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On Wednesday, March 4th, I traveled with Wellings Mwalabu to the village of Disi to attend the Conservation Agriculture Field Day that was organized by VIP, for Disi Village and the surrounding villages. The purpose of Field Day is to give farmers the opportunity to see first-hand sustainable practices being used and to ask the farmers who did the practice questions that only a person who has had the first-hand experience could answer.  This is a very effective way to educate farmers about new technologies and a practice that is commonly used in the US as well.  

Upon our arrival, a welcoming team of drummers, dancers, and singers greeted and escorted us to the meeting.  It became obvious right away, that this was much more than your average field day, this was the celebration of the people and practices that puts food on their tables. After the introduction of many local village Chiefs, the demonstrations began in earnest.  I would estimate that approximately 200 people participated in the tours. There were demonstrations of composting, conservation tillage – where plant residue is left on the soil surface to protect the soil and retain moisture, minimum tillage techniques to reduce soil disturbance, new maize variety trials, groundnut (peanut) certified seed production to reduce disease problems, and instructions on how to collect plant samples for a local office of the Malawian Ministry of Agriculture for plant disease diagnostics. Interestingly, I had organized a workshop in New Jersey in late February on cover crops, and many of the practices covered in the field day were the same as in my workshop. This is a credit to the VIP staff for staying abreast of emerging sustainable agriculture practices and promoting them in Malawi.

After the demonstration tour, we returned under the beautiful shade tree that graces the center of the village where the celebration of agriculture and life continued. There was a humorous skit, intended for educational entertainment, where a farm family was planting maize. The wife wanted to use conservation practices and the husband didn’t want any part of it. I did not understand what they said, but I could tell the outcome because they ended up following her wishes. Then more dancing and singing and celebration pursued. There was a time for the VIP staff to say a few things about the importance of this field day and the Chief of Disi gave a very inspiring speech. While I didn’t understand what she said, she was very convincing, because there were lots of heads nodding and clapping. I was given an opportunity to address the group and sent greetings from my village in NJ (yes, it is called Jacksonville) to the villages of Malawi.  

I shared that there is a common bond between all farmers around the world and I felt very welcome here. Also, even though many of us had been taught how to farm by our parents and grandparents, and have become set in our ways, we needed to consider new practices, especially those that will help ensure that our children and grandchildren can continue this noble cause of putting food on our tables and those of our neighbors through God’s blessing. I would also like to convey special congratulations to Liz Heinzel-Nelson, Wellings Mwalabu, Frank Mwenjemeka, and Laston for their successful field day, well done!

On a beautiful August afternoon during my Friendship Trip in Malawi, I traveled to a village for a goat deworming and goat pass-on ceremony. After this life-changing afternoon, I came home with a determination to tell my story and share my experiences. At my school, I am the head of the Hearts for Africa Club and my club is holding a Goat Drive this month. Instead of a Winter Coat Drive, we are holding a Winter Goat Drive which raises money to buy goats for the people in the villages. Since eighth grade, I worked with various organizations on the issues of poverty and food insecurity on a domestic and international level. Villages in Partnership is dedicated to helping Malawians who struggle with poverty, and a goat is one way for a family or individual to break from their cycle of poverty. A goat can provide economic stability and nutrition, which are both essential in order to become self-sufficient. Thus, I decided to hold a Goat Drive and all of the proceeds will go towards buying goats for vulnerable families in Malawi.

I became involved with Villages in Partnership two years ago, when Tory Huchro and her family spoke to me about her involvement. I soon became involved, and this past summer I had the opportunity to go to Malawi. While in Malawi, I was able to participate in a goat deworming and goat pass-on ceremony where I saw the value of a goat first-hand. The deworming medication is offered for less than 40 cents, which can ensure that the goat will remain healthy and continue to provide for the family. The children and their families came to the goat deworming site to make sure their goat can continue to support their family and economic needs.

VIP’s Malawian staff members gathered everyone around as me and the other team members filled up syringes with the appropriate amount of medicine. Then, with the help of VIP’s staff, the goat owners, and the local committee members, each goat was given the medicine orally. Similarly, I was able to participate in a goat pass-on ceremony. This is when a vulnerable family cares for that goat and when it has its first kid, they pass the kid on to another vulnerable family. After, the family is free to make money selling the subsequent offspring to markets and other villagers. The families that receive the “passed-on” goats from their neighbors follow the same course, and slowly but surely the gift of one goat from one donor multiplies and spreads throughout an entire village.

All in all, a goat means so much to a family in Malawi and I saw first-hand the short term and long term benefits. They are one of the primary sources of animal protein for the villagers and the sale of goats is a significant source of supplementary income for many of the farmers as well. The cost of a goat is $50, but in reality, it is worth so much more. A goat gives us the opportunity to transform the lives of many families and provide hope for a brighter future. Click here to give the gift of a goat!

Coming to Malawi, I didn’t know how much of a connection I could have with someone who lives in a remote, rural area of Malawi. The travel to arrive at this place was over 24 hours. Surely that means the distance between New Jersey and Sakata would influence the differences between myself and a VIP staff member of Malawi. However, I’ve found that I am able to connect with members of the local team without any difficulty. Gracious Mtemanyama has been by my side every step of the way it seems. Explaining the nuances of the Malawi culture whether I asked him a question or not. Kondwani and I rode in the truck together eating Malawian donuts, chatting and laughing as if I was on a road trip with a buddy from back home. As Gracious and I chopped up maize husks and peanut branches at Sitaubi Village, the villagers sang a song that accurately describes my experience. The Chichewa lyrics translated as, “We are all the same.”

This is my second trip to Malawi— the first time I came was for only 5 days in 2016 on a medical mission trip. This time, I am lucky to be able to stay for three whole weeks, participating first in a Friendship Trip and staying for the following medical trip. It’s impossible to comprehend that today is only our second full day here. A Friendship Trip is exactly that— we have gone into different villages and met villagers and helped alongside them with some of the work required of village life.

When I was trying to describe it to a friend before I came, they suggested this was really just “3rd World Tourism” and wasn’t that being incredibly condescending? I assure you nothing could be further from the truth. VIP is genuinely partners with its Villages.  Even though the participants on the Friendship trip change, we are all welcomed as part of the Village family.  Today, as we arrived, the Village we were entering had gathered early in anticipation.

As soon as they saw our trucks, they leapt in the air cheering and singing and dancing. This wasn’t some elaborate stage production waiting for its cue— it was genuine, passionate, cracked-wide-open love, and there aren’t words to describe how free and unabashed their expression was. As a doctor, I’ve been with people at the very best and very worst times in their lives, but this collective expression of unbridled joy is something I’ve never experienced.

5 am start to the day. It’s the first day of clinics and we need to load all of the supplies for the clinics. We carry hundreds of pounds of supplies from storage and await the truck which we are to load. As the truck arrived I find myself doubtful that we will be able to fit all of our supplies. Thankfully we are able to get everything we will need loaded onto and tied down to the back of the truck. our next obstacle to over come is how we can get people we need to unload the trucks from Naming’azi  farm to the clinic sites. The cab of the truck can only hold 3 people and it would be a monumental task to unload the truck with just 3 people. The solution we found was to  have 2 of us to ride on the back of the truck, clinging to the ropes which are tying down the supplies all the way to the clinics. Thankfully our driver is a pro, we all worked extremely hard to unload the truck, and we were able to transport the supplies to the clinics without incident. what an exhilarating start to a wonderful day!

Written By: James Reist

During my trip this past summer in Malawi, I had the privilege to meet with Mrs. Chimenya from the Kalupe Village. A VIP staff member mentioned she had tremendous success with conservation farming practices she learned from Villages in Partnership. After hearing this news, Jordan Heinzel-Nelson and I made a visit to speak with her in person. We were both excited to hear about her success first-hand. As we pulled up to her house, we noticed she had a produce stand set up outside by the dirt road with a variety of vegetables and grains. This stand was a good sign since this meant she was making a form of income and had extra crops to sell.

As we approached her home, she came outside to greet us with a big smile on her face. She seemed so happy and full of life as she greeted us. We also met her children who eagerly accompanied her along with her husband after they heard of our arrival. Soon after we finished our greetings and introduced ourselves, a bamboo mat was laid out for us to sit on and spend time with the family. Jordan asked the translator if we could ask her some questions and she eagerly replied saying “yes”.  We quickly learned a lot about Mrs. Chimenya and her family after asking a few questions about her life in the village.

She told us that after her husband suffered from a stroke, it was up to her to support them along with their 7 children. Her husband previously had a job with the government which kept them stable so this sickness was a shock for their family. On her own, she would only collect on average 8 bags of crops during harvest. After VIP provided her with conservation farming training, she doubled her harvest and was able to gather 15 bags of crops from her fields. With this abundance, she was able to sell the extra to pay for school fees for her children.

Mrs. Chimenya explained to us how conservation farming works for her crops. She was taught to use maize stalks similar to hay which prevent the immature crops from becoming damaged from the heat of the sun. This technique also helps to lock moisture into the soil and keep the ground from becoming dry. As the maize stalks decompose, they return nutrients into the soil. With this technique, she planted an assortment of crops including maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, and ground nuts. After talking to her and the family, she then showed us her fields where she does her work in addition to her stand in the front of the house. At the end of our visit, they brought us sweet potatoes to eat and showed so much gratitude for VIP’s work.

On this my 4th time to Malawi I still find my heart leaning in with the Agogos.  I love these women.  They have already had a long full life and yet here they are caring for their grandchildren and orphans as well.  Life here is not easy.  These women have been gathering water for their families their entire life. This entails walking varying distances and carrying about 20 lbs on their head and neck back to the home.  They have also been preparing food over open fires and literally stooping completely over to cook the food over the flames while smoke barrels into their faces.  I won’t even mention the pit latrines and how there are no toilet seats ….  All this to remind us of their way of life and what it entails to survive physically and mentally in the villages.

Most have also lost children and husbands.  No time for grief, water must be fetched and dinner made ready. Now in their later years, they are not resting and enjoying their golden years they are still raising children only it’s grandchildren and orphans this time.  Their parents either have died or simply left.  They still must carry babies on their backs, work their field, and pray for God to provide in their time of need.  These same women are the ones that greet the team with singing and dancing. They praise God for the blessing of the visitors and share their joy with us.  It is contagious and captures my heart completely. Their strength and resilience is amazing and it is a gift THEY give to me.  I can hear them even now (back on American soil) and I pray for them.  Father in heaven, hear their prayers, hold them in your hand and love them as only you Father God can. Amen.

Filled with singing, dancing, and celebration, graduations are a lively part of Malawian culture even at preschool age. As we pulled into the ceremony, there were hundreds of parents, teachers, and students gathered to witness this exciting occasion. Over 18 preschools were in attendance with 200 children who will now be moving to Standard 1 (First Grade) at Primary School in September. Upon request from the villages, VIP supported all preschools in attendance making this graduating class possible. Our group was directed to sit with the chiefs of the villages in a highly respected front row tented area. The MC then invited us along with the chiefs from the villages to get a glimpse into what the students were learning during this past year.

We were brought into a crowded room with different sections representing various areas of teaching and learning. For example, there was an outdoor playing area, creative art area, block and building area, music and instrument area along with others. The children beamed with excitement as they demonstrated their new skills learned over the past year at each station. By observing, we saw the well-rounded approach taken by these preschools. As we made our way back to our seats, a play or “drama” began in the center of the event. There were two men dressed up speaking loudly in Chichewa as the crowd roared with laughter. The translation of the play was hard for me to follow; however, the Malawians definitely appreciated their humor. After their performance, each preschool was invited up to the microphone to show case what they learned.

I was surprised to see each school represented in this way. Back in America, a group this large would typically be addressed as one group. Malawian culture has a way of making you feel individually noticed and appreciated. As the preschools came forward, the children presented a skill they learned. Some recited their ABCs into the microphone, counted as a group from 1 to 100, while others sang songs together. After each group, the DJ played music and the crowds would break out into a dance including the MC. Following the 18 preschools that were presented, speeches were given from Mwalabu and Liz. The last stage of the graduation was to hand out certificates to each student; however, everyone decided the ceremony went on for too long. Instead, they brought up two students from each preschool to represent making the flow more manageable. As the ceremony came to a close of course the Malawian way called for more celebrating by sharing Obama bread (named after our former president) and drinking Coca Cola. Sharing this joyful occasion with the Malawian community reminded me how important it is to celebrate every accomplishment in life no matter how big or small.

Packing is one of the most important steps when preparing to go on a trip to Malawi. Proper planning will ensure you have all the items needed to make your experience the best it can be. The trips also give us the opportunity to bring over supplies, gifts and clothing to vulnerable families. To avoid feeling overwhelmed by this process, this post will cover everything you should have in place before leaving.

Travel Packing: When preparing for your flight, don’t forget to bring your passport along. Remember to check if your passport expiration date is valid, at least 6 months from the departure date, prior to leaving. Once you arrive at the Blantyre airport, there will be a $75 visa requirement that will be paid in cash. Malawi largely remains a cash only economy. We suggest you bring $100 to $300 along with you on your trip in cash since there are very few ATMs. Cash can be exchanged at a Foreign Exchange Bureau. Since the flight is long, we suggest wearing comfortable clothing while traveling.

Clothing to Pack: Women in the villages dress modest and avoid showing their legs and shoulders. We ask that all women pack long dresses and skirts well below the knee along with a slip to avoid see through fabric. For shirts, plan on packing tops with sleeves; t-shirts are acceptable to wear. For men, pack causal light pants only (no shorts), t-shirts, and collared shirts. Everyone should plan on bringing a dressier Sunday outfit for church. In addition, pack light jackets, rain jackets, sweatshirts, pajamas, sturdy sneakers or shoes for rough terrain and sandals. Women can also wear chitenges which is a large piece of cloth that is wrapped around your body like a skirt. During the trip, we’ll stop at a fabric store for those of you who would want to bring home this beautiful fabric.

Additional Items to Pack: To make the most of your trip, we suggest you bring the following items. Headlamps and flash lights are suggested to pack for night. If you would like to bring food from home, bring items that can easily be stored like granola, trail mix, and power bars. Pack a refillable water bottle. Jugs of clean water are provided at the farm to refill your water bottles. In addition, pack a backpack, a Bible, books to read, a journal, cards or games, pens, paper, hand sanitizer, soap, shampoo, and small gifts for Malawian colleagues. Often, one suitcase is packed with items specifically for the villagers including tooth brushes, tooth paste, light blankets, t-shirts, fabric, soap, Vaseline, and picture books with dark skinned characters.