Captured moments

The past 10 weeks seem to have flown by in a matter of seconds, but that always seems to be the way when your having a great time.
Now it's back to normal. Time to get into some sort of routine and decide what to do with the rest of my life.....
No Biggie! hehe

Nearly 2 weeks since arriving back home I have finally sorted through well over 2000 photos and I am ready to share. Theses are a small selection from week 1 - 4.
After being thrown straight into orientation, we made the surprisingly seamless transition into Sangilo. Despite the lifestyle being very different in contrast to what we are used to, everyone's friendly and welcoming attitude made it that bit easier to settle in and adapt.
Sangilo, being a pretty small place, didn't take long to get to know. Admittedly I spent the first week getting lost in cassava fields and random bushes, but I can now happily say I have learnt every route and short cut there is to know (thanks to Isaac).
Week 1 to 4, was focused on introductions and meeting different people, organisations and committee's we would be working closely with. As an education centred project, the majority of our time was dedicated to observing and assessing the nurseries, in addition to developing new resources and materials for those currently functioning with nothing but a blackboard. Through doing this, we were able to introduce a wide range of teaching/learning resources, as well as sustainable new practises and improvements. In Malawi things run rather slowly, and that's putting it nicely. It's no surprise, with a beautiful, relaxed way of life you wouldn't expact any different, but I was always concerned we wouldn't get anything done. Luckily this wasn't the case....

UK Volunteers (UKV's) excited and ready to check in at Heathrow Airport

  

One of many beautiful Malawian Sunsets

Orientation in Mzuzu

A Sangilo Welcome

Meet the Sangilo Family! x

My amazing host family

Phulano Nursery Committee & Care Givers

Jennet & Charity, two of my 4 host sisters.

Phulano Nursery in Action.

Porridge Time

Fun at the host home

Lake Malawi

First of many beach fires

Office Antics

Karonga Visit

Don't worry, there's more to come but enjoy for now, 

Tan xx

Touch Down in London Town!

Pre-Departure at Heathrow Airport

Home Sweet Home - Touch Down in London Town!

For those of you who don't already know....

I'M BACK!!!

I arrived on Friday and now all rested up, I couldn't resist the opportunity to update you guys! It's taken a while to adapt back to living in the UK and although I'm still not quite there yet, I'm happy to be home.

The past 3 months have been quite eventful to say the least, but arguably the best few months of my life. Malawi is a beautiful place, full of wonderful people and the only thing currently occupying my mind at the moment is....When am I going back?!

Being back is a very odd feeling. It's almost as though I am returning to a home away from home, only this feels like a 5* palace in compaison. Wh needs it eh?!
Arriving in Malawi, I was mentally prepared for the conditions I would be living in and almost knew what to expect. Returning is a whole other story! 
Going from nearly nothing, to almost everything is pretty overwhelming. As expected it will certainly take some getting used to but I can now say I see everything around me with a whole new level of appreciation.

Busy old London hasn't changed one bit since leaving, however things are a lot different when coming from slow moving, easy-going Sangilo. Everything here is soo new...and big...and...different!
Was I really as grumpy as everyone else before leaving??....and how the Hell did I move around this fast? Why is everyone is a rush???

Enough of my waffelling for now...it's great to be back and have an update and photo's for you very soon....

Home Sweet Home

Tan xx