Wednesday

Early start today. Finished painting in the kitchen, dining & conference rooms. Started on the admin block. Put mesh on children's windows, toilets and other windows. The local volunteers were working very hard alongside us.

Also, Ollie played football with the boys, Hayley & Laura started on cushions, Emily & Rach decorated Matron's office, Dean started on the washroom and Graeme & Kenrine spent the day sourcing equipment for the kitchen.

Finished late today!

Tuesday

Started painting in the kitchen, dining and meeting rooms. Also, second path dug, gravel arrived and mesh put on windows.

Went to see the work that the Army does with orphans and vulnerable children in Mchinji - very moving. They work with 200 children; many are AIDS orphans. The women who look after them have a banking/loan system with the Army which helps them set up small businesses, so they can buy school uniforms, pay school fees, etc.

Went to the project in the evening so kids could do paintings for their rooms.

We all left our mark that night!

Monday: a long, tiring day

Between us we shifted 1000 bricks to Matron's house ready for the building. We scrubbed Matron's house and then dug & laid a path. There wasn't just the eight of us working - we couldn't have done it without the THIRTY volunteers who turned up. They worked so hard, as did the kids when they got home from school.

Sunday - an amazing day!

Morning worship at Mchinji Corps. Lunch was with approx. 100 community people - getting to know the people, and many have volunteered to come and help us tomorrow.

We had a lazy afternoon, playing cards on the porch, then over to the project to show the children DVD's the Army has made about child trafficking.

Start work tomorrow...

Saturday Night

Started well with a fabulous meal. The team: Dean, Emily, Graeme, Hayley, Laura, Ollie, Rachel & myself went to the project to see the kids dancing. Everyone got involved dancing around the drums. The kids have so much energy - a wonderful experience!

Then back to the Inn to clean off the dust, and with mosquito nets secure - off to bed.

Safe arrival in Malawi

Arrived safely in Malawi after delays. Our first port of call was food and water, then to the Kayesa Inn by 13.00. Will see the project after freshening up, then a nights rest before tomorrow.

Mchinji... almost set!

Well, Rachel and I have commenced our packing. Our flights leave at 8pm on Friday and we arrive in Lilongwe, Malawi mid morning on Saturday. From there we will have a drive to the village of Mchinji and will have chance to look around and meet the kids and the staff before heading to the Kayesa Inn.

It's all coming very close and the time since July when we first agreed to get involved has flown by.

We hope to have brief updates most days to keep you informed. Thank you Mr K!