Mwaya Mondays- Vol. 29, Monday 18 February, 2013
This week’s instalment by RIPPLE Africa volunteer Lisbeth:
“Sitting on the deck with a glass of red wine reminds me of my happy volunteer days last year. This time my husband Henrik and I are back on a two week visit.
We received a fantastically warm welcome from all the staff and the local community. It makes you feel quit at home, cycling down from the road block, hearing grown-ups and children shout: “Elisabetti – Elisabetti!”
Two days ago Mwaya Beach had their first two volunteers this year. Peter and Abby, teachers from Australia, will be here for four weeks and will be teaching at Kapanda Secondary School, Mwaya Primary School and some of the pre-schools.
But there have been many visitors to keep Charlie company. Two English girls looking into what RIPPLE Africa does were here for a couple of days. Nick is continuing to interview RIPPLE staff and members of the community for his research. Former volunteer, Elly, from Holland is here for four days to visit old friends. All these visitors left on Saturday, but more visitors arrived on Sunday. And that way life goes on at Mwaya Beach.
At Kapanda Secondary School the “Wild Life Club” has just started a project of bee-keeping and was promised an expert arriving. The expert was Henrik, who might not be an expert, but a keen bee-keeper back home in Denmark. Together with Andrew Manda from Kapanda and the students, the club now has three bee hives “up and running.” Not without several beestings, since Henrik and Andrew had to take wax from an existing bee hive!
I also went to visit Katentere pre-school, which is always a delight. Last year when I was volunteering I provided water buckets and soap for all of the pre-schools to make sure that the children can all wash their hands before they have their tea and sweet potatoes. So it was very pleasing to see that a year later the pre-school teachers are still making sure that the children have clean hands once a day at least!
We thank RIPPLE Africa, Mwaya Beach and the community for their warm hospitality.
Lisbeth (volunteer Jan-April 2012)”
Don’t forget to check back next week for the next instalment of Mwaya Mondays!
