18 March 2018
Finally I’m here. After 24 hours of travel and three stops in the Netherlands, Kenya and Mozambique, I arrived in Lilongwe. It is warm, colourful and exhausting. The cultural shock kicked in on the way from the airport to the city. People are walking in the streets and many of them want to sell you something. If there are any rules for the traffic at all, I still haven’t figured them out after three weeks. But it seems that the mini buses are somehow allowed to do whatever they want.
Despite all these new, stunning, confusing things to get used to, there also are countless things that make me love this country: The friendliness of the people is amazing, the colours of the fabrics are beautiful and the food with fresh vegetables from the market is delicious.
My first days at the project are already over as well. The way to get there is a bit difficult, but after a few tries, I can finally make it on my own. My commute takes me from Area 18 to the center of Lilongwe. From there I have to take a mini bus to Chinsapo, where the project is located. Here you experience a completely different world than in the city center: Many children do not go to school in this part of Lilongwe and it is obvious that there is a lot of poverty in this part of town. Once in the project, you find yourself in a small oasis again. With a small lawn and two benches right in front of the house and corn in the garden you immediately feel that this is a safe place where you want to spend your time. I can understand why the women like being here so much. I was welcomed very friendly, although most women were rather shy. There is a happy atmosphere and everyone enjoys their work. I was able to look at the beautiful bags, jackets and dresses, and got a first look into the work of Taste of Malawi.
Now I’m curious what’s next, how it is to work with the women and their children, and what exciting stories are waiting for me here in Malawi.
Fun fact: “Be here at nine” does not mean „Be here at nine“, but rather „It’s ok if you arrive around ten“. And mostly I’m still the first to arrive then.
Zurück zur ÜbersichtBack to overview