End of one journey and beginning another...

Today was a wonderful last day in Malawi. It's hard to leave this wonderful place but it helps to know all the good we have done over the month and that I will be back. I signed the partnership agreement with NAPHAM this morning and I know it will be a great partnership!

This afternoon Matt and I met with Patience at the Kamuzu Hospital to learn about a program they are working on there. I will have more details to come about how you can help these adorable kids and their parents.

We also got to see the outside of Lighthouse, the building at the hospital that helps people with HIV/AIDS. I'm hoping that we can possible work with the patients there next year. 

This is probably the last post from Malawi! Can't wait to tell more stories an share pictures and video on Facebook and our website so don't forget to check us out!

Zikomo!

Saying goodbye to the Chisomo support group

Today was another difficult day because we had to say goodbye to more friends at the Chisomo support group. Not everyone was there because there was a training but it was nice to see those who were available. We spent the afternoon reviewing the materials that we gave them and advice for keeping track of all of their sales and money. They have already started to receive orders for scarfs in their soccer team colors, I know they will make great progress until the next time we see them.

Tomorrow we are hoping to get the partnership agreement with NAPHAM signed as well as is it a possible knitting HIV/AIDS group at the local hospital. Tomorrow is also our last full day in Malawi.

I'm sad to leave because I love working with everyone here and to see the great progress but I think it is time to go home and work on the US side of things until we are able to come back.

Saying goodbye to the Mtsiliza support group

Today was our last day working with the Mtsiliza support group. It was great to see their progress over the past few weeks. They are planning on selling their knit items this Saturday at the market and we wish them well. We got to witness another support group meeting where they discussed many issues regarding living with HIV/AIDS. It was hard to say goodbye to such amazing people but I know they have a great future ahead of them. I can't wait to come back and check up on their progress when I'm in Malawi next.

Tomorrow we give the Chisomo group their advertising sign and bid them farewell. It hard to say goodbye.

Chisomo poster!

We were going to meet with the Chisomo support group in zebra but they pushed the meeting back to Thursday. Here is their advertising poster though!

I am still knitting tons for another baby blanket before we go.

Matt has also gotten monthly budget sheets translated and bound for the groups to use over the next year so we can help them manage money and inform us better for our next trip!

Ta da!

I didn't post yesterday because not much happened. Matt and I just relaxed and enjoyed the day. I did finish the baby blanket that will probably be donated to the Crisis Nursery or local hospital. 

Today I did more knitting for another baby blanket. I hope I can finish it in a week before we leave. 

We emailed the draft partnership to NAPHAM and are waiting to her back to come to an agreement and sign it this week.

I have also been thinking a lot about how to sell the knitted items when I return home and we might sell through etsy. I will keep you up to dye in that progress. I am also thinking of trying to sell some items at boutique stores in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. 

We are meeting with each group over the next 2 days and will try to soak up as much of Malawi as we can before returning home. We will also be looking into our next fundraiser.

Baby blanket side project

Some of you may know that part of the reason Knit Around the World came about is because I love to knit for charity. I do still love to knit for charity but I know that education and empowerment can make a world of difference. So while I'm out making Knit Around the World a reality I am still knitting for charity. Currently, while in Malawi I've been knitting a baby blanket to be donated and here is the progress so far:

I have 2 squares left to knit then see it all up and donate. I hope to start if not complete another blanket in the next week so I won't bring that yarn home with me. I hope you've enjoyed our journey so far the past 3 week and I hope you will continue to support our efforts.

Meeting with NAPHAM!

Here I am in front of the NAPHAM headquarters before our meeting with the Executive Director about a partnership. Matt and I had a great meeting and it was a complete success! NAPHAM is a great organization that works all over Malawi with over 100 support groups and over 80,000 members. This is a great opportunity for Knit Around the World and NAPHAM. This weekend we will be writing out an agreement of partnership between us and NAPHAM and hopefully we will sign it into effect next week. 

We are now down to our last week in Malawi and everything is coming together smoothly. 

Errands, errands and more errands!

Today we were going to meet with someone at the local hospital about possibly advising a support group there but no plans were solidified so hopefully we can go another time before we leave. Instead we went around town looking for shops that might be able to sell the items made by the group locally and we found 2 different stores. One store, Africa Habitat, sells tons o stuff made in Malawi such as wood items, batiks, beaded items and even some knitted items so it sounds like a great option for the groups and we will pass along the information. Another store, La Galleria, focuses mainly on paintings and wooden objects but it could be a good option. These stores are directed for at tourists but would help spread the word about Knit Around the World and the groups we are helping internationally.

We also went by a stationary store to buy big receipt books so that the groups can document their sales more easily. This will help them calculate how much ad what was sold or the budgets that Matt prepared.

Tomorrow we have a meeting with the Executive Director of NAPHAM to discuss a possible partnership with them that will assist us to reach more support groups in the future. I is a fairly early appointment and I hope all goes well, keep your fingers crossed!

Knitting circles!

Today was another fantastic day. When we reached Mtsiliza we saw that they had purchased tons of yarn with the money from the sale of their scarves to Knit Around the World the previous week. The products that we saw today are fantastic! Here's a preview of some:

A baby hat and booties, not from a patterns and with no instructions or outside help!

Here's a ruffle scarf with short rows to make the ruffles (knitters will know this is no easy feat). 

I am so proud of this group and their innovations and creativity. After answering some quick questions and commending them on their impressive skills we got a chance to sit in on their group therapy and support meeting. They discussed health advice as well as an advice box for problems that can be shared and address anonymously. They made their own knitting circle! I'm beyond ecstatic to see them knitting and giving each other support, they are making the Knit Around the World mission a reality and its inspiring to see.

Thanks for all your support!

Returning to Zebra to work with Support Group 1

Matt and I went back to Zebra where Chisomo PLHIV Support Group (Support Group 1) is to check on their progress and talk to them about budgeting and advertising. I've never seen so many dedicated knitters, we were able to buy 41 scarves from this group just today. They are so hard working and excited to knit and help assist themselves and the group, it's truly inspirational. During this meeting I gave the group the baby blanket swatches that they can replicate or gather inspiration for their own patterns. I learned that the group members are interested in knitting socks, and for any knitter you know how cumbersome and difficult this can be to knit. I'm not quite sure how I will address this next week because it's very advances and unfortunately they don't have double pointed needles nor tiny circular needles so I might suggest tube socks. Any suggestions are appreciated, although I admit I'm not a huge fan of knitting socks, I prefer stockings where I only have to make one. Here is a preview of only some of the scarves they  made:

I can't get over how fantastic they look! I can't wait to order the advertising sign for this group, I know they are going to sell a lot with this wonderful work that they have knitted.
Matt worked with Martin and Amos regarding an example budget for the group and after we purchased the scarves he went over how to input the information so they know how much to pay each member and how much should go to purchasing yarn and needles as well as how much they should be saving. We mentioned that they might want to expand outside their local market and try to sell in Old Lilongwe because they can raise the prices there and get bigger exposure to more people.

It was a great success today and I know tomorrow will be just as productive if not more so, I can't wait until they see their advertising sign!

Advertising!

I apologize for not getting a post up for yesterday. It was incredibly windy when I went to post and the Internet was out for hours. Here is the post from yesterday:

Today was a relaxing and productive day. Matt and I went to Vitumbiko Screen Printing to order an advertising sign for our second support group and here's the result:

The sign looks fantastic and I can't stop smiling. I love watching all these elements come together to make Knit Around the World successful and helpful! I also spent the afternoon and evening knitting swatches or minimized versions of baby blankets for the group to emulate or draw inspiration from them for their own patters for different items.

I used the yarn that is available to them and the size needles they have access to and I found it difficult because I'm not used to using such small yarn and needles. I'm constantly amazed at what they can manage. 

Tonight Matt worked on a simple budget that we will present to each group over the next 2 days to help them manage the funds to pay each individual and create a savings to buy more yarn.

Matt arrived!!!

For those who don't know Matt he is a board member at Knit Around the World and a great family friend. This afternoon we walked around Lilongwe to familiarize Matt with the layout and important locations and then we spent time going over goals for the next 2 weeks. We are looking forward to doing many great things! There will be a better update tomorrow!

Whoa, we're halfway there!

As you can tell by the title we are halfway through our pilot program in Malawi and that means that Natasha left for the US today. It has been a fantastic 2 weeks so far and we've managed to accomplish a lot. These next 2 weeks with Matt should solidify the knitting support groups that we've met with and help them continue until our next trip to Malawi. 

After seeing Natasha off at the airport I mainly working on knitting squares for a baby blanket that will be donated at the end of the trip. Tomorrow I will pick up Matt from the airport and we will begin the next 2 weeks with the support groups!

My Last Day

This has been my last day in Malawi as I am flying out tomorrow morning.  It’s definitely bittersweet.  I have had a great time here but, of course, will be happy to be back in D.C.

Oddly enough, these past two weeks have felt like months but the end date has crept up all of a sudden.  I feel as though we have become very acquainted with the area and local practices and almost feel that we live here.   We have also accomplished a lot in these first two weeks.  Before coming, we didn’t have a definite group to work with, but now we have more than 45 people connected with Knit Around the World, and we have seen signs that the skill we have taught and promoted will help their standard of living and help them care better for their families.  It has also been very rewarding and enjoyable working with the HIV/AIDS support groups.  However, it has not been without challenges.  Trying to communicate with out speaking the local language and being a racial minority in a community with very little diversity has been difficult but a great learning and eye opening experience.

As I leave, I’m finally getting used to being called an “Azungu” every time I walk down the street, to the treacherous minibus rides which I still feel lucky enough to have survived, to the swarm of flies and mosquitoes that can’t be escaped (even when your bed is tented with mosquito nets), and to the city closing down at 6 PM.  I am definitely going to miss the friendly and positive attitudes, the friends we have made, the local culture, and everything in between.

Thanks again to all those who donated to make this trip possible, everyone who has followed us loyally on the blog, and to Kelly for the amazing work she has done to make this trip a success.  I’m sure Kelly and Matt, who will join her on Sunday, will make even better progress in the following 2 weeks!

Trekking to Mtsiliza and New Town

We had another meeting with the second support group today.  It went wonderfully, and we were able to purchase about 15 scarves to sell in the states.  They will be able to use the money from the purchase to go into town and buy more yarn so that they can start to become less dependent on us.  We spent the past few weeks forming relationships with the yarn and knitting needle vendors, which should help in their purchases as well.  We were fortunate to have a few more men join us today as well.  With this support group in addition to the other, we have about 45 people who are participating in this effort and who will be selling knitted products in their local marketplaces soon!

It is noticeable that the men in the groups have more difficulty picking up knitting than their female peers.   I have no doubt that they will learn to produce beautiful garments, but it was interesting to see this fact as we have witnessed the men here to be very artistically creative.  Speaking of this gender disparity, we have noticed that there are very interesting gender roles in Malawi.  For instance, netball or basketball is seen as only a women’s game, so men do not play it at all.  However, sewing and knitting isn’t seen as a gendered activity at all.  In fact, all the tailors and dressmakers we see on the streets are men and half the people currently selling knitted products in Old Town are men. Furthermore, it is common for people to hire men to manage or work on the cooking, cleaning, and maintaining of a house.  Also interesting is that hand holding among same-sex individuals is very common and signifies nothing more than a platonic relationship.

We spent the remainder part of the day visiting the City Center or the “New Town” part of Lilongwe.  Sadly for us, it appears that it only serves as a place for the embassies, five star hotels, and parliament to reside.  This would have been more exciting, but I couldn’t convince Kelly to break into Parliament with me so we could get a better look.  I mean of course us two Americans looked a little shady and were turned away at the gate.  Also, the embassies are hidden away, and I have to conclude that if we were in any trouble at all and had to find refuge, we would not be able to find the U.S. Embassy.  For some reason all the embassies had issue with any signage that illustrated which country they represented.  I also have to say that it was a little difficult to bear sight of the grand five star hotel that we mistook for a sports stadium and Olympic training center, as there was no sign there as well.  After being to Mtsiliza in area 49 this morning, it just felt wrong that there be that much opulence just a bus ride away.  Anyway, for all our efforts, below is a picture of the Parliament building.

Relaxation day!

As you can tell from our numerous posts that we are quite busy everyday. Today we got a really chance to relax and enjoying being in Malawi. I still did work on finding out about registering as a NGO in Malawi. There is tons of red tape and I still have a lot to figure out.

Today we took time to play some ping pong, knit, read and prep for tomorrow's meeting.

Natasha, being the fabulous baker that she is, decided to bake orange-chocolate muffins for tomorrow's meeting. 

I know everyone is going to love the muffins, I just hope it doesn't become an expectation because there is very little chance I will be the baker that she is, thoughtful and generous.

This is Natasha's last few days in Malawi but she has been a true blessing for Knit Around the World. She has helped immensely to raise funds, spread awareness and help teach those who want to learn to knit. Hopefully she will be back in the future.  

Meeting Our Second Support Group!

We had another early start today as we went again to the 49^th district of Lilongwe but to a different area called “Mstiliza.”  This area is off of a main road down a long dirt path, and the circumstances appear to be worse off than the previous area we visited.  We met our second HIV/AIDS support group in a classroom there.  The group was mostly female with a few men.  The majority of members could not understand any English, but similarly to the previous group, were able to pick up instruction easily by use of visuals.  We taught a few members with no experience how to knit, and, for the rest, introduced them to more advance patterns and helped them with difficulties they had with their garments.  Again, we saw great potential as the members showed interest in selling the knitted items in the market.  We’ll meet with them again on Thursday and will take the opportunity to get to know them better and teach them additional patterns.  See below for a picture of the good looking group!

Also, I wanted to respond in today’s post to a question posted the other day regarding how long Malawi has been politically stable and peaceful  and take the time to give a brief description of the role of politics here.  Malawi has been fortunate not to endure the amount of violence, war, and ethnic cleansing so many other African countries have been ravaged by.  Instead, after it became an independent democracy and renamed from Nyassaland to Malawi in 1964, it has endured a peaceful existence and an interesting political history, although obviously a troublesome economy as well.  While it has been politically stable, that is also not to say it has been without problems.  Dr. Banda, the first president of Malawi led the country to independence, but he was also responsible for making sure the Constitution declared the country have a single party system and he suppressed political opposition.  He was able to rule for nearly three decades and declared himself President-for-life.  Banda finally had to give way to public support for a multi-party system in 1993 and he was unseated in 1994.  In 2011, following in line with protests elsewhere on the continent, there were protests in Malawi as a result of poor economic conditions, and they did involve violence.  Fortunately, though, such incidences have not been common in Malawi’s past. 

Currently, the President is Joyce Banda (no relation to Dr. Banda), and the next election is forthcoming in 2014.  It is evident from talking to numerous locals that there is an active electorate here and a very active multi-party system.  There are dozens of political parties operating in the country who have conventions similar to our own to choose their candidates.   It seems that Banda is revered well, but the younger generation is looking for change.  So, it should be an interesting election to watch!  

Banda’s picture is hung all over town. As you see below, influences from British rule still linger as the signs declare her as "Her Excellency."

Prepping for support group 2!!!

Tomorrow we are going to meet with our second support group to teach knitting so today we did a lot of prep work. We got quotes about tags for the knitted items and possible bags to help carry yarn as well as an advertising sign for when they are selling the products. I worked again at trying to get a contact at  CONGOMA, the organization in Malawi where I have to register as a NGO. We might end up taking an adventure trip to Blantyre, Malawi to complete the paperwork. I hope it all works out.

We bought a bunch more needles because this group is expecting to be much larger than the last. We are very excited to work with another group. I love that we are making huge amount I progress!

It other exciting news, Knit Around the World was featured on www.knittingforcharity.org feel free to check out the article:

 http://www.knittingforcharity.org/spread_the_word_about_knit_around_the_world_a_new_charity_kn.html

Muli bwanji?

Today was our day of rest. Most of the shops are closed on Sundays so we have to waiting until tomorrow to continue with our to-do list. We spent our downtime visiting the Lilongwe Wildlife center where they rehabilitate rescued and orphaned animals.

It was great to walk around and see all the great things there were doing for the animals.

You may have notice the title of this post is not in English, it is Chichewa. Muli bwanji means how are you. This is a common phrase heard when walking down the street. An appropriate response is ndili bwino, which means I am fine. It is interesting to note how similar some words are to the English translation such as the months:

January= Januwale

February= Febuluwale

March= Malichi

April= Epulo

May= Meyi

June= Juni

July= Julayi

August= Ogasiti

September= Seputembala

October= Okutobala

November= Novembala

December= Disembala

One of my personal favorite words is zikomo which means thank you, or zikomo kwambiri which means thank you very much. I hope you enjoy a brief look at Chichewa. We hope to teach you more!

Great Progress!

We woke up very early this morning and journeyed to area 49 of Lilongwe again to meet with the support group.  In hand were of course more knitting materials and the chocolate chip muffins we just had to bake.  As members started to arrive, we saw that most everyone had an almost finished garment.  Even better, we saw a variation of scarves, hats, bags, and table covers that were knitted.  Even the women who had just learned to knit were already proficient, and we just tried to help if they encountered any problems.  Of course, everyone had fun singing and dancing meanwhile knitting, and they found it particularly funny to watch Kelly and I partake in the dancing (sorry, no picture of that). At the end of the meeting, we bought all the finished garments, totaling 14 items.  We plan to sell those items in the States.  By the effort that they have already put in, we are hopeful that they will be successful selling these items in the market and that the income it will bring to their family will be of much help!

We will be meeting with another support group next week.  However, still on the to-do list for this support group is getting a sign made that will draw attention to their stand in the market, possibly getting bags made to carry around their supplies, and we are looking for a vendor that will print on fabric.  This last one is very important because we want to add an extra touch to the garments with a label that says  “ Made by .. .” and signed by the person who created the garment.  These tasks will keep us busy in the days before meeting with the next support group.

As you can see below, we also tried to blend in today with our skirts that are comparable to the many worn around town.  However, somehow that wasn’t enough, and we heard no less than 50 times “Azungu” directed towards us.  Azungu meaning, of course, white person in Chichewa.  We definitely made progress, though, as none of the babies at the meeting cried upon sight of us!  All in all, a successful day!

Preparing for tomorrow

Today we spent time picking up skirts we had made by a tailor with fabric we bought at the fabric market, you'll see them in tomorrow's pictures. While we were waiting we saw a couple hand knitting and selling baby blankets and clothing, this helped us identify the market and get ideas for prices.

For lunch we were invited to Tasha's house where we met her adorable children. She showed us around her house and we met her extended family. It was really wonderful. 

After returning back to our home base we prepped the translated knitting instructions for tomorrow.

Tomorrow should be a great day where we can check on the progress of their knitting and find out more about each individual group member.

A little about Lilongwe and Malawi

After our successful meeting yesterday, we realized that we needed to replenish our knitting supplies.  So, today we went to the shops in the heart of Old Town again to get more yarn and needles.  This also allowed us to strengthen our relationships with the vendors.  We spent the remaining part of the day putting together informational handouts for the next meeting we will have with the support group on Saturday.  

            In addition to sharing what we did today, I also want to provide a little insight about the city and community here.  Lilongwe is the capital and the largest city in Malawi.  While many people work in the city, most of the population resides in rural areas or villages further from the city center. The country's economy is based mainly on agriculture, and some of the major crops produced are maize, tobacco, and sugar cane.  Due to this, maize is used to make the staple food “nsima” and sugar cane is sold on the corner of every street.

Unfortunately, there is much room left for development here as can be seen by the lack of infrastructure, level of education, the value of the currency, health issues, and low per capita income.  However, the attitudes of the people here are the most positive and friendly, and the community is very utilitarian and conservationist.  Everything, which is possible to reuse here, is!  Also, the area endures little conflict and the rule of law is appreciated here.  Many steps are taken to discourage stealing and and promote proper behavior and locals will defend those being mistreated.  We were on a bus the other day, and, by bus, I mean a mid-sized van filled to the brim with people almost sitting on each other’s laps!  The man beside me took my bag, and the person we were travelling with, the taxi driver, and the men who oversee all the taxi drivers protested that he give the bag back and finally led him off the bus. 

            In the city, English is widely spoken, although a limited amount, but outside of the city the majority of people are uneducated, can’t speak English, and some cannot write.  The latter is true for most of the women we work with in the support group.  That in no way deters them, though, as they have an amazing work ethic and great attitudes!

            As for religion, the country is predominantly Christian but there is also a significant Muslim population.  The role of religion is very significant here.  It is very common here to see signs and clothing that display the name of Jesus, some meetings begin and end with a prayer, most schools and clinics are religiously affiliated, there are numerous missionaries working here, and we hear the call to prayer from the Mosque nearby several times a day.

            Hope that gives you an idea of what it is like here and feel free to post any questions you have!

Most Amazing Day of my LIFE!!!

Today has been the most amazing day of my life! I feel unbelievable proud to have started Knit Around the World and to do such great work. Today Natasha and I went with Tasha from NAPHAM (National Association of People with HIV.AIDS in Malawi) to a HIV/AIDS support group to teach them to knit. We learned that a good portion of the members already knew how to knit but that providing them with supplies was incredibly helpful to have knitting lead to an income generating activity. All the group members were incredibly receptive to us being there and wanting to help them.

Natasha started helping teach those who had never knit before.

While everyone was knitting they started to sing and dance.

I was able to teach those who already knew how to knit some different patters as well as help ball their yarn up so it wouldn't get tangled.

It was really great to see that everyone was so happy and really loved to knit. We told them about the resources that we had found yesterday and tomorrow we will make sure to have all the information for the group leader. We are excited to meet with them again on Saturday. It was incredibly considerate for quite a few of them to take off work to come to the meeting so that we could teach them today. We look forward to learning more about each of the group members and how knitting will most likely assist them.

Aren't they a great looking group? I'm so excited that we got a chance to go into the field and had a very successful day.

Our EXCITING News!!!!

We met with a contact at NAPHAM, National Association of People with HIV/AIDS in Malawi, about teaching knitting to HIV/AIDS support groups and we are starting tomorrow!!!!! Today was a great day for finding resources but tomorrow will be amazing when we get to teach knitting. Natasha and I are ecstatic about starting tomorrow and I know we will have tons of stories and pictures to share.

Finding Supplies

Today we were on a mission to find the fabric market.  The same one we had tried to find yesterday to no avail as we were given instructions to the open market instead.  See below for a picture of the treacherous bridge we had to cross to get there.  It really looks like something out of a movie where you expect the main character to fall to his death right in the middle.

Well, today we did find the fabric market and shops with knitting resources!!!  Our new friends who work at the curio shop (flea market) accompanied us to make sure we would find them.  Just past some of the shops we had been the previous day, we were happily surprised to find Macbro, a yarn supplier, and down the road, Lambats, an upholstery vendor that sells knitting needles and crochet hooks.  This was not a simple feat, and we were relieved to find that there were supplies available in the city so that the women we teach to knit will not be dependent on us for materials.  Interesting to note is that the needles used here in Lilongwe are much smaller than those we find in the States.  Also, the needles are made in India and the yarn made in Turkey but balled in Zambia.  Therefore, there is long-term potential for producing these goods in Malawi to bring down costs and make available more job opportunities.

In the area surrounding the shops, we saw more than one vendor selling knitted goods.  The men and women that were knitting sold blankets used to carry babies and baby clothing.  This was nice as it showed us that knitted products are in demand in the market but also that there is space in the market for the products we intend to teach how to be made (scarves and cowls).

From there, we went to the fabric market which was past vendors selling fruits, beans, grains, and bags filled with water and milk.  There, we saw about 20 women selling beautiful, colorful, patterned fabrics that are used mostly for skirts, dresses, and fabric for a mother to hold a child on her back.  Men were close by ready to sew the fabrics you had purchased into the skirts and dresses, which we have seen on the streets among half of the locals that don’t sport western clothing.

Today, only our second full day in Malawi, was very successful!  In addition to finding knitting resources, we also had a meeting with one of our NGO contacts.  Kelly will follow with the exciting information about that!

Trekking around town

Today we walked around town trying to familiarize ourselves with the area. We went to a local bookstore and picked up a guide to Chichewa so we can learn the language better. While searching for the fabric market we stumbled on the vegetable market and an open market where everyone seemed to be selling clothing from western styled clothing, it was interesting to see. There was also a few stands with people selling crocheted hats and some knitting scarves (although made by a knitting machine). We tried to find out where we could find knitting resources, but so far haven't found anything. Tomorrow we will try again with a better understanding where to go. Our time was also spent trying to look at possible local resources that can be used as knitting needles.  After this long trek around town we stopped and shopped for food for lunch.

After lunch we started prepping knitting instructions and started contacting our local contact for the HIV/AIDS support groups. I even bought an easy phone to be able to call or text people in Malawi easier and to always have a phone to call for help. 

I feel like things are getting off to a good start, but still a lot to do!

Malawi landing!!

We have arrived safely in Malawi! It is beautiful out as you can see with this picture.

We are settling into a hotel for the night before moving to the World Camp house tomorrow. There is a lot of stuff we need to get done this week but we are eager and excited.

Landed in Ethiopia!

Natasha and I have survived our arduous 14 hour flight from Dulles airport to Addis Ababa. It is a small airport with prayer rooms for men and women. It is great to be back on solid ground for a few hours before the next flight. I also found it surprising that smoking allowed in the airport. Something you don't see at home. 

Onward, to knitting in Malawi!

Hey everyone! I am Kelly Trevithick, the Founder and Chief Knitster for Knit Around the World. Thank you for taking a few moments to check out our blog, beginning on out flagship program. Your support means a lot to us. Natasha Levinsohn, an awesome volunteer, and I are just on the plane to start our very long flight to Ethiopia then on to Malawi!