org educated our group on these hopeful methods to changing future threats on epidemic struggles.

January 4, 2012 (Wimbe Village)

The origins of this trip was based on an inspiring novel, "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind," by William Kamkwamba, which took place in Wimbe, a village we visited today. Most of the characters in the book still live in this village. Although we didn't meet William, the rest of his family were present and hospitable. The picture above was taken of William's father and I. The two wind towers in the background were built by William; a feat unmatched by anyone before in this area. To see where William grew up and how he overcame poverty was inspirational to all of us. The library where William checked out his books for study was nothing more than three book shelves with approximately 75 books, unlike what us American students are accustomed to. William's story proves anybody can overcome poverty and be successful in life if they have the willpower to do so.

January 3, 2012 The First Full Day in Malawi!

Today was the first full day we endeavored in Lilongwe. Waking up at five in the morning to the sound of people working was a culture shock. The sun rose, the light shed in over my bunk bed and into my tired eyes. Breakfast consisted of Malawian eggs and oatmeal. The eggs were fresh compared to America eggs. I gobbled them up as if I had never eaten eggs before. After breakfast, the group went to Old Town to draw geographical boundaries for the group's safety. Along the walk, we were also exposed to the culture for the first time. Currency was $1 USD  for 175 Kwacha at the bank, but we found a better offer. On the streets, the exchange rate with locals was 230 Kwacha or more for every American dollar. Figuring out how the people were able to beat the bank's exchange rate was puzzling; I didn't question the reasoning.

January 2, 2012 Arrival in Lilongwe, Malawi

After a long flight, we finally arrived in Lilongwe, Malawi. When I stepped off the plane, I took my first glance at a beautiful foreign land full of green luscious plants and blue skies as far as I could see. Upon entry into the airport, a visa form must be completed; they want to make sure I'm leaving when this trip is over. A short drive to "Area 3" of Lilongwe brought us to World Camp. Initial reactions were shocking. Malawians lived in mud huts with no running water or electricity. The culture immediately made me appreciate everything I had back in the states. Their standard of living is lower than the US, but they are more sustainable because they are dependent on fossil fuels for energy. Astonishingly, I fell in love with the way they lived, my trip was already amazing.

January 1, 2012 Departure from Greensboro Airport to Malawi, Africa

I just spent three amazing days with my brother. And I'll never be the same. Before departing from the Greensboro Airport in his home town, he taught me life lessons that will never be forgotten. Stepping outside of my comfort zone allows me to grow as a person. Seeing the world in another perspective is exactly what I needed. I had never been to Africa or on an airplane for twenty hours. But there I was, with a group of students from Appalachian State that I barely knew. Over the trip, I discovered this group of people, along with my brother, added to my transformation. The entourage flew from Greensboro, NC to Washington DC, then Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and arrived at our final destination, Lilongwe, Malawi. 28 hours later, my transformation hit another level.