Window

This is Window, the best dressed plumber in Lilongwe.

The Myths that Block Progress for the Poor

Bill and Melinda gates put together this letter regarding the status of poor countries, the necessity and influence of foreign aid in countries, and the affect of health interventions and infant mortality rates on population growth.

Working in one of the most-aid dependent countries in the world, I appreciate this article. I do not agree with everything Mr. Gates says, but Ms. Gates expresses the last set of facts brilliantly.

When I was in rural Uganda and I told a group of women I did not want to have children, I finally agreed to "fine, just one" in order that they would ease up on me. It did have the quieting effect for which I was hoping. The women were appalled. Their reaction was more severe than if I were to remain a childless old maid. These women lived a different reality than I did. In a country with infant-mortality not just a statistic, but influencing the daily lives of families, I was told firmly and repeatedly:  "You must have at least 2... in case one of them dies."

Malawi's Children of Tobacco

Al Jazeera's Take on ItAl Jazeera's take on child labor in Malawi

A Difference

In my experience, if a teenage girl passes out at a party at an American high school, not only do people take note, they sort of spring into action. The girl is, you know, tended to. Like, medically. Her friends would be taken aside by figures of authority. Questions are asked. Has she been drinking? Did she do drugs? Does she have a history of falling down? There would be an investigation, consequences. 

A party at a Malawian secondary school? Not so. Oh, the nurse was summoned. She took a break from mopping the sidewalk and came over to pick grass out of the girl's hair and rub her cheeks. I was not quite satisfied, so I asked around...

Is she okay?

"Yes."

Does she need to go to a hospital?

"No. She is fine."

Does this happen? Does she do this a lot?

"I do not know. Maybe."

Rules for use

In case you unclear about the rules regarding the curtains in the Kamuzu Central Hospital conference room.

Sometimes Malawi is Beautiful

Just for us.

Giving Thanks for the Festival of "Lights"

Thanksgiving and Hanukkah all at once and set in Malawi.  What a noteworthy collision of culture and history to really make us reflect upon our gratitude for the gifts [privilege] that have been bestowed on us [stolen] as God’s chosen [ruthless] people and most beloved [arrogant] of nations.

On that note, here is Andrea’s first attempt at Challah. Yay, Shiksa baking! And our Malawi Menorah!

Here is the Thankgiving storm.

Here is the resulting downed Airtel sign that took with it [our] power lines, leaving us electricity-less (and, hence, pie-less) for 4 days.

Here is a group of expats who, like the pilgrims, are doing their best to make a decent meal in a foreign land with weird ingredients, uniquely small ovens and an overall lack of electricity.

Deep fried turkey made over fire, bread baked over a BBQ pit, people scattered to the other side of town to get the latkes cooked, extra salad, and lots of candles to light the way. Truly a festival of lights.

And Brody missing Texas? Amanda thinks maybe yes.

And rounding out out the weekend with lots of white people singing Christmas carols (and Christmas trees made of garbage) to acknowledge what all this is really about...