world news: current events from Malawi

Here are some exciting news stories out of Malawi - check them out!

Joyce Banda changing the lives of mothers across Malawi
Ever since her launch of the Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health and Safe Motherhood project, Malawian president Joyce Banda has taken many steps to improve the lives of mothers across the country.  In May, Banda laid the foundation stone at the Maternity Waiting Home at the Mulanje District Hospital.  Banda informed her country that more Maternity Waiting Homes will be built across Malawi and under the presidential initiative, 50 nurses and midwives will be trained to reduce the pregnant mother to health personnel ratio.  Maternity Waiting Homes will provide a place for safe delivery for babies and their mothers.   In June, Banda pledged to donate solar powered lamps to maternity wings in public hospitals across Malawi.  If the power goes out in these hospitals, many doctors and nurses must resort to using candles for light.  Banda has also promised a new power generator to the Dowa District Hospital where she made her first donation of solar powered lamps.  Banda’s recent efforts will surely make a difference in the lives of many Malawian mothers.

Sources: http://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi/2012/05/30/jb-lays-foundation-stone-for-maternity-waiting-home/
http://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi/2012/06/02/jb-donating-solar-lamps-to-public-hospitals/

International Aid to Malawi restored
As of June 23rd, the United States has reinstated a $350 million aid package to Malawi in recognition of political reform that has taken place. The Millennium Challenge Group, a U.S. agency that distributes aid around the world, said the funds had been originally disbanded a year ago as a result of anti-government protests. Specifically, this U.S. agency cited a lack of good governance as well as human rights violation charges against Malawi. The Millennium Challenge Group says President Joyce Banda’s initiatives to address these issues have restored confidence in the nation. Banda has also pledged to work towards strengthening relationships with international donors. These newly restored funds will go towards refurbishing Malawi’s energy sector.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) echoed these sentiments earlier this week by sending Malawi a “letter of comfort,” which opened the path for donors to provide aid to Malawi. The IMF has also praised the current administration for its continued efforts towards reform. In fact, the International Organization has proposed a higher access to aid resources to address critical current economic issues within Malawi. In response to the positive affirmations, Banda commented:  “IMF recognizes that my government has inherited a very difficult economic situation but nevertheless the government under my leadership has made specific measures that demonstrate our commitment to economic governance and particularly, our intention to get back on track with IMF.”

Sources: http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/23/world/africa/malawi-us-aid/index.html?iref=allsearch
http://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi/2012/06/22/imf-gives-malawi-comfort-letter-to-open-aid-taps/?cp=2

From the Field: Meet Wynndee Reese

Wynndee, pictured on the right

This summer, we have several remarkable individuals working on our unique projects in Malawi.  With all our new programs happening, we wanted to take a moment and share some of the great experiences and amazing work:

Meet Wynndee Reese:
Tell us a little about you. My name is Wynndee. I am from Chicago, IL. I am currently a senior at Connecticut College majoring in Anthropology, minoring in Traditional Medicine and Biomedicine in Africa, while completing my pre-medical requirement in order to attend Medical School. I am also a Goodwin-Niering Center for the Environment Scholar and will be completing a project focusing on the importance and implementation of Environmental Science education.

How did you get connected with World Camp? I became connected after my major adviser, Prof. Catherine Benoit, suggested I consider World Camp because of interest in medicine and environmental education. She also told me of her former student, Katie Sacca, completing the program and loving it.

What is the purpose of your current trip to Malawi?  The purpose of my current trip is to complete an independent project through World Camp. I will be working closely with the Mchezi Community Based Organization. While here I will be working with their Hygiene and Sanitation initiative, Home Based Care program, and the World Camp Club at Mchezi.

What is a typical day like for you in the field? A typical day consists of me arriving in Mchezi, having any necessary logistic or informational meetings in the morning, then completing a two hour workshop on topics such as HIV/AIDS, Malaria, or How To Care for Patients. After the workshops we discuss next week's workshop agenda and any questions that they may have. Depending on the day of the week, I will either go on to work on the Hygiene and Sanitation Initiative or work with the World Camp Club discussing environmental projects.

What are your initial thoughts on your stay - Have you been to Malawi before? I have not been to Malawi before but I can say that I have met some of the kindest and most generous people here. Everyone is so eager to assist you with anything you might need or even to just say hello.

What’s the best meal you've had while in Malawi? The best meal I've had in Malawi would have had to be at Agogo's house. She made us a wonderful meal consisting of nsima, red beans, and a cabbage and mustard relish. It was fantastic, she also made rice for me in case I did not like nsima but her concerns were unfounded because I thoroughly enjoyed it.

What do you hope to take away from your visit to Malawi? From my visit in Malawi, I hope to take away a broader understanding of the human condition and how we as humans adapt to change and influence.

Outside of World Camp, what are your interests? My interests outside of World Camp include basketball (spectating, not playing) reading, re-reading the LOTR trilogy, mint chocolate anything, and learning!

What would you say to someone who’s interested in volunteering with World Camp? Just do it. Let the idea of volunteering with World Camp consume you until it is your reality. That's what I did and I haven't looked back.

Alumni: Where are they now?

This week, World Camp is highlighting an alumni who's passion has kept her working with World Camp long after her trip to Malawi. Check out Jenny Reiner and how she is helping the World Camp family:

Hi, my name is Jenny Reiner and I am serving as the Boston Area Representative for the summer. Since volunteering with World Camp in 2010, I have realized how strongly I feel about promoting awareness of health inequities and developing ways in which communities can strengthen and implement change.  I learned about WC through Karen Clark (the best coordinator!), who was a fellow classmate at Colby College. As a recent graduate of Colby, I am looking to gain more experiences within the public health field, especially in nonprofit organizations.
I think what has inspired and motivated me to stay involved with World Camp is how passionate I feel towards World Camp’s mission. When I was in Malawi, I was struck by how WC used education as a vehicle for change within Malawian communities.  My favorite part of the curriculum was when all of the classes performed a presentation for the village community on what they had learned.  It was such a unique experience to be part of a community assembly that openly discussed taboo subjects, such as how to care for someone with HIV/AIDS.  Involving the community made me realize how our discussions transcended the walls of the classroom and made a difference in the community.
As an area representative, I am helping to maintain alumni relations and increase the volunteer base. Currently, I am reaching out to colleges and universities in the Boston area to increase awareness of the internship opportunities through WC.  It’s been fun to share my past experiences in Malawi with prospective interns and to help get more people involved with WC.  I’m very pleased with the direction in which WC is moving.  Since I volunteered in 2010, they have made many curriculum changes and have formed vital partnerships with the field assistants.  I think that collaborating with Malawian field assistants will enable WC to better understand the realities of Malawian communities and will foster a curriculum that will have a long-lasting impact.
Besides my work at World Camp, I worked with elementary students in Maine to learn about their perceptions of nutrition, along with the role that schools play in fostering a healthy environment.  This project exposed me to the challenges that children from low-income families face in leading healthy lives.  At Colby, I was also a member of the Women’s Swimming and Diving team and served as mentor in the program, Colby Cares About Kids.
I can’t wait to get more updates from the WC staff currently in Malawi and I dream of going back to Lilongwe some day! (maybe for some of John’s delicious chocolate cake…or the infamous WC no bake cookies!). If there are any WC Alumni in the Boston area that would like to stay in touch or know of anyone who may be interested in being involved with World Camp, please let me know! I’m available by email at reiner.jen@gmail.com.  Thanks!

flag day: out with the new - in with the old

In honor of today’s holiday, Flag Day, World Camp is highlighting the beautiful flag of Malawi.

Mutharika’s flag on left; Original flag on right

The original flag, adopted in 1964 when Malawi reached independence, featured three horizontal stripes of green, red, and black, with a red rising sun on the top black stripe.  The black represents African heritage; red, the blood of martyrs struggling for independence; and green, the land of Malawi.  The rising sun represents the dawn of hope and freedom for all of Africa.

In 2010, past president Bingu Wa Mutharika altered the Malawian flag despite much public protest.  The Mutharika administration changed the flag to feature a full white sun placed in the center of the flag, which represents the economic progress Malawi has made since independence.  The order of the colored stripes were also changed to closer resemble the Pan-African layout.

Changing the Malawian flag came at a massive cost to the country.  The Mutharika administration spent nearly 3 billion kwacha, roughly US$565,000, changing the layout of the flag.  Official stationery, new flags, stickers, and other official items distributed to embassies, offices, and the private sector had to be changed, forcing Malawi to spend unnecessary amounts of money.

One of President Joyce Banda’s first orders of business, once inaugurated, was to present a bill to Parliament requesting the Malawi flag be restored to its original post-independence design.  President Banda said “the decision to revert to the old flag was arrived upon observing that the process to change the present flag did not involve adequate national consultation and participation by Malawians.”  Parliament, agreeing with Banda, passed the bill in late May.  Now, to the joy of many Malawians, the flag is restored to its original splendor and to many, better represents the history and identity of Malawi.


Sources:
http://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi/2012/05/28/malawi-parliament-approves-to-revert-to-original-flag/
http://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi/2012/05/30/dpp-govt-blew-k3bn-on-flag-change/

from the office: Summer interns!

They’re a big force behind World Camp's success and we think you should know a bit about them - meet our Summer interns!

Lisa:

Where's your hometown?

I was born and raised in Charlotte, NC.

How did you end up at World Camp?

Michelle and I heard about World Camp through two of our sorority sisters: Nicole Bradley, who traveled with World Camp to Malawi last summer, and Morgan Nirenstein, who worked as an intern in World Camp’s office in Asheville last summer.  They both sang praises for World Camp, so I had to check it out.

Michelle on the left, Lisa on the right

What do you do when you're not busy at World Camp?

I love spending time with my friends.  A lot of times, we rent movies and lounge around.  I am into any genre of movie, as long as it is watched with great friends!  Also, I’m in the process of looking for a new place to live, so I’ve been house hunting throughout Asheville.  It feels like a part-time job!

What aspect of World Camp are you most passionate about?

I am most inspired by World Camp’s Camp Hope.  I think it is so important that HIV positive youth have an optimistic outlook on life.  Not only are the children offered education on HIV treatment, but they are also provided with strong support networks and positive role models.  Offering support to these children is so motivating to me.

What's your favorite thing to do in Asheville?

Eat!  Asheville has the most delicious food!  They take southern food to a whole different level, giving traditional foods an Asheville twist.   Some of my favorite places are Tupelo Honey, Early Girl Eatery, and Circle in the Square Pizza.

What has been your favorite thing to work on at World Camp so far?

One of my first tasks at World Camp was to organize information sent from Malawi via photographs into a massive spreadsheet.  The photos featured large posters filled with information about the schools connected with World Camp in the Malikha Zone of Malawi.  I was able to learn a lot about these specific schools, including student demographics, infrastructure, and the needs of each school.  This may not sound like a fun task, but I am obsessed with organizing things, so this was perfect!

What your hopes for the future of World Camp?

I would love to see World Camp expand to other countries in need.  I know that World Camp previously had service learning internships in India and Honduras.  To see these programs resume, and also begin in other countries, would be incredible.

Michelle:

Where's your hometown:

Born in Maryland, but raised in Raleigh, North Carolina

How did you end up at World Camp:

Lisa and I have a sorority sister that went to Malawi with World Camp and she absolutely loved it, and another one of our sisters interned here before. I guess we're following in the Alpha Xi Delta tradition of working with World Camp! 

What do you do when you're not busy at World Camp:

I like to spend time with my friends. We've gotten really into grilling out this summer. I'm also training for a half marathon again so I’m trying to get back in the swing of things.

What aspect of World Camp are you most passionate about:

I think World Camp and I share a passion of development through education. I think it’s the most sustainable way to make substantial changes. The idea of empowering people through education is golden. That’s why I am so thrilled to be working here! 

What's your favorite thing to do in Asheville:

Well this is my first summer in Asheville, so I’ve been trying to immerse myself in the summer culture! Whether it’s hanging out by the pool, Downtown After Five, the drum circle, or grilling at the Bywater, I’m open to suggestions! I’m excited to see all the festivals Asheville has in store this summer as well.

What has been your favorite thing to work on at World Camp so far:

I enjoyed working on a project about Home-Based Care in Malawi for someone in the field. I didn’t know much about the topic, so it was interesting learning more about the culture and traditions of Malawi.

What your hopes for the future of World Camp?

I just hope that World Camp can continue to grow and expand over the years to serve as many as possible and continues to bring about positive change in the world. It’s just a great cause so I hope more and more people get involved and “the word” about World Camp continues to spread. Also, Lisa and I also hope to get 1,500 likes on Facebook by the end of the summer!