Aug 8 Update, the amazing Rose Denga

Thanks for all of your updates, and notes of encouragement - it is great to hear from my friends back home, and, as much as you think your news is not as exciting as mine, let me reassure you that is those little pieces of news from home that keeps the homesickness at bay (it must be working, not a hint of it yet!!)

Mrs Rose Denga

Since my last note, I have visited two of our Epicentres - one brand new and not yet in operation, and last Friday a more established and functional site. Both have been the highlights of the trip so far. I tag along when one of my THP colleagues has a need to visit, and while there, I wander around, meet people, photograph and video them, and try to capture something of their stories. On Friday I met Rose (photo attached). She is a 60 yr old woman (that in itself is quite unusual) who is HIV/AIDS positive (doubly amazing). She lost her husband to AIDS quite a few years ago, and lost one of her eyes 2 year ago. Four of her 6 children are still alive (again, this seems unusually high), of which two live with her. She has been the recipient of a "farm input loan", where she receives enough grain and fertilizer to plant an acre of maize corn (remember, no farm tools here, just work with your hands!). With the maize she yielded, she paid back the original loan, paid for her two sons to complete their education, has enough food for her and her boys to last to the next harvest, and was able to pay for a recent visit to hospital admission (you don't get food in the hospitals here unless you can pay for it). She was such an inspirational woman, and couldn't take the smile off her face when we visited. She invited us into her home, and told us her story ... a truly amazing woman!

Baobab tree, approx 3,700 yrs old

On a lighter note, last weekend I went with 5 of my med student friends to a National Park about 2.5 hours north of Blantyre. Transport was via a local minibus. This is worthy of a slight diversion. These buses would normally seat 12, including the driver, however naturally they want to jam as many passengers in as possible. At one point I counted 23 people (including several children who sit on anyone's lap, they just get shoved in!). Luckily no chickens joined us on this trip. I cant even begin to describe the driving style used .. but the term 'russian roulette' comes to mind, especially overtaking on corners!! I think I am now several inches shorter, as my spine was crunched with ever bump in the road, and there are many of them!!!

The Liwonde National Park is stunning, and a welcome reprieve from the madness of Blantyre (and the 2.5 hour minibus trip!). We went on a couple of game drives, although none of the big cats really exist in southern Malawi, we saw elephants and buffalo, as well as numerous smaller critters. A great weekend, although all of my 5 friends have been sick since returning. Luckily they can prescribe themselves antibiotics to cure their pain .. even though none are qualified doctors, apparently they just front up to the pharmacy and ask for the drugs, tell the salesperson they are doctors, and receive the goods. A handy hint for the future if I need it!!!

Another highlight this week was seeing President Bingu driving past our building. His cavalcade would surely put our Queen Liz to shame. I stopped counting after about 20 vehicles, mostly utes filled with military men with very big guns, both before and after the black Range Rover with dark tinted windows! Bingu is not a popular man, and he surely know this!! There is talk of another national demonstration on August 17, and I am hoping very much this doesn't eventuate. Our global office has cancelled the Investors Tour on the basis of a perception things are unsafe for them to sponsor visitors to Malawi at this time. I dont want to think what will happen if another riot happens with more fatalities. 

Next weekend the plan is to conquer Mt Mulanje, first stage will just be to the top of a plateau about half way to the top. Apparently a hut exists on the plateau, but you need to supply everything, and sleeping is on the floor ... oh well! Should all go well, before I return home (and when the weather is warmer around October), I plan to go to the top!! Wish me luck!