Blantyre

First of all thanks everyone for your comments it makes me feel not so far away. I have had the most amazing time the malawian people are the most friendliest people in the world every conversation begins with how are you I'm fine how are you I'm fine thank you, of course in chechewa !! Our guide and fixer Mike has helped me with my efforts also everyone shakes your hand with an African handshake I'll show you when I gat home. Today was my first day in school we visited them yesterday..1 primary has 5000 pupils. I was lucky I was allowed to choose a small 350 secondary school with a really get up and go attitude, to tour they look as if they have virtually nothing but today I saw the school in action, the children are so motivated to learn, the teaching was punchy and to the point 30 min period the children so attentive, rivision of existing knowledge learning out come by another name.. fantastic and all with a black board and chalk, I now know all about soil errosion. We were invited to take the next lesson, I did a Q&A with 6th years form 4 on Scotland using my photos to tell them about snow.
Then my fellow traveller did a lesson using work her kids in edinburgh had done, the children listened and got stuck in producing great written work with drawings for her to take back, I was her beautiful assistant. The children are quiet and shy with us and when we walk out they errupt the teachers say they are so excited to see, us. IOn Friday we have been asked to give a presentation at assembly on health. There are so many similarities and they have so few resources. They children come in 2 shifts to school because they do not have enough classrooms, form 2 and 4 7.30-12.00 and 1 and 3 12.00. 3.30 2 and 4 are exam years. They gdo not teach PE and do not stop for lunch. everyone walks to school upto 10km 6 mile each way, many have no breakfast.I have run out of time I must go Tomorrow we visit a hospital and an orphanage then back to school. Every morning 6am start and fall into bed 10pm, hotel ok for traveller but pretty basic. take care I will try to post again this week , love to all Juliex