Day 4: Bananagrams

Hi everyone back home!

Today was our 2nd working day in Malawi, which included painting a loo while a fierce football match was taking place. The sun has been shining and spirits were high. 

The day began with Flick and Dom waking at 6 to help with breakfast and collect water - with the help of Callum. It was down to today's leaders - Amy and Callum to deligate roles. 

One of today's highlights today had to be the spaghetti lunch (which was rather unsuccessful on Monday night when it was down to us to make essentially the same thing!)

Amy's army of adorable children only grew bigger - following yesterday's game of ring-a-ring-a-roses. We have also discovered our obsession with 'bananagrams', although our Inspire leader, Aimee, beats us every time.

Although it was not all fun and games as we all had the 'pleasure' of painting the interior of the long drops.  But not all down in the dumps as our poo tally chart has gone from strength to strength.

Currently, Shona and JC are involved in a match of our favourite game bananagrams, while Maisy, Callum's,  Lily and Pip are hard at work in the kitchen cooking up tonight's meal. Today was also a first for some as they attempted to wash their clothes - some need a little more practice than others!!

We miss you all but are very much enjoying our time in this amazing place. We are learning so much from this experience.

P.s Please don't forget to comment!

Love,

Ellie & Flick

Day 3: Blog!

Dear family and friends of Hurst Malawians 2K16,

Its the lads time in the limelight. 

Today was an exciting day for everyone, however the common phrase 'bring the good weather back with you' would make no change to the conditions back home.

On the first Tuesday of our expedition, we began the project. For Ellie and Big Cal it was a very early start. However, we were all woken up at (in my personal opinion) at a. obscene time by the high - pitched squeals of Callum's cold shower.

Here's a little rap prepared for you:

Breakfast was highly nutritious,
but it was also delicious,
mixed with peanut butter and honey,
it's not even funny,
it didn't have to be sunny,
to bring the honey out in everyone,
Dom and Call out.
(mic drop)

BOOM!
Simon Cowell sign us up.

After our scrumptious breakfast, we all got ready and headed out into the village. 

Fortunately for Erin, a bin bag was on hand to replace her absent rain coat. 

Once we headed out into the village we split into four groups; brick laying, brick carrying, sand moving and cement mixing, and carpentry. New experiences all round, especially in mixing cement and building the walls of the new toilet block.

Maisy confidently led the way with two bricks under her arms, followed by five year old girls carrying six bricks on their heads! Maisy also expressed her innate modelling skills, not even having to pose for Aimee's camera.

A portion of our time was spent making desks and tables to fill the classrooms that were built by former Hurst Malawians.

Arriving back at the house, the two of us boys got the Frisbee out (a bucket lid), however when the more pro Frisbee - er Pip Mooney had a try, the Frisbee,  en route to Callum's hands was 'blown' into a crowd of children.

This comes to the end of our time so Josh our leader doesn't have to stay up late typing it up (we had an extra 3000 words to explain everything in detail!). (I'm very grateful gents! - Josh)

To round it up, morale in the Malawi household is high, despite the rain - smiles all round! 

Please feel free to comment in the boxes below.

Love, the two boys

Callum and Dom
xxx

Day 3: Some photos from today!

Blog is following tomorrow morning!

Day 2: Chilangani

After an early start we left the Fisherman's Rest Lodge and started on our way to Chillingani. 

On the way we picked up Joseph our Project Officer. We then stopped at a feeding centre nearby to the village for children under 6. 

We helped give them their breakfast which was a maize porridge mix and sang with them. 

The hokey kokey was a particular favourite! They also taught us a chant where we were in a circle with people dancing in the middle. Maisy and Dom were asked to show off their skills and I think everyone was impressed! We then continued our journey.

On arrival in Chillingani village we were overwhelmed by the amount of people who came out to greet us. We had a delicious lunch made for us. 

Later on in the afternoon we were called out of our house by the sounds of drums and singing and we knew the welcome  ceremony was starting. During the ceremony there were lots of speeches and traditional dances, one which we got to join in with!

We also contributed to the ceremony with a rendition of 'Shine Jesus Shine', which wasn't received particularly well!! Afterwards we went back, cooked dinner and slept after a very busy day.

Day 1: Arrival

After the rather emotional goodbye at school we headed to Heathrow airport to catch the lengthy journey on the dream liner (consisting of sleep, movies and making bracelets. 

Finally we stopped at Addis Ababa to get our second flight to Blantyre. I think we can all agree, the highlight of our travels was the bus journey from the airport, listening to the drivers very own Gospel music album, eating sausage rolls and waving at the friendly locals. 

At last, we arrived at the rustic Fisherman's Rest in Blantyre, running in from the rain to devour a meal consisting of chicken stew, rice and beans followed by cake for Erins birthday (and trying to avoid the hairy spiders). 

Today we will be driving to Chillingani village and setting up camp  before starting the project.

Shona & Lily

Day 1: Arrival

Dear all

Just to let you know that the team have all arrived safely into Malawi and are on their way to Fisherman's Rest in Blantyre where they will stay tonight.

We will try and send a photo later on and another update then too!

Update from Malawi Inspire Leaders

Team Hurst!

We hope you're ready and raring to go - we've been out here almost a week now planning and preparing for your imminent arrival with the wonderful team at Joshua Orphan and Community Care.

We've visited the village, shopped till we dropped for everything we need and currently on route to check out Safari!

The villagers including chief and particularly the kids couldn't be more excited to welcome you to Malawi.

Safe travels and we look forward to seeing you soon - bring on the trip of a lifetime!

Aimee & Josh 

Ps it's hot during the day at the moment but chilly at night!