contact

i've gotten inquiries as to how to contact me...obviously email works though it is slow as the connection is slow and getting to the connection (though right next door) is sometimes tricky.

an address that might work:

Jessi Stitt
c/o Dr. Rhona MacLean
Nkhoma Mission Hospital
POBox 48
Nkhoma, Malawi

though the post here has not always been the most reliable (read: don't send anything if you really really don't want it to get lost--send it with someone coming if they have room)

my phone number is 0265999122653 and any time after noon is a good time to call. which should work for most of you as it is afternoon when you get up in the mornings:)

Nkhoma Mountain

Climbed up Nkhoma mountain this morning. Lovely hike, even better when you are on the actual trail. We started up around 8. 5 of us. The 3 guys had been told that long pants would probably be nicer as the trail is quite overgrown. Rhona and I were warned but decided that climbing a mountain in pants on a sunny hot day was not a wise endeavor at least not for our emotional state of being. We were right. Had to stop and wait for one of the guys to run back and change because jeans were the wrong thing to wear. Continuing on we found Lake Nkhoma and started up and up and up. The sun was out most of the time. Lots of water lost on the hike up but the views from the top were spectacular. About half way up we lost the main trail but we had brought a machete and didn’t necessarily know any better so we followed a goat trail and made it to the pinnacle. Great breeze up there too. After staying what has proved to be too long (some sunburns were discovered once we made it down) we headed down and found the Mountain Hut (place you can stay on the side of the mountain). As we walked around the front we saw 3 baboons running away quickly.

I’m pretty sore today—really need to get some more exercise…can’t wait to go back up though.

Lilongwe

I went in bright and early as I was able to catch a ride from the hospital with a doctor going to work in a clinic in Lilongwe. The car was similar to a Jeep Cherokee and we put in 7 people and luggage. Made us feel more like we were in Africa. I went in with 2 med students who had to go and join the Malawi Medical Council and other various errands. Joining the Med Council was easy. Then we had breakfast and headed to the Immigration office for my visa. I went in gave the man my passport and he asked what I wanted. “to extend my visa.” “go back to your country. What is wrong with your country? I will extend you 2 days” “what? That’s not nearly enough. I’m not ready to leave.” “how long do you want then?” “60 days. Well, actually can you give me 5 months?” “I’ll extend you 2 days” as he writes 60 days and sends me to the cashier to pay for the visa. Well, now I know that I’m here till the end of March.

happy times

So I spend lots of time with staff at the hospital and hear about all that goes on and all the differences that are found between working here and working at home and different protocols, access to drugs, translating, and so much more. They often ask for a good/funny/cute/some story from school and I’ll have to admit that up until about this week I was at a loss for a good story…that sounds terrible but I just couldn’t see past the frustration and confusion I felt in teaching and not understanding and being understood.

Tuesday—we have gotten some new puzzles and they might be a little too hard for kindergarten. The kids don’t quite get the idea of matching the colors or straight edges to put the pieces together but they still want the picture to come out right. And the new puzzles are much better than the ones they’ve had and can do without thinking about. So we’re working on them and some of the kids are figuring it out faster than others. Patrick was working on one and just getting frustrated so I knelt next to him and gave him visual clues (basically pointing to the right spot) to put the pieces in. To see his face when he put that final piece in was to see the light come on and he was so happy. Big smile and a little dance led to a high-five and he was ready to do it again.

Today for story time I sat on the floor with the kids. They all crowded around and we read a book of nursery rhymes. They finished a few of the phrases and loved the lilting pattern of the lines. Then I let them go to get puzzles or books. Emmanuel, my child who understands some of what I say and sometimes just chooses not to sit or listen, went to get a book and then came back and sat next to me so we read it. He sits so passively and barely would answer my questions about the book. But when we finished the first he went to get another, came right back and sat down next to me, ready for the next story.

one month

This week has gone well. Monday and Tuesday were normal, crazy days and I’m either getting used to this craziness or it really is getting better. Everything still goes in their mouths and their ears stop working after I say someone’s name (that child’s and everyone else’s) but I’m not getting quite as frustrated. Wednesday I had to go into Lilongwe to renew my visa (upon entering the country you can get 30 days, then you can renew for 60 more, not sure what happens after that—we’ll see come end of March). Thursday and Friday were fine. I was very impressed on Thursday, I think that Lawrence-the assistant for the school who had my class Wednesday- did something magical. They seemed to listen just a little bit more. Today they were more normal and then it began to rain/downpour in the middle of their break/recess time…so they came in and had more class time as I can’t get them to play games yet as they don’t listen to rules. We read many stories and did puzzles. It was a good day.

a little on food

The food was amazing all weekend—you’d think we’d never seen some of the food before. Lasagne, chicken curry, ham, creamed spinach. Much of what we cook and see in the market right now is potatoes and tomatoes…so a tomato sauce of some sort with pasta and/or rice and potatoes sliced and put in the oven with oil is the mainstay of our meals in Nkhoma…lots of carbs. Luckily we have a garden and have been getting lettuce and green beans out of it. And then there is dessert—no worries about coming back after wasting away…cake, brownies, custard, apple crumble, fruit salad (apple, pineapple, mango). It is a great way to end our evenings.

At the market you can also find termites. I have not had them and would have to admit that they don’t look at all appetizing. Bartus (18, teaching math and physical science for 8th grade, from South Africa) bought some and mixed it with canned spaghetti…didn’t eat but 3 bites but claimed he was full. He gave it to the watchman who ate it all.

Monkey Bay

To the lake for another weekend. 6 of us—2 teachers, 3 med students and a dr. we stayed at Norman Carr Cottages. 3 hour ride (we got picked up) down a windy road, beautiful scenery all the way to the lake. We arrived in time for a swim or paddle (kayaks) and sunset. The water was much clearer here than at Senga Bay (but reedier as well). Each of us got our own “cottage”-a sitting room, king bed and outdoor shower. Talk about luxury. Had my first glass of wine in Malawi and it almost brought tears to my eyes, very nice. Dinner was lovely as was the sleep I fell into right after.

Saturday morning we went out on the boat to see the fish eagles and to snorkel. Watching the eagles swoop down to catch the fish was a great sight but our eagles weren’t very hungry. I think we all got some pictures so I’ll try to find some good ones. There were some very pretty blue striped fish we saw while snorkeling. The sun is strong here but we did very well at hiding in the shade any chance we got (not in the water).

Sunday we went out for another boat ride and to a jumping rock. Lots of fun and one more eagle sighting. After lunch and a quick siesta we loaded up and headed back to Nkhoma, none of us quite ready to finish our weekend but very happy with the time we’d had.

week 3

Monday and Tuesday were still tiring but they worked. The kids are responding a little more to my English. Listening a little longer. I’m still beat by noon. Wednesday and Thursday were great! I brought some music in to class that we listened to while doing some seat work after our break. The paper eating (did I mention that?) has slowed—not stopped but slowed which is encouraging. Thursday we went outside to play some ball games…only 2 kids got taken out with a thrown ball—we were working on rolling to the right person…hard to do when I can barely get them to sit in a circle even when I place them. Standing still is unknown—even standing where I place them…they immediately migrate together and then on top of each other. Hands to yourself is a foreign (in so many ways) concept. It was lovely to go home and feel that I hadn’t been run over.

Friday was a whole other story. My goodness. It was obviously the end of the week and it had been a long one for the kids as it was a full week (no early dismissal or public holiday). There was one kid that I couldn’t talk to at all. Well, I could talk as much as I wanted there was no understanding or listening happening. And with the rest of them they seemed to be taking their cues from him though not nearly as much. I was so relieved when 12 came. I was ready to send them home at 10 (and that is in the middle of their break/recess). Weekend!!

pics from the south africa hotel

the pool i could have swum in had i been there longer. nice view. taken from my room



blurry shot of the wildlife

monkey sighting

Outside during recess I saw my first monkey! And second. Rebecca calls out monkey and points over toward the toilet…I’m thinking she’s just seeing something funny (hopefully not someone using the toilet) but she keeps pointing. So I walk over to investigate. Can’t see a thing. Over there? Yes. Really? Yes. And then there it was! Walking along the top of the brick wall. As unconcerned with the people around as could be. Granted they were across the field from us, but still.

monday again

Woke up with more of a voice than I’d had since Thursday. (not really saying much) still sound funny as everyone I’ve talked to has mentioned. Class time was spent going over the first three days of creation and then gluing grass, a sun and cloud onto paper. And the challenge of not putting it all into their mouths—grass and scraps of paper, pencils, and crayons. I’ll hang them on the wall tomorrow and as we continue with the creation days I hope we can add to them. The hokey pokey has become a big hit at the end of the day. I should have known that “shake it all about” would work to get their attention.

weekend relaxation?

This weekend I stayed with the Ter Haar children (all 6 of them). Mom and Dad went to the lake. I agreed to this after about 3 days of being here. With the cold that I caught (probably from the same little people) I couldn’t really talk much and didn’t have any energy to speak of. And yet it went fine…only 2 criers on Friday. Of course they were up every two hours all night until I finally gave in and had them crawl into bed with me. Saturday felt like a marathon after not much sleep and kids all ready to go go go. Rhona came over (thank goodness) and we went to the market for lunch of chips (potato wedges) and coke (or fanta). After getting completely greased up (after putting the chips into the bag they add a spoonful of salt and some more of the frying grease) we went back home for some running around and then a movie. More tears before dinner so we called mom and completely broke down on the phone—even the one who had a smile on her face the whole weekend. Obviously we were overtired. Bedtime was no problem that night (I got a full nights sleep) Rhona and I got to go home around 4 only to have the realization that our weekend was over and work was up again tomorrow.

week 2

Week 2 seemed to go ok. I think we might be mastering top, middle, and bottom (as to shelves and blocks) colors red, yellow, green and blue, numbers 1, 2, 3. still don’t follow directions very well. Love to sing “where is thumbkin.” It was a short week—Wednesday we got out early, there was a funeral for the wife of the last synod executive and tomorrow (Friday is Chalimbwe day-he was the first freedom fighter in malawi against the colonial powers). And the end of the week couldn’t come too soon. I woke up Wednesday with a slightly scratchy throat and Thursday I lost my voice at break time (about 9:45am). I’m learning a little more Chichewa though my answers are still very forced (too much thinking)
Ma swela bwanji- how are you this afternoon?
Nda swela bwino, kaya inu- fine and you?

I asked today how to say sit down and be quiet. I might be breaking those out in class on Monday if I can somehow commit them to memory.

Last night I went to a meeting of the school team (group that has help to get the school up and running). They were meeting with the education secretary about how to register Ebenezer school. Must have 4 class rooms (almost there) bathrooms, playground, 2 staff houses, and certified teachers. 1 toilet per 10 girls and 8 boys (odd way to divide I think). So the plan is to register as soon as the second building block and the toilets are finished.

Swimming

So before leaving the states I was warned on many occasions that swimming was a very bad idea in Malawi. But the lake (Lake Malawi) is the defining feature of the country, beautiful beaches and islands. It runs almost the entire eastern border. It is also home to the snails that cause schistosomiasis as well as crocodiles, hippos, etc. when I left I had no plans to swim in the lake…of course I brought my swim suit because you never know where I might travel or get to use a pool. So Saturday some of the med students who come over to work at the hospital decided to go to Senga Bay. There was room in the car so rhona and I joined Ewa (74yr old pediatric dr here for 3 months), Gerome (Dutch med student) and Elisabeth (English med student). A 3 hour drive (with a long stop in lilongwe for some shopping and errands) and we arrived at a beautiful beach resort…and into the water we went. I did ask before jumping in—yes there are snails, yes you can get schisto, but there is a pill you take and it will kill it no problem. I figured the medical people are doing it so why not me? It was lovely. We had a great time. At dinner that night we had Chamba fish—the others ordered it whole and I ordered fish curry. Theirs came out looking at them and I was so relieved not to have gotten it that way…mine came out and it was a whole Chamba covered in curry sauce. Devastating. Way to many bones and I think there might have been extra fins and bones in my sauce…live and learn—next time I’ll order the chicken.

3 unexpected guests and a sleepover

So the Ter Haar’s youngest girl, Evi, had been wanting to sleep over since I arrived. I was able to put her off with the jetlag and the school starting but I figured a Friday night and what else was going on right? So I was home for the afternoon (tried to nap but had the Malawian mob of girls in the front yard). Rhona was at the hospital working. Evi arrived about 5. I was working on some school prep and she ran back outside to play with the mob. Came back in at 6 to shower before dinner—rice, beans, salad, and green beans from the garden—lovely. Rhona arrived home and we dished up. We are back in the kitchen when in walks Chapola (#1). Chapola is a mechanic that I’ve seen around. Willeke and I saw him at the airport last week and I’ve seen him 3 times as I was around Nkhoma. Time one: he invited himself to dinner on Saturday. Time two: I was walking to the hospital one day and he stopped me and gave me a lollipop. Time three: at the guesthouse when I went to introduce Rhona to the med students. Chapola just walked into the kitchen. He claimed we didn’t hear him knocking (totally possible but to just walk into someone’s house? Doors are now being locked). Gave us a bag of bananas and then left again. Dinner and dessert (evi brought pudding and mulberries), a game of go fish and off to bed for her. Rhona and I sat up and did some day debrief…wow this is a huge difference from being home (shocker right). Getting ready for bed and there is a bat in the house (#2). In my mind that is great—no idea how it got in but it is more than free to eat all our mosquitos…of course there is a reason that I got that rabies vaccine before I came but this didn’t cross my mind until after Patches (our cat) had caught and devoured the bat…as he sleeps with me I’m hopeful that doesn’t have the rabies now. Rhona found an enormous millipede (#3) in the toilet…flushed it down and we thought we were free and clear…until the next morning when Evi found it again swimming in our toilet…ugh. Fished it out with a hammer, tied it in a bag, and into the trash can.

i'm still alive

Week 1 is done. Well it is Friday now. I made it through. Exhausted. I think I could sleep all weekend but that wouldn’t do. Today was the best so far. Still working on the listening, even just hearing me when I speak. Understanding is going to take longer. Cleaning up at the end of the day is a nightmare. Lawrence, the teachers’ assistant, sweeps and mops everyday—I never would have imagined it was so necessary but it is. Today we played with balls, using the colors green, red and yellow, the numbers 1, 2, and 3 and Legos for the concepts of top, middle and bottom. And we’ll probably do the same thing again on Monday.

I got a housemate Wednesday night. Rhona from Liverpool. She’s a doctor and is working at the hospital (today is day 1 for her). I think we are going to get along very well.

day 2

Better than day 1 (though I think anything would be). I kept control until after the recess time. Time is still creeping by and 4 hours feels like a life time but I now think I might be able to make it. As soon as I figure out how to pass on the concept of cleaning up the puzzles and books we play with before going home. I’m in the midst of my first power outage. It happened right before dinner. This is a good reason to keep things charged up (for the glow it gives a completely dark room). Before I got here the power would go out almost every night. My first day I was given a candle and flashlight and told to keep it close…a week later it really did come in handy. Beautiful lightening going on outside and it seems much darker out as I walked back from dinner to the house.

First day of School

I was all ready for my first day. How to remember their names would be a challenge but I could handle that. Meet the teachers see the kids as they drop their bags and run out to play before school. Ready with calendar exercises and a little Bible lesson. They come inside. And I loose all control. They sit for only a moment when chaos reigns. I ask questions and get no response. Asked to draw something they do during the day and I get numbers. Lots of yelling (on their part-I’m pretty collected at least on the outside). Time goes by so slowly. But finally it is recess time. And they are out the door. When they come back in I’ve set up stations. And they all run to the coloring/scissors station and ignore the rest. Ok. Except there are only 4 pairs of scissors…learning to share to the tune of yelled miss jessi miss jessi or teacher jessi teacher jessi. Oh lala. And finally they go home. I think I’m ready too. What was I thinking?!! I fall into bed when I get home (2pm). But after a few hours and some perspective I’m “ready” for day 2.

Happy New Year!

New Year’s party at the Ter Haar’s. Dessert and fireworks. The fireworks happen before midnight because some of the kids aren’t going to make it. Lots of sparklers, some bottle rockets and others with pretty colors. The dad’s were having a great time lighting the firecrackers. Happy New Year’s to all! May you have a wonderful 2010!

Keys--who needs 'em?

Locked out! Welcome to day 3…I got to see my classroom and meet Don who had been teaching my class and is waiting to hear where he will be working (teaching) in Lilongwe. And then back to my house to see if I could break into my own place. 3 of the house workers, 5 kids who have just watched a lot of MacGyver and screens, bars and closed windows all around… lovely. An hour later, pry off the screen framework and send a kid through the bars and I’m back in and hope I have learned my lesson to keep my keys with me always. I walked around Nkhoma with Don to see the water treatment (nice system but not working right now), path to the mountain, nearby village, other schools in town and back through the hospital. He greets so many and they greet me but I can’t get the hang of the Chichewa (or even recognize that they are talking to me). Zikoma (thank you) (pronounced—zee-coma) is used constantly, hello, good bye, thanks and over and over again. Muli bwanji (how are you), ndili bwino kaya inu (I’m fine and you?)

Jetlag

Awake at 4 again…can’t wait to break that pattern. Of course I did go to bed at 8:30…I met the workers here at the house. 2 women to do the household chores, and 3 gardeners. I can’t imagine that I need 5 workers but I’m sure they will come in handy. Took a tour of Nkhoma with two of the kids…quick tour of the hospital, market and Ebenezer school. Still not sure how to get back to any of them except the hospital (it’s in the back yard). Dinner, devotions and games with the Ter Haars (who have graciously invited me to dine with them until my house mate gets here on the Jan 6th.

Nkhoma Malawi! 12/29

Awake at 4am. I love jet lag. Got up around 5. outside the window I saw a man walk to the right and soon after a herd of deer and antelope followed. So I went out to check out the wildlife. Geese, a spotted bird species, deer, antelope, and an ostrich. A little skittish but not enough for me to interrupt their breakfast. Back to the airport and I have made to Malawi!! With 2 out of 3 bags! Met at the airport by Willeke Ter Haar and 2 of her boys (of 6 kids). Willike is the person I’ve been corresponding with about the job. A few errands and on to Nkhoma. My house (Barbara Nagy’s) where I’ll be staying is wonderful. I’ll try to put pictures up soon. (the house comes with a cat too!)

South Africa 12/28

Made it to Jo’burg, South Africa! Sat next to an anesthesia expert who is coming to South Africa to visit her brother. In the next couple of years she is planning on a trip with doctors without borders with her plastic surgeon husband. For a 18 hour flight it was very nice to sit next to someone I enjoyed talking to. When we got off the plane I was wishing we could travel together for a bit before I had to get on another plane. Met Janet Guyer who is the presbytery liaison for AIDS in Africa (not sure of the exact title). Had dinner with her and passed on some things that I had brought to her. Then she drove me to the Airport Game Lodge. A very peaceful stay, nice room and I slept pretty well being about 8 hours out of sync with my body. tho awoke way too early.