From London to Malawi

Landing in Lilongwe

So I arrived early afternoon yesterday after a very long journey which was relatively uneventful – I think that’s a good thing! I met a lovely Lady from Somalia on my flight from London to Nairobi. She was 74 and has had 9 children!!  We had 3 seats between the two of us so had a very comfortable flight! She insisted on immediately teaching me some Swahili, here in Malawi they speak Chichewa but learning wasn’t optional so I politely participated. I’ve learned already that it is much easier to go along with things then to try and justify why they are not necessary. She quickly took it upon herself to look after me and make sure I was comfortable. She had a very sweet nature and for the duration of the flight we became firm friends and parted ways with well wishes and hugs! I will always be grateful to her, boarding the flight I felt so sad to be travelling alone for the first time and leaving home, but she quickly had me laughing and back to my normal self!! After parting ways I went on to board my flight from Nairobi to Lilongwe.

When we were descending into Lilongwe I eagerly looked out of the window for my first view of the big capital….. it never came instead we landed in what I can only describe as a baron field with a runway. My first thought was OMG this must be some kind of cruel joke, but then for the first time it actually hit me, I am in Africa…Shit!

The airport was the smallest I’ve ever seen but as I later was informed the largest in Malawi!! I was soooo happy when I exited the airport and quickly spotted the VSO sign and Daniel one of the VSO employees. I have never felt so relieved. We had only had brief email contact prior to my departure but honestly you would think I had known him my whole life I was that happy to see him! Its funny how even the smallest amount of familiarity becomes so important when you are outside of your comfort zone!! 

So as we drove back to the VSO country office I was given some lessons on life in Malawi. I discovered that Lilongwe is divided into numbered areas and that I would be staying in area 10. This seemed important to learn for navigation purposes but when I learned area 10 is next to area 43 and there is no system to the numbering so I gave up. I have learned to just go with it very quickly. Nothing makes sense yet, but I’m sure in time I will begin to understand a little more.

The garden at VSO Malawi

After a short (hot) drive and a quick stop off to collect some keys we arrived at VSO Malawi, quite different to the VSO offices I have visited in London! Big iron gates, high walls, an electric fence and a guard…the words prison sprang to mind however I think its more to keep people out then people in… I hope!!

By the time I arrived I was completely desperate for a shower so jumped at the opportunity to do this straight away while lunch was prepared. Showering was an interesting experience. At first the water ran brown… but after a while turned clear. Then I noticed a huge daddy long legs (or African equivalent) in residence directly above my head and he kept moving threatening to come down on me. It also looked like it had some kind or large stinger, but this could have been my imagination running away with me! My shower was brief and not as refreshing as I had hoped with frequent threats to the spider to leave me alone and strong instincts to run away. When I was done I made a sharp exit and realized I had actually flooded the entire bathroom oppps, but a small victory for me the girl who is petrified of 8 legged beasts! Maybe this won’t be so bad.

Terrifying

Queue lunch. I felt a naïve momentary sense of excitement when I learned we were having fish and chips. Then I looked down at my plate and saw a dead fish eyes and everything. I had to withhold what would have been a very loud OMG and quite possibly tears. Instead I went with it, got over it and through fear of not wanting to appear rude ate it. And it was very tasty! I was told what type of fish it was but I think I was still in shock so wasn’t paying much attention, apparently its quite popular in Malawi so I’m sure I will encounter it again… yay! I was a little apprehensive after the cook asked what I wanted for dinner and I asked for chicken and could just imagine a dead bird on my plate! However dinner was served minus the feathers much to my delight!!!

My room for now

I decided to get a very early night as I knew today would be very packed. Which it has. I have had meetings with various members of the VSO team all of whom are lovely and very welcoming. I have also managed to get a sim card so will have my phone up and running very soon!!

I will be staying at the VSO office again tonight and then tomorrow I will meet my employers from Nkhoma college. I’m not sure what the plan is as it has changed numerous times through out the day… so I’m going with it!! I think I will be back here on Thursday and Friday. Here WIFI doesn’t seem to be too much of a problem which has been a relief! And I’m making the most of it!! Its nice to adjust slowly. I have realized that all I can do is take it one step at a time, one day at a time. I’m excited to start my placement but it may not be for a little while yet as I need to gain registration with the Nursing and Midwives Council Malawi (NMCM) first. However I feel really positive about it all. I’ve also learned I need to be patient I’m used to having everything now, but I know it will come in time. 

2 weeks to go.....

So in just 2 weeks i will be setting off to work for VSO in Malawi as a volunteer clinical midwife instructor!! My placement will require me to help train student midwives and I cannot wait. 

I have been living and working in East london for the past 4 years and have been very lucky to develop my practice as a midwife in a resource filled supportive environment. I've decided to volunteer because I feel its important to share the skills I have been fortunate enough to learn allowing new midwives to provide care to women that otherwise may have had to birth alone. 

I hope to use this blog as a means of sharing my experiences with everyone back home.... although i'm not sure if I will have internet... ha this may be my only post!! 

It has been a very long journey to get to this point. But in my preparations I feel I have learned some important lessons.....

1. Material possessions are just that and you can actually live quite happily without an excess amount of clothes etc Selling my things proved this as a lot of stuff was worth very little even though I had paid a lot for it!! 

2. I'm a little more organised then I give myself credit for... although if there is space for procrastination I manage to fill it! 

3. Leaving people behind will be HARD! I think i definitely underestimated how sad I would be to leave the people I love. Its so easy when you have a good network of people in place to take them for granted!!

4. Mentally preparing for going overseas takes time and i've just come around the idea that this will actually be happening now!! 

5. The NHS is amazing.... I knew this already but since starting on my volunteer journey it has really been reiterated to me. We are very fortunate in this country. 

Now I just really cannot wait to start my placement and have something more interesting to write about!! I've been talking about my placement so much it will be great to actually live it!! I'm excited to experience everything!!!!! 

My bags are filling up very quickly with all manner of things. I do believe in packing for all eventualities. I have managed to stay quite practical in that the majority of my luggage consists of teaching material and midwifery resources. However I did purchase a spider spray that promises to keep spiders at bay.... I think my will for this to work may just make it happen!! I'll let you know how I get on....