Tomorrow we are on the Move again!

Hi to all of our faithful followers

as you all know tonight is our last night in Lilongwe and tomorrow we move on to Mvuu to experience the next part of our trip - "safari".

As you will see from the blog our cultural day at Chipasula School today went down a treat. With minimum resources we managed to give the Malawians a true taste of Scotland. We decorated the hall with Scottish flags and bunting - which strangely disappeared - and treated the Africans to a beaut of a rendition of The Bonny Banks of Loch Lomond and Dash & White sergeant to - 500 Miles!! I am pretty sure they thought we were off our trolly - oh talking of trolleys - the blooper of the week goes to Kirsty - I witnessed her today try to negotiate a shopping trolley through the turnstile in the supermarket?? At first I thought she knew something about Malawi shopping trolleys that the rest of us didn't - but I soon realised that she was just not thinking straight after the emotional farewells we had experienced at the school. ( Bob & Janet - just don't let her loose in Tesco's too soon on return)

The funniest moment of the week goes to : Chloe, Danielle & Caitlin who took to the stage like a scene from the Generation Game - to learn traditional Malawi Dances - in front of hundreds of spectators. What a hoot!! The rest of us watched in complete hysterics as they attempted to wiggled their touches in true Malawian fashion. Priceless!! We all agree they have found their vocation.

The most selfish moment of the week goes to : Mr McLennan who secretly bought doughnuts from himself, Mark, Donut & Knox our driver without given one minutes thought to the females in the group. He will never live it down - especially as he was preparing a healthy eating stall at the time!!

Most useful item brought by a pupil : 100 keyrings that Kirsty's parents patiently put together with Malawi flag on one side and St Andrew Cross on the other.

On a more serious note - we left Chipasula Secondary School today feeling pretty emotional and in no doubt of the lasting legacy our visit had left. Not only did we leave behind a full bag of sports equipment, including strips - but more importantly lessons, morals, ideas, role models and much, much, more that will enable the young people and Teachers in Malawi to improve their health & well being in the future. Our fundraising and efforts over the past year or so to make this trip possible had all been worth it.

The young people of Malawi showed their appreciation in many ways, none less than the humbling thank-you letters that both Judith & Dayne received from a young boy who told them he had learn't so much from them both and assured them that although he knew it would not be easy " when you are not here I will make sure that the team will continue from where you stopped. In the end Chipasula is now equipped with a vast range of skills & experience." Peer assessment indeed.

The trip continues - we are unsure when we will next have internet access. If and when possible we will continue to update the blog.

until then enjoy the photos and be in no doubt that all of your young folk have done you and us proud in Malawi. Mobile phone arrangements as before.

regards Eliz, Sheena & Calum