The last few days were a blur! So much happened and things began to move so fast (as they always do). I apologize for not keeping everyone up to date as things happened. We arrived back from safari Wednesday and prepared for our last official night in the village. We unpacked and sat for dinner. After dinner we were treated to live music by two of Scott’s friends and Scotty himself. 3 acoustic guitars filled the evening with great music both songs we all knew and some Malawi favorites. In the first hour or so everyone had a chance to share their feelings about the trip and their experiences. I always love this because even though we all live in such close quarters for the 2 weeks its inevitable that you hear things from volunteers that you didn’t know they were feeling over the course of the trip. This experience tends to mean so many different things to each individual and no 2 experiences are the same. I had a small gift for each volunteer and since it was such a small group I was able to speak about each person individually as I presented them. Once that was through we sung and danced the night away! Shoes off and eventually the generator shut down and it was just us and moon light. We stayed up WAY to late and had such a great time.
The plan for Thursday was to spend one last day at Adziwa seeing the projects finalized. We also came with a bunch of little dresses and wanted to pass them out to the little girls that live just on the edge of the property where we stay. These little ones greet us each day as we walk to Adziwa and we really had become fond on them over the course of the past two weeks. After 5 weeks of them seeing me they had really started to depend on me being on that walk each day and if not on the walk they would see me pass in the car. All the waving and yelling of “Elleney Elleney!” Was such a big part of my own experience this time. I was so glad we would be able to leave those little ones a little something special. Sai was with us and he decided we should take the dresses to the girls parents house instead of just trying to give the directly to the girls. We walked into the small village and were immediately greeted by all the patents and children. We feverishly began pulling dresses from our bags and holding them up to the girls. Each girls face was just as precious as it could have been. Some of the girls were so happy with their new dresses they actually danced a little jig 😉 it took longer than we thought, but was well worth every moment. With that done we were off to cross the bridge and get to Adziwa.
To our surprise when we arrived the orphanage was filled with people and cars and busses. Not a usual sight at Adziwa. Turns out it was Nelson Mandela day and the high commissioner from the South African embassy was there (BMW with flags and all). She had organized a bunch of big sponsors to bring donations and commit to 67 minutes of community service at Adziwa in honor of Mr. Mandela. There were speeches and singing and of course lots of dancing. I was thrilled to see a big pile of donated food and blankets for the people there. This orphanage gets such little support and it was all things  that were so needed.
As the volunteers worked their 67 minutes the high commissioner wanted to see what projects I had been working on. I gave her a tour and showed her the stoves and the garden and then was able to explain what the people from PumpAid were doing on our behalf. The well was about 1/2 done at this point. We were told they would finish that day though. To my surprise during out little impromptu tour the madam high commissioner invited myself and the entire With Change In Mind team to her house for a luncheon that was happening right after the ceremony at Adziwa was done. I don’t think it would have appropriate to turn down that kind of invitation so off we went! I kind of had wished I had brushed my hair and slapped on a little extra deodorant, but oh well 🙂
The luncheon was held outside on her front lawn and was very nice. We were all just honored to have been invited. I never did get “her” name because people kept calling her “your excellency”. We had a few cold drinks and then to our surprise the minister of foreign affairs for Malawi made an appearance. He asked everyone in the crowd to stand and introduce ourselves and state which origination we were with. A pretty big deal (for me) to hear the words “with Change In Mind” come out of my mouth. Hard to explain I guess, but geeze this was just a little organization I came up with on my deck one night a few years ago 😉 pretty cool moment! We had to leave shortly after the buffet opened, but not so quickly that we didn’t all get a quick plate of food.
I went to the “head table” ( or chairs I guess) and thanked the high commissioner and the minister of foreign affairs and explained we were traveling in the morning so we had to leave. We actually spoke for a bit and both of them asked more about my projects and complimented the work my organization is doing in Malawi. They both invited me to their offices the next time I’m in Malawi 🙂 I almost did my own little jig 😉
Off we went to get packed up because we were all moving on up to the big lodge for our last night in Malawi. I was having a hard time believing it was time for this awesome adventure to end. Not just this last 2 week trip, but the entire 5 week saga! I had become quite comfortable in my little hut and felt a bit like I was leaving home. During this 5 week span my husband and I have sold our home and today (fingers crossed) while I fly back over the ocean he will be signing the papers on our new home. With all of that going on my little hut started to feel like “my home” or at least the only one I actually felt I had ownership of at the moment.
Before we left the village we gathered the staff and told them how much we had appreciated their service and kindness. We had some gifts and small tokens of appreciation. It was fun to get some pictures with all of them and hand out hugs. I felt like I had been with all of them for so long and I had come to know them all so well. Sad to say goodbye.
We went back to packing and getting ready to head out of the village for the last time.
Heather came by as I packed up the hut and took a sweet picture of me as I moved out. We all were excited to get up to the lodge and enjoy a hot shower and another great meal. We wanted to get a good nights slept so we would be fresh for the 30 plus hours of travel we all would depart for on Friday.  This group was extra excited because they had never stayed at the big lodge 😉
We didn’t have the bus so Scott said he would run us up in shifts on his car. Heather and I were ready first so we hopped in. I decide to drive since it would be my last opportunity 🙂 it’s been fun learning how to navigate the roads here in Malawi. Scott said it was good training so next year he can just give me the car and I can go on my own to meetings and to run errands if need be. I’m sure he gets a bit tired of shuttling me around.
Once we were all up at the lodge people did their own things. I think most wanted to organize luggage and shower and I’m sure there were a few naps. The lodge is peaceful and beautiful in its own special way. We had all grown to love the peace and beauty of the village, but this took things to a new level 🙂
I had a few meetings to attend to so I left Heather in the room ( we decided to share for our last night in Malawi). I spent a few hours tying up lose ends and just making sure everything was in order. Scott and I decided that we would have the team leave extra early for the airport so we could take one last stop at Adziwa and see if I the pump was done.
We all gathered for our “last supper”. Most were very tired since the night before went a little late. It was a nice dinner, the food was great and company wonderful. After dessert most shuffled off to bed. A few of us stayed up at the bar chatting and checking our email ( the lodge has free wifi).
The plan was breakfast at 7 and leave by 8. Stay tuned for a blog about our final trip to Adziwa and our sad goodbyes….