Welcome to Zomba!! I was in Zomba for a week attending a workshop organised by the Ministry of Gender, Women and Children where we are planning to develop a new curriculum for Early Childhood Development in Malawi. It was held just outside Zomba at Malawi Institute of Education (MIE) and on Monday I left very early in the morning and collected the District Social Welfare Officer from Mzimba to travel with me. It was good to have a travelling companion for the 10 hour drive. We arrived around 2 in the afternoon.
Although I did not manage to climb Zomba Mountain (we simply did not have a spare moment) this is the view from the top...fabulous!!
As you approach Zomba this is the view from the road of Zomba Mountain - it is a truly amazing sight, and one which I miss in Mzuzu which is relatively flat.
A path on the mountain where the woman have the difficult task of collecting firewood.
MIE is situated near lake Chilwa which is a small lake full of very delicious fish as we found out at the workshop! In the foreground of the picture you can see the fish drying in the sun.
A few colleagues at the workshop. On the left is a Curriculum specialist from MIE, in the middle is the acting Director of the Association of Pre-school Playgroups in Malawi (APPM) and on the right my travelling companion.
During lunch hour we had time to take a few photos. I think you recognise the one in the centre! The lady on the left is from the Ministry and Mary on the right is an old friend from Zomba who has been an advocate for Early Childhood Development longer than I have been in Malawi!
The workshop involved a lot of group work and debate and we had some lively dancing and singing sessions during the week!
The nice thing about going to Zomba is that I know it, having spent 11 years of my time in Malawi there. I took the opportunity to visit some old friends including the Makasu family. Ephraim began work with me as my gardener in 1995. He was an intelligent guy so gradually he upgraded his education and is now a Pastor in Zomba. He also works at ZTC Pre-school where I was the director. It was great to catch up with the Zomba news and to see how the family are growing up.
The eldest boy Hope wants to be a pilot when he grows up (not with Air Malawi I hope!!). Its great that he has ambition, he was showing me his school report and its really good, so I hope he achieves his goal in life. Look at the lovely smiles on the boys faces!!
This coming week, its back to work in Mzuzu. We are conducting a training course for 2 weeks with APPM for caregivers, so I will be co-ordinating that during the week along with lots of other duties. I am also excited as I have some friends coming to stay this week so that is something to look forward to. I just pray that I will have time off to spend with them!
Wishing you a wonderful week
Blessings
Diane
Hi Di
ReplyDeleteJust had to add a comment so you know I read the blog!! Lovely to see pictures of Zomba and very glad to hear you had company for the long drive. Hope you manage to have some free time this week.
Mox