9th June - Nkhamenya

Finally got some internet access !  So here's what's been happening so far.
After negotiating Glasgow airport via a lost and found passport (mine!)   and a forgotten jacket (also mine!) we eventually arrived in Lilongwe safe but tired.  We then spent an hour looking for a "loa camera st" suitcase (Daniel's!) which was with us all the time and a lost earplug for earphones (Mr Reid's) . We left the airport for   a meal in Lilongwe before starting north for Nkhamenya.  Half way there  a camera flies out the bus - MrReids . Another 10 minutes to look for it and thankfully it was found in one piece. We finally reach Nkhamenya at about 7.30pm but it was well worth the wait as we were welcomed rapturously into the church by the whole school for a mass of thanksgiving for our safe arrival - a truly memorable experience.

Friday some of the party made it to 6.30am mass before breakfast and a tour of the school and some orientation around the local area where we were greeted by cries of "muzungu" (white man).  After lunch we were formally introduced to the school in the assembly hall where we were treated to a number of entertaining presentations of dance and song by the girls of the school before retiring for some well earned rest.

Saturday. After breakfast,  a walk to the trading centre to get some new phone sim cards and top-ups and a quick look round the local market..   We then visited the boys primary school to see how they had used our donation from last year.  We found that they had added electrical connections and lights to 2 other classrooms to allow the students to study after 6.00pm (when its gets dark). We then presented the headtacher  (Mr Phiri) with a gift of 500 uk pounds.. The staff then left for Katete to visit St John Bosco Boys School and check on how Mrs Connelly and Mrs Forrester from Our lady's High School in Cumbernauld were settling in.. We also presented a gift of 1600 uk pounds from St Thomas Aquinas Secondary School in Glasgow to the headteacher of St John Bosco. 

Sunday saw us having a "long lie" with Sunday Service starting at 10am and ending at 12.30!  However the service was full of song and dance and the time just flew by.  We were then treated to lunch from the Sisters of the Holy Rosary in their convent .  After lunch we had a surprise visit by the previous headteacher of Nkhamenya (Sister Mary Kaunda) who was passing on her way  to Lilongwe.  Mr Sutherland then met with Mr Chilongo to plan the forthcoming week's programme while the rest of the party went walkabout in Nkhamenya - someone has to do the work! 
After dinner Mr Reid went to bed at 8.30 - can't take the pace. while the rest of us stayed up a bit longer. Need to go now - up at 5.50am!