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

Message from Malawi

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Hello all! 

Yes it has been a while.

Although we were told there is no internet out here in the middle of no where....there is! Don't get too excited, connection is practically non-existent and it takes weeks to upload anything.

Last weekend we reached two milestones. First being I turned 21 (YAY!) and we officially past our halfway point!

Mid placement review, although held a week early to avoid election uproar, we were glad for the break and the opportunity to welcome our sub-team based in Mzuzu, to our home here in Sangilo.

My host home and new family have been absolutely lovely. I have inherited the world's most over-protective father and hard working mother ever, as well as a bunch of awesome kids. 

I am surprised by just how enjoyable going back to basics has been. I have come this far without missing running taps, showers, toilets, electricity, the internet and more...far from what I had originally expected before leaving the UK. 

Sangilo being unimaginably picture perfect has probably had a little to do with that! I couldn't wish to be anywhere else in the world. 

Progress on both nurseries and secondary projects have come on leaps and bounds in the last week. We have introduced new teaching and learning resources into nurseries that previously functioned with barely a blackboard and chalk, and continuing with adult literacy has been lots of fun...village elders make great students.

Teachers, Chiefs and nursery committees, charged with the same enthusiasm and energy as us volunteers, have injected immense efforts into the improvement of both nurseries to show a vast difference in comparison to where they started 5wks ago. We still have some way to go but I have no doubt in the team and communities dedication. 

The team here in Sangilo has become somewhat of a second family. Having built great friendships between both UK and Malawian volunteers, I look forward to keeping in touch in the future.

I must also say a Huge thanks to the team for throwing the best ever 21st birthday-nursery sleepover Sangilo has ever seen! They even made me actual cake, which out here is heaven on a plate considering how hard junk food is to come by. Food is  probably the thing I have missed most and definitely something I am going to enjoying on my return.

Sangilo has since become a home away from home, and although I look forward to returning to my UK home, a small piece of me will for sure remain here.  

There will definitely be a few tears when the time comes to leave for good, but till then I am here to enjoy this beautiful place and all of the wonderful people I meet along the way! 

Hugs and kisses all the way from Sangilo, Malawi

Tan xxx

Over & Out

Two things to celebrate today....

Firstly it's Departure day!!
Secondly, my blog has reached 1000 hits!!!

Thank-you to everyone for your tremendous support. It has been absolutely invaluable and I may well have gone slightly crazy without everyones encouraging words of wisdom and all the belly laughs along the way.
This is the exciting bit, so I hope you continue to follow my story whilst I'm away (or when I'm back depending on when I can get you an update).

I cannot begin to describe how I am feeling!

My bag has been packed and re-packed a million times over, my passport and travel documents are waiting for me by the door and a box of tissues sit off to the side as I say my final goodbyes.

Needless to say I am now far beyond the point of excitement, and inevitably a little sad, nervous and scared.
In just 2 hours I will be airport bound to meet my fellow volunteers, where we will receive our farewell packs and later board a plane to Lilongwe, Malawi. 

This is the adventure of a lifetime and I have 3 months to make it count....

the real journey starts here and now!

xx

P.S I don't know when I will next have access to the internet it is goodbye for now, but look out for updates on here, FB, twitter 'tanushri_d & instagram @tanushrid x

Leap of Faith

My very LAST day in London!!!

One question I have continually asked myself is, are you ready for this? Can I really prepare for such a drastic lifestyle change (and I don't mean packing wise)? Can I cope knowing there is only so much I can do? Do I really know what I've gotten myself into???

Honestly, I still cannot answer these....but I am definitely ready! The decision did not need a second thought, but all the same, was not made lightly. 

Is anyone ever ready for such a change?

I am most looking forward to my new family. Integrating myself into an entirely new community nearly half way across the world. A community that is decades behind my own in means of development and technology (probably a whole lot richer in other means, I'll come back and let you know!).  

I wish to find a piece of home in Sangilo,Malawi.....but hope it won't be too heart breaking to leave because I've heard otherwise! However small, I leave knowing I will return a changed person, having learnt more about, both myself and a whole new culture. 

It's important to step out of your comfort zone now and again. This is my biggest adventure in life so far....so here goes

My leap of faith!

xx