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and finally . . .

28/8/2014

Hi,

Been home a week now, how strange it is to be back to normal life. I have had the most amazing experience in Malawi this summer and had the chance to do the most amazing things and meet so many amazing people. Amazing!

I would like to thank everyone who helped me get there, especially all those at Lichfield Dolphins. I want to let you all know that the money I took out with me I have passed onto one of the more long-term volunteers who is currently organising the building of a new orphanage in Namakoma, the village we lived in. So the rest of the money has gone towards building materials for this. So a little bit of Lichfield Dolphins will always be in Malawi!

Thank you once again to everyone involved and I would like to encourage everyone to go and do something like this because it is a properly eye-opening experience.

Thank you,

Martha

Began to say my goodbyes to some friends

21/8/2014

Hi,

Resutls day is here, i got my grades to get into the University of Edinburgh to study archtechture! So happy, and to make it even better I am sat on the beach findng all the news out.

This week has been my last at some places, so began to say my goodbyes to some friends I have made out here. I have been doing some more teaching, and sports (this time football) which has been lovely as always. In my last few days on project I have planned to do some wall painting in the library with the children so hopefully that will work out as it would be nice to leave my mark in Malawi in some way.

Going to have a results day celebraton tonight Malawi style.

Last few days so home soon,

Martha

Last week now, it's gone so quickly

11/8/2014

Hello,

I have had another amazing week. I got the chance to work at an orphanage with a few disabled children in which was so lovely to see how happy they are. Hope to go back next week.

The African themed party went really well, nice to see all the teachers and staff to thank them for their hard work.

This weekend we had the chance to climb up the Zomba plateau. Had the most amazing day, the views were just incredible. Also got the chance to do some horse riding (which I haven't done in years) so that was really cool!

Last week now, it's gone so quickly. I am getting my exam results on Thursday morning so I am having the morning off project. But other than that this week will be full of saying goodbye to people I have met out here.

Hope all is well,

Martha

We all get to dress up (yay)!!

7/8/2014

Hi all,

Once again back at project, school has broken up for summer so we have begun to teach summer classes. I handed out pens pencils and rubbers to the children, they all got very excited!

We are going to have a party on Thursday to say thanks to all the teachers, school staff, MVO volunteers. It is African themed so we all get to dress up (yay)!!

Hope all is well,

Martha

Time goes so quickly out here

3/8/2014

Hi

Half way through already, time goes so quickly out here.

I have been on project all week this week, doing more teaching, more sports and more art! We watched the local football teams play on Wednesday. Some of the volunteers played in the MVO team, which then won the game! I have been doing more hockey this weekend, which is now known as 'dust hockey'. Hockey is a new sport in Malawi so people are very excited to have a go.

We have bought more uniforms and toys for the children at the orphanage, so there are about 20 more children that can go to school now which is such good news.

Hope all is well at home,

Martha

Teaching at the orphanages is amazing

29/7/2014

Hiya,

Back at project since Monday, teaching at the orphanages is amazing. I am just beginning to learn all of the songs and dances they do. For example, whenever someone does something good or gets something right we dance and chant 'WELL DONE, WELL DONE, SURE, KEEP IT UP' and all the kids join in! After morning teaching we make porridge for them as one of their meals for the day, lots of them are still in the process of learning to eat without making a mess as it seems more porridge gets on their face than in their mouth!

The girls in blue are the girls your money have paid for uniform so they can go to school, they may not look it on the picture but they were very happy!

Went swimming in the lake yesterday, the temperature of the lake isn't warm but it's a nice break from the heat out here.

Hope all is well at home and send my love to everyone working at the intensive courses!

Martha

Back to our projects this week so back to school

27/7/2014

Hi again,

Sorry if there is a delay with emails, WiFi is very limited.

Safari was amazing, we were at lilonde national park, we saw the most amazing stars at night and then all the animals in the day. One of the most amazing experiences of my life! On Sunday we taught some of the local teachers hockey which was amazing and also very very hot!! Back to our projects this week so back to school for me.

Hope this is going okay,

Martha

The beach is our local WiFi spot!

27/7/2014

Hi again,

I promised photos (in my uniform too!) so bring photos. The beach is our local WiFi spot, just to make you jealous.

Just been in librarys and orphanages in the past few days. It is amazing to teach the children (of classes up to 200 children!) English and numbers. The orphanages have younger children so they are all about 3-5 years old. We also give them some porridge each day, which is made in a big pot by the staff at school. Off to safari this afternoon in the national park in Malawi, so hopefully see lots of animals.

Martha

There at last

24/7/2014

Hi!

So amazing here. I haven't really had a full day, been having tours, and visiting orphanages and local towns. Already been able to send some girls to school, and teach some English! The flights were fine, easy really, and the people are so lovely.

I will send a photo with my next email, struggling to get then from my camera to the phone!

Hope all is well,

Martha

Martha is on her way

20/7/2014

Hi there,

Just thought it would be nice to start it at the airport..

Just about to depart from Heathrow heading to Malawi, Africa. After (somehow) managing to skip the mile long check in queue and whizzing through security.

I am just waiting around for my flight. Hopefully all will run smoothly and I will touch down in Malawi in around 16 hours time.

Martha