From the Field: Sean and Emily Mark

Meet a few more of the remarkable individuals working on our unique projects in Malawi!

PhD candidate Curriculum & Instruction for Social Studies

Emily Mark

• Who are you? Emily Mark
• How did you get connected with World Camp? I volunteered in 2009 for Summer Session 2. I found World Camp after googling 'teach HIV/AIDS education in Africa.' I've known for awhile that I wanted to come back, because it was such a great experience the first time.
• What is the purpose of your current trip to Malawi?  How did you get involved in it? I'm in Malawi now to do research on volunteers and their experiences for my PhD. I'm attending graduate school at the University of Missouri, and thought that World Camp would be a great opportunity to learn how American students learn about others during study abroad.
• What is a typical day like for you in the field? I don't have a typical day. Some days it's interviews, some days it's meetings, some days it's just sitting and doing research and reading up to prepare for an interview or meeting. And sometimes I get to visit one of the schools, and a have a lot of fun playing with kids, and talking with teachers and community members. Everyone is incredibly kind, and so it's always enjoyable.
• What are your initial thoughts on your stay?  Have you been to Malawi before? I'm having even more fun the second time around. I'm better at Chichewa (which is not much), I love going to shop for fruits and vegetables at the market, and I've had better conversations with people from Malawi because I understand things better. I've also been better at listening, and asking more in-depth questions about how things work, current events (Joyce Banda, kwacha devaluation), special events (Malawi vs Chad in football. Go Malawi!), and the like. Best conversations.
• What’s the best meal you've had while in Malawi? John's enchiladas. And then John's banana bread. If I could have his enchiladas AND banana bread in one meal, I might explode.
• What do you hope to take away from your visit to Malawi? Some great memories of having fun with friends, seeing new places, and learning more about Malawian culture. Also research results. I'd really like to graduate. :)
• What is one fun/interesting fact about yourself? I just got married in Hawaii in October.
• Outside of World Camp, what are your interests? Traveling, cooking,watching movies, my research/grad school, having conversations  (with friends AND strangers--I am from Missouri, we talk to everyone).
• What would you say to someone who’s interested in volunteering with World Camp? You will make friends, learn about yourself, and hopefully understand a  little more about the world and the different contexts in which people live. It's worth it.

Sean Mark

Sean and Program Coordinator, Karen Clark working in the field.

• Who are you? Dr. Sean Mark (from Seattle, WA)
• How did you get connected with World Camp? My wife, Emily, volunteered with World Camp in 2009.
• What is the purpose of your current trip to Malawi?  How did you get involved in it? My purpose for being in Malawi this summer is to conduct research for World Camp to better understand the needs of the communities in which we are working so that we can serve the communities in the best way possible, and to create a framework for monitoring and evaluating our program over the next three years.
• What is a typical day like for you in the field? My field days involve interviews with key stakeholders in communities, such as headmasters of schools, community-based organization key members, and important community leaders (the traditional authority).
• What are your initial thoughts on your stay?  Have you been to Malawi before? This is my first time in Malawi. People here are incredibly friendly--among the top three friendly countries in the world that I've visited. The best experience is going into a village and meeting all of the smiling children.
• What’s the best meal you've had while in Malawi? John's enchiladas on the first night we got here! A great way to welcome us to Malawi.
• What is one fun/interesting fact about yourself? I've been to 76 countries, and I've worked in six.
• Outside of World Camp, what are your interests? Travel, watching movies, skiing,diving and surfing, spending time with my family
• What would you say to someone who’s interested in volunteering with World Camp? It would be a great way to experience village life in Africa

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.