MSU Campus Screening of Malawi & Malaria: Fighting to Save the Children

Friends-
We are so excited about our first campus screening of “Malawi & Malaria: Fighting to Save the Children”. It’s open to the public…Here are the details:

When: Feb. 15th, 7-9pm
Where: 147 Comm. Arts Bldg, MSU, East Lansing
The flim will start at 7pm and then discussion will follow at 8pm. Sue and I are very excited to show our film and discuss our trip with you

upcoming airings of “Malawi & Malaria: Fighting to Save the Children”

Here are some upcoming airdates/times for our film, including one tonight!

Wanted to let you know that our documentary on Malawi will be re-airing on WKAR @ the following times:

WKAR-23 main channel
1/7/11 (tonight) 10pm
1/18/11 11pm
1/31/11 10pm
2/28/11 11pm

WKAR-WORLD
2/3/11 9pm

WKAR Premiere 12/27

Hello everyone. It’s been a while since we posted anything, but I must say we are very excited that the documentary you’ve been waiting for will premiere on WKAR in East Lansing on December 27 at 9pm. The film is 51 minutes long.

Sue wrote a great script and you will see how the people of Malawi live and learn all about their culture. You will see the struggle to understand Malaria and how Michigan State University continues groundbreaking research, led by Dr. Terrie Taylor.

I spent probably more than 100 hours in the past week and a half editing the film and I’m very pleased with the outcome. My hope is that you we can take you along on our journey that Sue Carter and I took last March. We want to make you feel as if you were there alongside us, sharing in the uplifting moments, as well as the difficult ones.

We hope to announce DVD sales soon as well as screening opportunities in East Lansing first (sometime in January) and moving around Michigan after that.

We know many outside the East Lansing area are very excited to see the documentary and we are excited to show it.

Additionally, we have just started a facebook community page. Please see us there and tell your friends to “like” it.

Please post your comments here when you watch the film. We would love to hear feedback from you.

Bob and Sue

MSU gets big grant to study Malaria in Malawi

Michigan State University announced recently that Terrie Taylor and her research team have been awarded a $9.1 Million dollar grant. This is VERY exciting news…Those of you who have been reading and following our story about our documentary know how important this research is. Meantime, for those who have been wondering, we are making slow progress on the documentary. I am in the process of capturing all of our video into the computer. Sue Carter will then start logging and writing when I’m done with the capturing process. Our goal is to have the project completed by the end of November. Stay tuned!!

Airports…you gotta love ‘em

There is something both magical and maddening about international air travel. On one hand, it is astonishing to think that we can traverse spaces that took our ancestors weeks and sometimes months to cross. On the other hand, it can be frustrating to deal with airports and security and all of the 21^st century encumbrances. To wit, Johannesburg.

South African Airways had been identified to us as efficient and draconian. Both adjectives apply. The beginning was auspicious as the flight from Blantyre to Johannesburg went smoothly. Bob had dressed his sole checked bag in multiple layers of cello-packing tape to discourage theft of contents, a substantial problem at some of the airports in this region. Several South Africans in line behind us had also discouraged us from checking the suitcase all the way to DTW (and not DET, Detroit Lakes, Minn.!). Their reasoning was that baggage arrival operates in inverse relationship to the number of scheduled flights. With four flights from Blantyre to Detroit, we faced doom.

Johannesburg, and the lovely Oliver Tombo Airport. We arrive, the taped up bag makes it, and we head off to get our seats for the long haul to JFK. But first, like fighters before a prize bout, we are presented with a complicated and thorough set of weigh-ins – personal carry-ons and all. (I have carefully packed everything in a laptop bag and a small suitcase to retain as much control as possible.) Alas, I am five kilograms, around twelve pounds, over. A mad scramble to rearrange and shift some things into the one bag to be checked. The second weigh-in. Oh, no! Still two kilograms over. Psst. Bob, let’s go behind that pillar and think creatively. I remove a pair of shoes, a long-sleeved shirt, and a short-sleeved one and shove them down the pants of my travel warm-ups. Fortunately, the pants are voluminous, and I not too big. Plenty of room without looking as I am wearing an Eddie Murphy fat suit. Weigh-in number three. Still a kilogram over, madam. No way, I argue. I know how much a kilogram weighs, 2.2 pounds, (and I have stuffed at least that much down my warm-ups.) He examines my fierceness, and agrees that a kilogram is not worth arguing about. I get a prized “Cabin Baggage” tag for both bags.

Sue re-packing her carry-on after stuffing shoes and clothes in her pants

One more trip behind the pillar, and the shoes and shirts go back into my small suitcase. I feel somewhat vindicated when, on board the plane, we are across the aisle from a linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs who weighs more than I do – exactly double.

On the efficient side, the airline is on-time, the staff attentive, and the food delightful. There are many good comments to offer about South African Airways. But beware the dragons with scales!

Eight hours to Dakar, Senegal for an hour-overnight stop to discharge  and accept passengers and to take on more fuel, then it’s wheels up again. New York, you’re only eight hours away!

Saying Goodbye

I’m not very good at goodbyes. When it comes right down to it, I’m a pretty emotional guy. My students may think I’m a cold, heartless instructor when I don’t care about their excuses, but that’s another matter.

Goodbyes are never easy when it involves people and places that you love. In just one short week, I’ve fallen in love with a country, a culture, and a family.

The sun shone bright on this morning as it did every morning in Malawi since we arrived. Sue and I got up early to finish packing. We expected Hamilton, a local woodcarver and friend of Terrie Taylor to arrive with the gifts we ordered.

Hamilton, the great woodcarver.

When he arrived and showed us his masterful work, I was completely overwhelmed. In just two days, he and his workers carved 2 Noah’s Arks, a family holding hands, a Crucifix for Sue, and a few other assorted trinkets. The work was masterful. We took a few pictures and sent him off.

Within a few minutes, George arrived with the Peacock and we loaded up.

The plan was to go visit Terrie at the hospital and say goodbye, leaving her with several bags of odds and ends to use as needed. We stayed long enough to debrief the week and have a cup of tea.

A hug for Terrie

Next stop: Ndirande. The Msini family wanted to see us off at the airport so we agreed to pick them up. We arrived at the house and everyone was ready for us. The girls had their MSU T-shirts on which made me smile. The kids piled in the back of the Peacock. As we drove down the winding, bumpy road of Ndirande, we rolled down the window and took in the sights one last time. The Children’s Chants of Azungu! Azungu! (white person) filled the air as if they knew we were leaving. We waved as if we were in some sort of celebrity-filled parade.

the Msini kids in the back of the Peacock

The quaint little Blantyre airport

After a somewhat lengthy drive to the airport, we arrived, but a little bit later than we wanted. The line to check-in was long. No computers here, making the process painfully slow. We turned back the clock 30 years as the ticket agent manually wrote our names on a piece of paper assigning us our seats.

George had to pick up another Doctor arriving on the plane we were to take off on. Because of how long the check-in process went, we had no real time to visit and reminisce about the week. He was in a hurry to stake out his spot so he wouldn’t miss the guest arriving. We took a quick picture and then he was off. An excuse to part quickly avoids a lot of tears and is sometimes better that way. I yelled out to have Esther send me his email so we could keep in touch. I hope to see George again someday. I miss him already.

One last picture with George.

As Justice and his family looked on, we had no time to hang out in the lounge together. Justice said that we better go to the gate because our plane was here and it wouldn’t be long before boarding. This was it. The moment I was dreading. I felt a strong connection to this family the moment we met. A half-world apart, yet a close bond in only 7 short days. I gave Justice and Irene a big hug, all of us fighting back tears. I then picked up Sam. He reminded me so much of my own 6-year-old, Isaac. The million dollar smile of his and the belly laughs I would get from him while tickling him ran through my head.

Sam after we gave him his new MSU T-shirt early in the week

I held him tight, not wanting to let go, knowing that the likelihood of seeing him again was pretty small. I then proceeded to Faith. I told her to study hard and fulfill her dreams. Joyce was last. She really became fond of us. Pretty choked up at this point, I struggled to tell her to take care of her brother and sister. I told her that I hope to get her to the U.S. soon. I looked at her, but couldn’t say much more. Her emotions got the best of her too. I stupidly told her not to cry, even though we had synchronized our tears.

We parted ways. Sue and I headed for security. We both took a look back and waved one last time. They walked out the door, heading back to their Malawian life in Ndirande.

With the business of security and passports at hand, we had little time to reflect. That would come later in the form of 20 hours in the air.

As the plane to Johannesburg took off, I looked out the window and whispered goodbye to Malawi and my friends who certainly left a lifetime of lasting memories.

Safari day, part 2

Going on the safari:

Sue has described our walking tour on our Safari and I don’t have much to add in that regard other than that the beautiful landscape was breathtaking. Seeing baboons, warthogs, impalas, waterbucks, and assorted birds simply blew me away.

Pumba!

I REALLY wanted to see elephants and Paul, our able guide tried his best to follow the trail of footprints, fresh dung, and broken tree branches. But, alas, it wasn’t to be.

Elephants are near!

I teasingly said to staff later that I didn’t believe they even existed in this park. They gave me the line I always hate hearing: “We saw them right by the lodge the other day!” Why don’t I ever believe statements like that!

Anyway, I didn’t get my hopes up too much so I wouldn’t be let down.

When the walk was over, we had another amazing meal. A full-cooked English-style breakfast that would put Sue over the edge and down for a nap.

I chilled for an hour sitting in a chair outside overlooking the water and some wonderful trees.

The view from the lodge where Bob took an hour rest

Chilled, of course really isn’t appropriate here though, as this was the most humid day of our trip so far. I didn’t care. I had nothing to do, but relax.

After a bit, a young couple from Sweden arrived at the lodge. They were scheduled for a canoe safari and this was the first I’d heard about this versus the motor boat tour we were signed up for at 2:00.

Josefin and Viktor were my new friends. We joked about IKEA and ABBA and they said they want to visit the U.S. not only to see national landmarks, but to finally step foot into a Starbucks they’ve heard about so much. They told me they have been traveling through Africa for a couple of months now.

It was nearing lunch time and I figured I should wake Sue. I didn’t want her to miss out on enjoying the beauty while sleeping inside her tent. She met our new friends and we went for a quick hike up a large hill to hang out in a treehouse that overlooked the park. How breathtaking was this view! We got more acquainted and gave the Swedes some advice on places to visit when they come to The States.

View from Treehouse

It was time to come off the perch and get ready for lunch. Sue would pass on more food, but I couldn’t turn down another fabulous meal cooked by our hosts. Viktor and Josefin were starving. They served us an Italian favorite: Spaghetti and red sauce!

After lunch, it was very HOT outside. Our Swedish friends decided to wait on the canoe ride until later in the afternoon because it would just be too hot.

We found out that the motor boat needed a minimum of 3 people otherwise Sue and I would have to pay for the 3^rd person anyway. We convinced the Swedes to go with us in exchange for a ride back to Blantyre. They were heading that way and didn’t want to deal with another bus ride. We gladly accepted their offer.

This is where things start to get crazy.

We realize that the boat launch is nearly 30 minutes outside camp. As Sue described, the vehicle was a VERY old Land-Rover and a bit scary–All part of the adventure though. The problem was that we couldn’t get in touch with George to meet us afterwards at the boat launch so we could save an hour heading back to Blantyre.

We left camp and, as we were driving down the road, Sue spied an unmistakable sight…yes, we saw more warthogs and Impalas, but this time, we also saw a peacock; yes, THE peacock…on the side of the road, with George hanging out, just killing time.

Impalas roam the park

We said to our driver Paul, (yes…the same guide from the morning) “turn around!”

George was as surprised as we were to see each other. We instructed George to head to the lodge and collect all of our belongings (including our Swedish counterparts) and we’d meet at 5:00 at the boat launch. No problem for George!

Shortly after, we arrived at the boat launch. Viktor and Josefin were laughing because it was the same spot they had started the day, waiting for a ride to the lodge to take the canoe (which was launched nearer to the lodge).

Paul told us to wait a minute as he readied the boat. We all waited in anticipation to see hippos, crocs, and maybe the elusive pachyderm.

The motor boat

We hopped on the boat; A rickety vessel that had seen better days. Paul pulled the cord to start the engine…putt, putt…he pulled it again…putt, putt…and again, and again. It started! We got about 10 yards from the dock and….putt, putt…We manually made our way back to the dock and Paul tried for another 15 minutes before finally giving up. No motor boat ride for us today. He called the lodge and suggested we go back for a canoe trip. Not wanting to miss out entirely, we happily agreed to go back to the lodge.

Paul said, before you get in the car, I need a push to start up…I said, “you’re kidding, right?”

Bob push-starting the Land Rover

Nope, he wasn’t. We gave the land-rover a quick push and off we went, making sure we called the lodge and had George stay put.

Finally, after breaking some sort of speed record, we made it back to the lodge and on the canoe.

Hippos!

It was definitely worth the wait. We navigated through reeds and once we hit the river, we saw families of hippos hangin’ in the water. Every once in a while, you could hear them bellowing out to each other.

Enjoying nature!

Our canoe paddler, Eliam, made sure we didn’t get too close. The birds we saw, the light breeze across the water, the amazing mountain view as the sun started to set made for a perfect ending to our day at Lewande National Park.

The drive home proved interesting. I sat in back with

Viktor, Sue, and Josefin

Josefin and Viktor and we chatted about irrelevant things to pass the time. It was VERY dark on the way back to Blantyre. George masterfully navigated us home, despite the incessant swerving to the right lane avoiding potholes, getting out of the way of oncoming traffic QUICKLY, and avoiding the

in the reeds on the canoe

many pedestrians making their way home from work

Gorgeous!

George dropped us off at our guest house and was gracious enough to find a place for the Swedes to stay overnight. We said our goodbyes to our new friends and bid them a safe journey, hoping to someday see them again along the way. Thankfully, I’ve already connected with them on Facebook. What a world we live in.

Sun setting on the river after at the end of our canoe ride

Before The Safari

Sue and I finished up our odds and ends shooting Thursday afternoon and packed for the Lewande National Park.

George dropped us off at the Guest House and he went home to pack an overnight bag. We wanted to chill for a bit and work on the blog and pack for ourselves.

I was excited and ready to enjoy some R&R after busting our behinds for the past several days. We certainly deserved to enjoy the sights and sounds of Africa.

Since we had such an early wake up call, Sue and I were counting on a nap in the Peacock-mobile on the way. A 2 hour drive was ahead.

George arrived and we loaded up and headed out.

Traffic was heavy on the way out of town and we got a much later start than we wanted.

Once we were out of the city limits, it was fairly smooth sailing. Windows down and cruising in the Peacock, we were relaxed for perhaps the first time this week.

I wanted to sleep but two things got in the way. First, there were no headrests so it was difficult to lay back. Second, the sight seeing was forcing me to stay awake. I DID wind up crashing for about 15 minutes, but the crick in my neck jolted me awake.

The beautiful scenery on the way to Lewande

The rural road that winded through Malawi gave us a beautiful portrait of a beautiful country. Every few miles we would enter into another micro-economy; a small village marketplace bustling with locals. Then miles of landscape. Mountains to the left and cornfields, tobacco fields, animals, and more to the right.

On a rural road we are used to seeing cornfield after cornfield, and very little

Tobacco fields on the way to Lewande

human activity. Here in Malawi, you can see a steady stream of locals walking. Sometimes women carrying baskets of food on their heads. Sometimes men on bicycles, which we later found out were “taxis.” Every minute of the drive proved to be interesting and a lesson in African culture. Along the way, George would answer our questions and add his commentary to the scene, helping us paint a better picture of the place he called home.

We passed through a place called Zomba,

zomba

George commented about how it was a pleasant place to live. It was cooler there and I asked why. The answer was obvious. The tree-lined streets and the lush green shrubbery provided much needed shade in an ordinarily hot, dry country.

Almost to Lewande...over the river

After nearly 2 hours, we approached a small town. This was Lewande. Many small businesses dotted the street and I knew we were getting close to the National Park.

George stopped at a place called, “The Hippo Lodge,” and I thought this was where we were staying. It was a kitschy little place that reeked of a tourist trap. I was glad when he turned around after asking for directions to the place we really wanted to go.

Finally, we found the park entrance. It was ten past six and there was a gated entrance with a guard. The security guard wanted us to pay $5.00 per person and George argued that we shouldn’t have to pay this because we were going to the lodge inside the park and would be paying fees there. The guard also commented that the park closed at 6 and it didn’t seem like we would get in.

George won both arguments. They let us in AND no fee. George did it again!

We saw a sign that said, “Chinguni Lodge, 6km” and we proceeded down a bumpy dirt-pathed road. It was now getting dark, and George hit the brakes for a moment as we saw several animals that he described as “Kudus.” We later discovered they were Impalas.

We pulled into the lodge a bit weary and a bit unsure. It was very dark. We parked the car as several staff members came out with flashlights to meet us.

We met the manager Lisa who showed us around. We had two options; A dorm-type room in the main lodge or a tent outside. The lodge had no electricity, just the warm glow of candles and an occasional lantern. We decided on the tent. It had a tin, thatched roof with its own bathroom and felt very rustic. The cost was $35.00 per person for the night. A mere bargain, but expensive in Malawian terms. Once we unloaded, George took off into town to find cheaper lodging on his own.

Dining area in the Chinguni Lodge

Sue asked Lisa if we could get dinner. She said it would be no problem and they would cook some up for us. Things seemed VERY quiet and we would later discover we were the only guests in the entire lodge. Being a weekday, and during the rainy season, they don’t get many visitors.

We settled in and washed up. The air was thick and rain threatened. We could hear the crickets and night critters enjoying conversation.

Sitting area in the lodge

Lisa informed us that there was a bar in the corner with any sort of drink we were interested in. We could help ourselves and it was on the honor system. Just write down what we take and settle up at the end.

There was a chest refrigerator, which puzzled me a bit in an area with no power. I learned that it’s powered by paraffin. What a novel idea! Inside, were the requisite glass bottles of Carlsberg, Coke, and Fanta. Wine and spirits dotted the shelves as well. Sue and I partook in a little before dinner beverage and waited.

The cool tent we stayed in.

Dinner was now served

We sat down at a candlelit table and we could now hear the rain hitting the tin roof. Sue and I pinched ourselves again in awe of where we were and what we were doing this week.

Noah was our server. He brought us a wonderful appetizer with some green salad and a warm fish filet glazed in something spectacularly delicious.

The next course arrived and it was plentiful. Some sort of beef with grilled onions and loaded with flavor. They made mashed Irish potatoes and served up an array of wonderful fresh vegetables. I had to use my mini-mag light to see what I was eating at times, but hey, not a problem!

Dessert arrived and Noah announced that it was “Sweet Pears.” The pears were soaking in some sort of sweet sauce. Mmmmmmmmm. A fantastic way to end the meal.

Tired and weary, Sue and I decided to hit it for the night in heavy anticipation of our walk with the animals. It would be another early wake up call. Tea and Coffee would be ready at 5:45.

As our heads hit the pillows, the rain subsided and we could again hear the buzz of the crickets, but this time the bellows of the nearby hippos would intervene once in a while.

Tomorrow would be an exciting day!

Safari or Bust, part 1

To awaken in a tent in the jungle in Africa is a remarkable feeling. It is warm and rich with the closeness of the natural sub-Saharan world. By contrast, the last tent experience I had was on the polar ice cap, at the North Pole. This clearly is a bit different. Off in the distance this morning I can hear hippos calling – snorting – back and forth to each other. The Shire River, which is connected to Lake Malawi, is less than a half-mile away. How hungry are the hippos I wonder, and how fast can I run? (The joke at the North Pole was that you didn’t have to be the fastest to escape the polar bear; you just couldn’t be the slowest.)

Bob and I made arrangements last night to go on safari this morning, and were instructed to meet Paul, our guide, at 6 a.m. Coffee would be ready at 5:45. As we walked several miles with him, it became obvious that Paul’s training was quite thorough. He told me that it involved three years of formal schooling in central Malawi before he was certified to be a guide in the national parks. Clearly, Paul had been a good student as he was quickly able to identify any plant or animal we inquired about, as well as pick out those critters obscurely hidden in the bush.

Yellow Baboon hangin' out

herd of impalas

And there were many: water bucks, yellow baboons, wart hogs, impalas, and kudus. In the air were eagles of several varieties, great white egrets and open billed storks. We stalked elephants, spotting footprints and dung and marks made by their dragging trunks, but they eluded us. There was no elephant in the room.

Three hours later, filled in spirit but hungry in stomachs, we returned to the lodge for a traditional cooked English breakfast of eggs and toast and sausage and baked beans with rich Malawian coffee.

A break before the two o’clock boat ride to see the hippos up close, and I checked out for a little nap. After seven days of continuous work, my batteries need a bit of re-charging, or at least topping off.

Water Buck

The boat ride required a trip into town, where the river is deeper, to get the launch. Think Kathryn Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart and the African Queen. The main difference is that this boat’s motor kept stalling out. So, back into an antique Land Rover to the lodge and a canoe ride instead. We were joined by a young Swedish couple, and the four of us piled into a craft paddled and poled by our guide Eliam. He was equally as informative as Paul, and smoothly took us through several acres of reeds to a family of some dozen hippos, all females except for the lone male. Huge and lumbering, though surprisingly graceful in the water, they can submerge for six minutes to pop up in different locations. Also occupying the river are crocodiles. This is a real-time look-down Disney World: “Keep your hands inside the ride at all times.”

Hippos out for a swim!

The amazing ride over, we clambered back into the Land Rover to return to the lodge, collect our belongings, and make our way back to Blantyre, with George at the wheel of the trusty Peacock. Even though it’s late, we post some blogs and pictures. We also pack, for tomorrow we leave Malawi.

Time for School: Thursday

Time for school!

Thursday morning:

After going to dinner with Justice and Irene, we were excited to again visit their home again Thursday morning.

I really wanted to follow Joyce to school and see what that was like.

It was another early wake up call for Sue and I. No roosters crowing on this day. The marimba chimes from my I-phone awoke me at 5 as the early morning Africa sun shined brightly through my window and net-covered bed.

After a quick shower and dress I went next door to the guest house Sue was staying at.

The Guest House known at "K-1"

Quick tangent: After leaving Justice’s house earlier in the week, Sue and I moved to the guest houses run by the Blantyre Malaria project. We had to stay in separate houses because of other guests already there.  Sue’s house was the main house where we hung out during down time. Mine was merely for sleeping as a family of 4 from Nigeria had just moved in there for a few months and I wanted to give them their privacy. End of tangent.

The Msini family with Sue and Bob

Turns out Sue’s alarm didn’t go off and, with no nearby roosters, I had to wake her up by calling her through her bedroom window. A little startled, but grateful for the human wake-up call, she stumbled to the front door to let me in so I could get breakfast.

After some fresh juice, some peanut buttered wheat bread and a “Danone yoghurt”, trusty George arrived in the Peacock and we were off to Ndirande.

We arrived at Justice’s house by “Half Six” and everyone was awake and waiting for us. We visited a bit and then headed out of the church compound. Sue and I walked alongside Joyce with my video camera rolling. George followed behind in the Peacock-mobile.

I was a bit nervous as we walked through the village and the local marketplace, because Justice wouldn’t let me shoot earlier in the week in this area. He thought it would be early enough, but the natives were a bit restless and the marketplace was

Joyce walks to school

already bustling with locals. Joyce was laughing a bit because she heard people making comments about me in their native language, Chichewa. She suggested I go to the back of the Peacock and sit on the tailgate and shoot her walking as the truck moved in front of her…sort of like a very large “dolly shot.” We did that for a bit until we got out of the market area and on to the main road.

We encountered many other students on the way to her school and others.

Once on the main road, George, our driver (who by the way is one of the most competent people I’ve ever met), suggested he get ahead to the school to secure permission to shoot video in the classroom.

Joyce in front of school

As we arrived at the entrance some 30 minutes after our departure, Joyce pointed out the sign.The name of the school was Elishama The school building was set back quite a ways from the road.  3 buildings made up the complex. A church, an office, and of course the school. There were 4  classrooms. Each was for a different grade, although they they called them “forms,” instead of grades. Joyce was in Form 4 which was the highest grade level, much like being a senior in high school.

Her classroom was simple. Some wooden desks, a concrete floor, a couple of windows to illuminate the room, and a blackboard.

Ready to start school!

Joyce introduced us to her boyfriend, Dave, who was not so eager to meet us. He kept hiding his head under his jacket, although I did manage to interview him.

The teacher arrived and he seemed excited to see us. We put a wireless mic on him so we could get good sound of him teaching, but first Sue did a quick interview.

At precisely half-seven, a man walked out of the office ringing a handbell signifying the start of the school day

Inside Joyce’s class, 17 classmates quieted. In a very business-like-matter-of-fact tone the teacher started class. “Good morning students.” “Good morning, sir,” they replied in unison.

At the desk...ready to learn

Biology topped the morning schedule.  He began the lesson saying they would learn about the circulatory system today. As the master pedagogue began his sermon, he started to stumble over his words. He let out a slightly embarrassed laugh which triggered the students to do the same. It was clearly evident that the presence of the video camera rattled this usually confident instructor.

Once back on track, Sue and I noted how gifted this teacher truly was. He certainly knew about the heart, its chambers and how a drop of blood passed through it. As he proceeded through the lesson, he would occasionally stop to make sure the students were following. “Are you with me?” “Yes.”

I was having some technical problems with the camera at this point…the first of the week. I’m hopeful I have enough usable shots to make it into the documentary.

When we were about to leave, the owner of the school (this is a private school) came out to speak with us. He was happy to have us at the school, but wished we had planned our visit a little more in advance. We shook hands and said our goodbyes.

After shooting a couple of exteriors, it was back to Ndirande for an interview with Justice. We hadn’t done any sort of sit-down talk with him on tape and this was our last opportunity to do that.

Justice talks to Sue in the Church

Justice is an eloquent man and brilliant speaker. He gave us much insight into the minds of many Malawians.

It wasn’t even 9:00 am and we had learned so much.

Joyce may have  learned about the heart today in class, but, like other Malawians, she has worn it on her sleeve from an early age. More evidence that Malawi lives up to its name as the “warm heart of Africa.”