Off to Ruarwe....

Sunday 16^th Jan 2010

Today We are meant to leave for Ruarwe on the ferry- the legendary ‘Ilala’  but last week it broke down so its now running late- almost two days late!. Its due to get into town at 5pm and leave at 8pm, but I’m told to expect to leave around 4am…The ferry runs to Malawian time!

I’m really excited to finally get up to Ruarwe and see how the project is going and meet the community. The building work will be finished by the end of January, but things have been delayed slightly -there have been a few problems getting the container with all the books and equipment into Malawi from the uk- plus all the furniture for the library and classrooms needs to be brought to Ruarwe too. At this point it looks like the official opening will now be in April.

I’m going to be working at the centre for about 8 days so I can get a feel for the place, then I’m back to Nkhata bay for a week to do some prep work for the following few months at the centre.  The aim to use the centre as much as possible before the official opening. We will be running English classes, and other life skills workshops and youth groups with the community before then, as well as the photography club and art sessions.

I’ve had a chilled morning in town, getting supplies for Ruarwe… followed by my first swim and hairwash in the lake, with Alices’ daughter ezmeekie. Its  warmer than the showers here….and such clear water. If it wasn’t for the lack of salt in the water you could easily be forgiven for thinking it’s the sea. ( plus the very unusual sightings of crocodiles the other day at another part of the lake---eeekkkk!!!- ive been told I have nothing to worry about- and hey we go swimming in the sea in Oz with the sharks right!)...Got back to my room and spent 10 mins trying to get a giant moth out of the room…Hannah…believe me this is pigeon moth country!!!....