Volunteer Report 「 Being a foreigner in Malawi 」

2024.07.26

Name:Mariko Kawamoto
Occupation:Public Health

It has already been four months since I came to Malawi as a public health officer for the 2023-3rd Brigade. When I write this volunteer report, it is June 2024 (winter in Malawi), Even in Salima where local people are posted, the usual phrases are "It's hot! There are so many mosquitoes!", but I am happy and excited to see the unexpected situation of I wearing down jackets and saying "It's cold!"
However, once this period is over, the hellish heat of September to November awaits, and as a winter lover, I'm scared from bottom of my heart. I was given the opportunity to write a volunteer report, so I would like to share my honest thoughts on the four months since I came to Malawi m(_ _)m

Let's start with the positive things!
①The friendly Malawians are true to their name, the "Warm Heart of Africa"
I always feel that the local people are so kind that this phrase, which represents Malawi, is truly worthy of praise. I felt this especially strongly when I finally started my own activities and began my hospital training in the capital. I am not a direct medical professional such as a nurse or pharmacist, nor do I have any particular knowledge of public health, so although I wanted to do something, I had no idea what I could do. Even so, during the short six weeks, I was able to have many new experiences every day, despite being a foreign volunteer with limited language skills.

Since coming to Salima, they have said things like, "Come over to my house for dinner," "Let's go to church together," "I'll braid your hair," and "Let's make nsima and cakes together." They greeted me and called me by name even from far away, and if I hadn't seen my houseowner's family for a few days they would come and check on me! Thanks to them I was able to enjoy myself on the weekends and it made me feel very at ease.

When I was in Japan, would I have been able to communicate with people from overseas in this way? Although I knew of their existence, they were merely strangers and I would just pass them by.. I think this was a good opportunity to reassess my own behavior.

↑My colleagues encourage me to give the job a try.

↑During the maize harvest season, everyone eats nsima together.

②There are a lot of people who are passionate about their work!
It is true that supplies and funds are in short supply in Malawi.. Nevertheless, the district hospital does not neglect its care at the health centers under its jurisdiction, and it also appears to be playing many other roles, such as educating staff at smaller village clinics and distributing posters and guidelines. In particular, education will enable more healthcare staff to be trained and provide medical care to residents who live far away and have difficulty going to hospitals.
If you walk a little way from the hospital, you will find yourself in an area of ​​bare land with a few houses scattered here and there. Nurses efficiently begin small-scale surgeries indoors, which are only enclosed and have a ceiling. Instead of saying "We can't do it" or "We’re not confident", they say "These are our duty!" I also get the impression that many people say, "We love my job!" Even though they know what needs to be done, the procedures, and the vision,, if they had the supplies and funds, they would like to study more!
I feel that grassroots activities provide many opportunities to hear their true feelings.

↑My colleagues take photos of my notes on who should be vaccinated and how often.

↑It's in a corner of Village Clinic, where surgeries are also performed.

③There are lots of fashionable people!
When I joined JOCV this time, I packed my clothes thinking, "Don't stand out, don't wear any accessories, keep it simple!", but when I arrived in Malawi,, I found that there are a lot of fashionable people here.. Chitenje may be the most representative color, but everyday clothing is also colorful, and in African countries, head-to-toe primary colors and patterned styles are surprisingly common. I also see people with braided hair, wearing accessories and heels. Oh no, I look so shabby... My uniform, shoes, bag, etc. were browned with dust... My female colleagues often give me advice like, "Do you wash that?" and "Women have to keep their belongings clean!" The ladies also look great in photos!

↑With participants at the exercise event walking to Lake Malawi.

Now, I would like to write a few negative things. Actually, after I decided that I wanted to apply for JOCV, I went to several information sessions and social gatherings, and had the opportunity to hear former volunteers speak. Then I suddenly thought, no one was saying anything bad... Of course, it was a JOCV recruitment event, and everyone had had good experiences so they wanted to talk about them... But nobody really said anything. It was only when I asked about it that someone finally said a few words. Why? Of course not...
So I try to write about it, beginner's edition m(_ _)m You can skip ahead.

①Never coming "I’m coming".
This phrase is very commonly heard in conversations. But this phrase no longer has any credibility. I thought my colleague would be back in a few minutes after hearing this phrase, but after I had been waiting for him for over five hours, he told me as if nothing had happened and that he had forgotten about me, which left me shaking with fear..
Another frequently used phrases are : repeating endlessly "Tomorrow" and "Nextweek", even though there has never been any contact "I will let you know".

②The never-ending calls of Azungu (local Chichewa for foreigner or white person) and "Give me money"
It seems that foreigners attract attention even when walking outside, and whether children mean well or not, they start singing the Azungu call in a loud, resonant voice. They approach me with a cute smile, and when I say hello they say, "Give me money". Children don't know any other English words, but they know that one. I wonder if their parents taught them that or what.
I once heard from a foreign friend living in Japan that he feels uncomfortable when Japanese call him "Foreigners". Now that I'm a foreigner myself, I can truly understand what it feels like.

③Shopping is a constant stream of price hikes!
When people see Azungu, fruit and vegetable vendors, restaurants, vehicles, and other businesses start charging several times the market price...
When I first arrived at Salima, I became suspicious, haggling over prices and listening intently to how much other Malawians were paying.
When money is involved, does the importance of "Warm Heart of Africa" fade into obscurity...?

However, this kind of thing doesn't just happen to me, and it could happen in any country. I believe the reason why former JOCVs share so many fond memories with us is because they had such a fulfilling time that far outweighed any negative aspects, and because they are filled with gratitude for the local people.
With one year and eight months to go, I am no longer "teaching Malawi" but rather "learning from them". In this process, I would like to explore how I can be of some help to Malawi in a "Pang'ono Pang'ono" (slowly and little by little).

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