Future owls!
The last couple of days have consisted mostly of working with DataPall, trying to work out some of the simple kinks, and exploring Namitando. We’ve been trying to get as much feedback as we can from workers on DataPall and the HSA Backpacks to see what changes we can make. This means we’ve been doing a lot of pseudo-interviews having individuals fill out the technology surveys we have prepared. One morning we got to help out in the clinic, we were just counting pills for them, but we got to interact with patients which was exciting!
Other than work we’ve been spending a lot of time in Namitando, looking around, meeting people, and getting a lot of stares. We did finally get to try nsima, which is the staple food here in Malawi. It’s corn flower mixed with water that ends up making a thick dough/porridge/mashed potato looking food. The people here pretty much eat it at every meal, and some of the nurses at the hospital have agreed to teach us how to make it.
On our way through Namitando today, we ran into a man who works at the hospital, Gift. Without even asking Gift escorted us out to his village and into his home so that we could get a better sense for village life. He showed us where they get their water, how they make bricks, what the homes look like, how to make corn flower and lots of other things. It was unbelievable to us how welcoming all the people at his home were. His mother and siblings and the whole village basically were so happy to see us there and were so hospitable towards us. The kids LOVE taking pictures and seeing themselves in the image on the camera, they would follow us everywhere waiting for pictures to be taken. We asked Gift if the kids follow all the “azungus” around like this and he said to us “They are proud of you.” Everyone was so happy to have us come out to see their village, and we were taken aback by how eager the people were to welcome us and talk to us. Gift had a lot to say about the way of life in Malawi and he talked to us about the education, extreme poverty, and politics in Malawi. He even talked to us about his view of President Obama. Gift also offered to escort us through all the villages in the area during the next two months so that we can get an authentic view of Namitete, Malawi. Our next adventure with Gift is Sunday after mass, so I’m sure I will have more stories then!
buying bananas in the street
making maize flour
Malawian children are the cutest
Over the next few days we will be working with DataPall more as well as scheduling a time when we can go out to the community with the volunteers and see the backpacks in action!