Tears and Laughter

Tears and Laughter
July 14, 2009

The last day in the schools is always long and filled with mixed emotions. It’s long because we stay at MIE until after 7:30 p.m. for a celebration dinner we give each year for the teachers from the three schools. It’s emotional because each school has a celebration for our students who have taught and worked with them. They made the women skirts and tops and Todd got shorts and a dashiki. The women changed into their new finery in the shed that serves as the library. I have no idea where they took Todd. But we and the teachers, who went with us to change, all sang and danced our way back to the classroom where the others waited for us to appear in our Malawian togs. I asked the students to say something about their experience, and that’s when the emotions ran high. It’s tougher on them because perhaps they won’t be back, or at least it will be a long time. I know I’ll return next summer, so my sadness is softened.

It’s clear to all the teachers at the Government School how much this experience has meant to the Virginia Tech students. Todd (who is often called Toddie because in Chichewa words almost always end in a vowel and they find it difficult to say a single syllable name) spoke from the heart, saying that if Malawi is the “warm heart of Africa” then the Government School is the “warm heart of Malawi.” They loved that. Deanna teared up some, but got through it. However, that caused Jessica and Kacey to wipe away tears as they talked. Again the teachers really appreciated such heartfelt emotions. The two Rachels talked last with Rachel L. saying how the experience had helped her and Rachel S. telling them she had been to Malawi before but had not had a school experience. Again, I was proud of them, their work at the school, and their ability to handle the demands of a new culture.

We spent the afternoon discussing human rights and gender issues as well as reflecting on a question posed by Todd – what has been the most memorable event – and by James (from NC A&T) – what have you learned from this experience that will help you as you enter teaching or another career. Excellent questions that generated some good discussion. By that time it was time to decide what song we would sing to end the dinner program. “Amazing Grace” won and we practiced. Actually, the first stanza is quite appropriate: grace shall keep us safe and grace shall lead us home. Everyone is thinking more of home now, but they are looking forward to Club Makola and sitting on the beach tomorrow.

For dinner we had fried chicken, rice, and greens with a soft drink and banana. The servings were large, which the Malawians loved. Some said they wished we had a celebration dinner every month. It’s quite an occasion for them because they can bring a guest, which means a couple can have a night out together. Some women had on beautiful Malawian dresses. All of us wore the outfits that the schools had made us. Thank goodness the electricity stayed on because there wasn’t a candle in sight!!

Tonight we pack all the souvenirs we have purchased in suitcases now mostly empty because all school supplies and extra clothing has been given away.