Current Events in Malawi

Current Events in Malawi

 

Nurses' Strike Causes Tension in Malawi

The Health Services in Malawi, within the past week, have experienced several disturbances by nurses and staff members of public hospitals and health facilities. These civil servants are threatening to strike if government does not address issues presented to them. Hospital and health employees are asking for an increased salary to meet the rising costs of living in Malawi, as well as improved working conditions. The Civil Servants Trade Union has asked other “essential services” to join in this strike, which could affect the ninety percent of Malawians that use public hospitals and medical facilities. Even without the current tensions, medical attention is spread thin within Malawi. According to the World Health Organization, as of May 2012, there are only 2 physicians and 38 nurses per 100,000 populations.

The Government of Malawi, however, seems confident that the two parties can reach “mutually satisfactory resolutions,” according to an Education Ministry official. Yet these civil servants have gained the support of the National Organization of Nurses and Midwives of Malawi (NONM), who said they would join the protest if these needs were not met within the next week. 

Nyasa Times story

WHO Stats on Malawi

Education Bill Opposition: Parliament Calls for More Scrutiny

Earlier this week, Parliament was presented with the Education Bill, which introduced free and compulsory primary education throughout Malawi, more teachers to match the increasing demand of education, and advocated the creation and implementation of education councils to regulate education systems as well as manage and run schools. Despite its positive attitude towards Malawi’s education system, a majority of Parliament opposed the Bill.

While this initiative was appreciated by Parliament, members emphasized the need for “infrastructure development” and acquiring educational materials to accommodate a compulsory education system. Adequate resources to support and sustain improvements suggested in the Education Bill must be addressed first. One Member of Parliament (MP) stated on Monday that how education is provided should be addressed first, with a special emphasis on infrastructure, accessibility, and measures for parents to send their children to school. Other concerns included the potential of regional councils to negatively affect the national standards without proper oversight.

Further discussion of the bill is to take place this week and if passed, will replace the 1962 Education Act.

Nyasa Times story

 

 

Zikomo, Volunteers!

Recognizing the Dedication of Our Volunteers

Today, Dec 5th is International Volunteer Day for Social and Economic Development. In honor of the many volunteers who have made our organization what it is we would like to say thank you.

We thought it would be nice to celebrate this day by featuring some thoughts our volunteers have shared about WC and Malawi in 2012.

 

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.

Wynddee Reese (6/26/2012)

My time in Malawi was an amazing, humbling, eye-opening experience. It always makes the world seem a little bit smaller whenever you travel somewhere new and see that apart from the differences, we all have a lot of similarities.

Caitlin Sheffield (2/23/2012)

World Camp has transformed who I am as a teacher because I understand and value the need for global education.

Elizabeth Smith (4/5/2012)

I have been in Malawi with World Camp for almost a week now and couldn’t be happier with my stay! I heard about World Camp through a friend who attended a few years ago. It has always been my dream to make it to Africa, and after seeing her pictures and hearing about the experiences she had, I signed up. I was a little nervous coming here not knowing anyone and especially about going to a foreign country that I knew little about, but I feel very at home and safe here.

Donna Stegall (7/17/2012)

It was a fun, challenging week and I think that we learned as much from the students as they did from us. It is always bittersweet leaving a village or a school, as you are exhausted and happy to be able to rest, but all the while the kids are opening up and telling you how much they will miss you. We finished off Thursday afternoon with these mixed feelings, but they quickly subsided as the excitement for our upcoming safari began to take hold.

Mark Nelson (1/16/2012)

While homestay was hard at times, learning about and experiencing the culture was invaluable. Teaching was highly rewarding as well. Knowing that I impacted my students’ lives, even in a small way, was a wonderful ending to the week. I left the village looking forward to more teaching next week as well as a hot shower and a good burger over the weekend!

Laura Duff (7/24/2012)

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.

Jenny Reinier (6/21/2012)

Describe the people of Malawi in 5 words?

I've never felt so popular.

If you could go back to Malawi what would you want to do there?

 First stop off the plane, I would need to go visit John and Ngoni and have a nice bowl of nsima (somehow I miss it!).

Did WC influence the education or career path you chose - if so how?

Yes.  Prior to visiting Africa, I had just received my degree in business and had very different career prospects.  My trip to Africa helped me realize that I wanted to focus my career on giving back -- whether it be to those in need abroad or within our own country.

Molly Cohen (4/19/2012)

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 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.

Jenny Reinier (6/21/2012)

What is your favorite experience from Malawi to tell your friends about?

I will never forget getting out of the truck at the very first school and being a little intimidated.  All the students were staring at us and we just stared right back at them.  We walked out to the field and did our morning songs and games.  I remember watching all the other volunteers and everyone was a little shy, including myself.  I didn’t feel like any of us were fully present in the experience.  We were just trying to take everything in.  Within a few hours, after we worked with our classes, all the volunteers and students came back to the field for closing songs and activities.  The energy had completely changed and everyone had completely let go of inhibitions and we were so present in the moment.  We were all dancing with the kids, singing and having the best time.  It was amazing how quickly the dynamic changed and how we all connected so well to one another.

Megan McInturff (4/11/2012)

I’m so happy to have spent the last few weeks in Malawi as an intern with World Camp; I
have had such an incredible experience so far and have met so many people that I
will never forget. Malawi truly deserves its title as the “Warm Heart of Africa.”

It’s amazing how fast time flies here. We spent last weekend at South Luwanga
National Park in Zambia camping with hippos and chasing leopards. No kidding!
Our safari trip managed to exceed my already VERY high expectations.

There really is no other way to describe the experience than as once-in-a-lifetime. However, as much as I loved Zambia, I was definitely excited to get started with our third group of learners
and to meet our latest homestay families back in Malawi!

Layne Schwab (8/8/2012)

It seems like a lifetime ago we all sat together at the airport for the first time, awkwardly introducing ourselves. We’ve come a long way since then, we’ve met so many remarkable people, seen some astonishing sights, and been inspired by so many stories. We’ve grown, learned, inspired and changed, and of course learned some really great dance moves along the way.

Cara Saunders (1/31/2012)

It almost seems as if we have come full circle, except instead of ten strangers trying to get to know each other it is ten close friends saying their last goodbyes to everything that only a short time ago was completely foreign. As a group, we have gone through more together in these four weeks than most friends do in years

… how great our time here in Malawi was. It serves as a reflection - time to think about all of our experiences that we have had together. I feel honored that I was able to participate in this wonderful program with nine phenomenal people. I will cherish the moments we have all had together for a lifetime and I do believe all of us will be lifelong friends.

I’m feeling magical!

Maysam Ashktorab (8/14/2012)

World Camp Clubs

New Programming: World Camp Clubs

In early November we introduced World Camp’s new geographic focus, the Malikha Zone. We’re working hard to initiate sustainable programs and interventions for locally challenging issues.

Students and youth are a key part of any and all solutions taking place as they are future leaders, members of their community, and a massive force for change! They have a vested interest in the wellbeing of their communities and neighbors, and should be involved in community development projects.

To this end, World Camp will establish a World Camp Clubs (WCC) at each of the 11 primary schools in Malikha Zone (and we’ve already done so at the five schools we visited in 2012!). These clubs foster and encourage youth activism and involvement in community projects that address issues such as deforestation, stigma surrounding HIV positive patients, youth rights, and community infrastructure.

Liwera World Camp Club members

Each WCC is led by two teachers and at least five students elected by their peers. The addition of elected student leaders fosters youth ownership, responsibility, ability, and power; something that can be lacking in many of the communities we visit. In September, Teacher Mentors went through training to equip them with the basic knowledge of encouraging student activism, budgeting, reporting to WC, planning effective outreach activities, and many other skills! WC will continue to work with Teacher Mentors every month to provide support, answer questions, facilitate idea sharing, and encourage Zone-wide events. Additionally, WC will visit each Club at least once a month during one of their meetings to check-in on logistics, observe discussions, and provide on-site support.

In the few short months since their inception, WCCs have been a huge success: Mkhoma WCC planted 40 trees in their community to combat deforestation and Liwera WCC participated in a quiz to show off their knowledge of HIV (see the video here!). All five Clubs have developed detailed action plans for the 2012-2013 school year to ensure continued progress, and we can’t wait to see where the students of Malikha Zone take this project!