To start at the nice, late time of 10am, I went to nearby Bwanje to make good on a promise to visit the families of two Form 1 students, Eric and Jefully (Malawianized Jeffrey). It wasn't a short journey, especially since I failed to get my bike in working order and so had to walk long distances on dirt paths - estimated total today is around 18 km (yes, wearing a longish skirt the entire time under the Malawian sun). The plan was to see both boys' fathers and then head back to SV in time for a wedding in Ching'amba village just past Alicia's house. The boys, being boys, didn't inform me that lunch was to be part of the deal and that they were planning on hosting Madam for the whoooole day. Until dark? The previous visit, we were so late we failed to find me transport for the 7km back to SV since we arrived at the tarmac road after dark, so I ended up spending that night at Jen K's house. But this time I was smarter! But because the boys didn't plan well this time, the day was somewhat rushed so that the only part doen properly was lunch, which was served to me three times (!).
Poor planning aside, seeing both boys' fathers was an amazing opportunity to observe thestark difference that education makes here in Malawi. Though he is physically handicapped by blindness, the father of Jefully is well-mannered, intelligent, interesting, and devoted to the quality of his child's education - and it shows in the sharpness of Jefully's questions about America and in his success in using English. Eric's father, while friendly and welcoming, did not take the bait on my invitations to conserve about anything - his job, his kid, food, farming - the usual topics that can lure a diatribe out of nearly any Malawian. And though Eric's a sweet kid, good with his infant brother and respectful to me, he is much more slow to the point in school and isn't very inquisitive about things, other than trying to elicit more promises that I will visit him again (or bring my parents awy out into the sticks when they come to Malawi, fingers xed!). Upon asking the dads about their own educations, the correlation/cause became quite clear.The father of Jefully completed primary schooling at a nearby school for the blind and went on to do a free, American correspondence course (based in Illinois) for his secondary education. Eric's father only stayed in school through standard 4 due to illness - and he was the firstborn. J's father showed off his education and especially his connections to American technology, politics and culture, but he also used the time wisely by asking me about important issues concerning his child's education at SV. We discussed the bursary scheme for need scholarships, the lack of parental involvement and the potential for it, and the lateness of school reports and where that responsibility lies. To contrast, Eric's father's reply when asked what his son should do after graduating school was only that "he'll decide by himself." Sure, that's a great idea -- especially when there are so few good examples around to follow! I guess that's where I step in and work some career counseling magic.
Other cool things about my visit were seeing Malawians - father & son - operate a typewriter and learning about how a Braille machine works. That was the first time I have -ever- seen Braille communication in action, and how cool that a Malawian was the one to show me! You hear that it's much harder for disabled folk to live a full life in developing countries so all the more power to a man who has enabled himself to participate in the world around him. He also read aloud for me a speech by Obama on international politics and religion from a Christian magazine - recent, relevant stuff! And way more interesting than the news clippings on Madonna that the bwanas are always showing me. Oh, in case you're behind the times, she now has 2 adopted kids from Dowa district: David and Mercy. Mercy happens to be one of the most popular and one of my favorite names for girl children here (it's Chifundo in Chichewa). A few other good ones are Memory and Madalitso (which means blessings).
The big point I took home from my trip was a reaffirmation of what a difference education can make to the lives of children here. Seeing its effect in adults maps out for me the two divergent paths my students will find themselves on in a few short years. It is within my power to guide them to the better path, sow knowing that, there is no choice but to soldier on and to do all I can to that aim. Those are the rewarding days that remind me why I am here in Malawi and provide the fuel needed to keep on swimming against the tide when things get tough.
Wedding I went to after the trip to Bwanje: Alicia's neighbor Mr. Liwonde dances his money into the collection bucket
1 comment:
Interesting commentary on your visits. I think that you would find that this scenario is globally played out, no matter what country you live in. I always found that parents who took an interest in their child's education did well and those parents who ignored their children's education, in general, did poorly. On the other hand, Malawi is still and agrarian society and the need for advanced education may not seem economically relevant to most Malwians.
Post a Comment