What a lovely week I spent in Liwonde and the villages in the Ntaja district. It was enjoyable in every sense - except for the rides on the motorbike, which were painful enough that on the first two days I could barely walk for about 5 minutes. It's just a fact, not a complaint! I'm thankful we didn't have to walk, especially with the starter acting up.
With the exception of one focus group discussion, which felt like I was pulling teeth out of the women, the focus groups were splendid. People were giving great feedback, and I think together we were able to overcome the Malawian tendency to only praise projects instead of giving honest answers to questions about problems and challenges. There was lots of laughing, and even some musical interludes in some of the ladies groups. The ladies enjoyed listening to themselves sing on my audio recorder. In sum, I think that all four of us doing data collection (Thomas and I running the focus groups, and Khumbo and Francis doing the surveys) had a really great week, and all learned different things about how we can improve upon this project. By the end of the week, I had that wonderfully exhausted-yet-satisfied feeling - a job well done deserving of a good night's sleep.
The evenings were also a pleasure, since I was staying with Samantha and Miriam on the church compound in Liwonde. Their company was so enjoyable. The food was delicious every night. And the entertainment was nostalgic (Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman). I also *finally* watched "The Notebook". It wasn't at all what I expected - it was much better.
Tuesday was Canada Day. It was also the day we spent in my favourite village, Nsolomba. I remarked to myself on the motorbike as we drove there that this was perhaps the least Canadian Canada Day I had ever had, as I was likely the only Canadian for many many miles. I couldn't help but dream of the crowded streets in Ottawa and the Parliament Hill festivities, eating smoked meat poutine at Dunn's with the Ottawa gang, wearing red and white, having a BBQ at Mat's house, seeing the Brysons and the MacGregors, and of course, the fireworks. Yes, it certainly was a different Canada Day. Yet one of those things I longed for DID happen when I received a phone call that evening from my Mom. My parents were at the MacGregors house, so I got to speak to all the Brysons and the MacGregors. It was a delightful treat to hear their voices and to "be" at the party, at least in some small way.
So I now officially have collected all my data for both projects I'm working on. The month of July will be straight data analysis here in Zomba - though my heart does hope for a chance to get back out into the villages, just to visit, before I go.
Oh, one last thing, for those who were praying - I have a place to live! I'll be living with Edrinnie, a lady from my church here in Zomba. It's a 10-minute walk from the office. Thank you so much for your prayers.
2 comments:
hehe
my canada day came on independence day when i was strolling through the park and came upon some fellow canadian ... geese. =p
I did indeed feel some cheer in that haha. had to presume there that all Canadian Geese live in canada and like me were just on a visit to the U.S. =p
glad you found housing marianne! and that the experience and work progress thus far have been happy ones!
continuing to pray for u =]
We were wondering when you get back... end of August, right?
I will NEVER watch a film based on a Nicholas Sparks book. Message In A Bottle nearly killed me, and I'm sure A Walk to Remember would have finished me if I hadn't walked out after about 15 minutes.
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