We will be back in the states in 2 days!!
Monday, August 17, 2015
Last day in Malawi for 2015!
Today Ashley, Tasha and I visited Area 50 group and Chigwirizano group. It was tough saying goodbye to them but it was great to see the progress they have made. We have tons of awesome knitted items including knitting bags from Malawi fabric. Area 50 group had us singing at dancing as we left. Because we have some Muslim members in the Chigwirizano group we have suggested knitting some items especially for the Muslim community. The Chigwirizano group is also submitting a business proposal for a knitting machine. We also had a meeting this afternoon with the Executive Director of NAPHAM to discuss the future of our partnership. It has been decided that we will continue the partnership with a reduction in services given to us reduced as they work on regaining the funding needed to operate in all 28 districts in Malawi.
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Mphunzi Rock Art
Hello KATW readers! I have to be honest, today's blog post has absolutely nothing to do with knitting. I know, I know, it is a tragedy. However, I do have for you a tale of our grand adventure back in time. You see, Kelly and I were lucky enough to have been able to experience ancient cave art up close and personal!
Emily, the World Camp manager staying at the house for a few months, volunteered to take us to the Mphunzi Rock Art site on Saturday for an all day excursion. Early in the morning the four of us (Emily, Zoey-WC intern, Kelly and I) climbed into the WC SUV and headed off to Mphunzi. The ride was beautiful (of course) as we headed up into the mountains, an hour south of Lilongwe. After a missed turn or two (the signage here is something to be desired) we found our selves in a court yard of a small clinic located a kilometer down from the old Mphunzi Mission. As this site doesn't often see outsiders, the guide found us quickly and we were off on our hike.
As we walked the guide educated us on the two kinds of rock art we would see, roughly the age of the art, and it's importance in today's Chewa culture. It turns out that the Chewa still hold religious and coming of age ceremonies at many of the sites, which range from 2000 years old (Chewa) to 10,000 years old (Pygmies). After our very steep ascent up the mountain to see the first site I understand how such a place can inspire a spiritual awakening! The rock art itself was painted not in cave like I had envisioned, but rather out in the open, exposed to the elements. The boulders of the mountain formed a sort of covered porch, if you looked up there was a rock ceiling not 5 ft. above you, with round cool stone worn smooth after the thousands of years of use, to lay on as one gazed up at the paintings.
The next few sites the guide took us to were much easier to get to and were surprisingly integrated into the village that surrounded these paintings; one site being just a few steps from a farmers field. I truly wonder if Malawi knows what precious artifacts they have? The final site we visited was a place that Dr. Livingston had camped at when he was in Malawi on one of his expeditions. Dr. Livingston and his party camped atop a large rock formation that had been known by the Chewa people to be a preferred sleeping spot for the large animals to keep cool during the hot days. It is said that while the human party camped atop the rock formation, the large animals slept below.
After the last picture was taken, we had to move on to our next adventure of the day, which was a trip to Dedza and the famous ceramics studio. Dusty, tired and a little bruised, we clamored into the SUV and headed out.
Dedza turned out to be a large town, with a beautiful lodge and restaurant where we fed our weary bodies. The food was delicious and exactly what we needed after our long hike through the mountains of Mphunzi. We then made a quick trip to the ceramics studio to purchase a few souvenirs to remember the day. As it was 430 pm we needed to head back to Lilongwe so that Emily was not driving on the highways at night. We made it back to WC just in time to see the sun slip below the horizon line, signaling the end to a very momentous day.
When I look back at the photos, it's hard to imagine that I was so close to something so ancient. I have only read about these sorts of paintings, never did I think that I would one day be able to see them in person (though I had always hoped). I truly hope more people come to Malawi to see these artifacts, they are most definitely worth the airfare. Until next time!
Emily, the World Camp manager staying at the house for a few months, volunteered to take us to the Mphunzi Rock Art site on Saturday for an all day excursion. Early in the morning the four of us (Emily, Zoey-WC intern, Kelly and I) climbed into the WC SUV and headed off to Mphunzi. The ride was beautiful (of course) as we headed up into the mountains, an hour south of Lilongwe. After a missed turn or two (the signage here is something to be desired) we found our selves in a court yard of a small clinic located a kilometer down from the old Mphunzi Mission. As this site doesn't often see outsiders, the guide found us quickly and we were off on our hike.
As we walked the guide educated us on the two kinds of rock art we would see, roughly the age of the art, and it's importance in today's Chewa culture. It turns out that the Chewa still hold religious and coming of age ceremonies at many of the sites, which range from 2000 years old (Chewa) to 10,000 years old (Pygmies). After our very steep ascent up the mountain to see the first site I understand how such a place can inspire a spiritual awakening! The rock art itself was painted not in cave like I had envisioned, but rather out in the open, exposed to the elements. The boulders of the mountain formed a sort of covered porch, if you looked up there was a rock ceiling not 5 ft. above you, with round cool stone worn smooth after the thousands of years of use, to lay on as one gazed up at the paintings.
The next few sites the guide took us to were much easier to get to and were surprisingly integrated into the village that surrounded these paintings; one site being just a few steps from a farmers field. I truly wonder if Malawi knows what precious artifacts they have? The final site we visited was a place that Dr. Livingston had camped at when he was in Malawi on one of his expeditions. Dr. Livingston and his party camped atop a large rock formation that had been known by the Chewa people to be a preferred sleeping spot for the large animals to keep cool during the hot days. It is said that while the human party camped atop the rock formation, the large animals slept below.
After the last picture was taken, we had to move on to our next adventure of the day, which was a trip to Dedza and the famous ceramics studio. Dusty, tired and a little bruised, we clamored into the SUV and headed out.
Dedza turned out to be a large town, with a beautiful lodge and restaurant where we fed our weary bodies. The food was delicious and exactly what we needed after our long hike through the mountains of Mphunzi. We then made a quick trip to the ceramics studio to purchase a few souvenirs to remember the day. As it was 430 pm we needed to head back to Lilongwe so that Emily was not driving on the highways at night. We made it back to WC just in time to see the sun slip below the horizon line, signaling the end to a very momentous day.
When I look back at the photos, it's hard to imagine that I was so close to something so ancient. I have only read about these sorts of paintings, never did I think that I would one day be able to see them in person (though I had always hoped). I truly hope more people come to Malawi to see these artifacts, they are most definitely worth the airfare. Until next time!
Friday, August 14, 2015
Lighthouse and Mphatso
This morning Ashley and I had an early morning meeting with our Partners at Lighthouse. We got to briefly sit in on the morning meeting then met with Daneck Kathumba, Prof. Sam Phiri, Micrina Mwandeti. We had a very productive meeting discussing the progress that the groups have made in addition to where we want to see the groups go in the coming years. Prof. Sam Phiri has made plans to go visit the Area 50 group and Mphatso group in the coming weeks. In October there is a big meeting held by Lighthouse where the support groups show off the goods that they make. This year the Vice President of Malawi will be in attendance. This will give our groups a great opportunity to tell more individuals about the work that they are doing. We are hoping that we might be able to plan a trip around this annual meeting next year.
At Mphatso group we saw the amazing products they have made over the past week. I'm really excited to share their talents. We have started giving fabric to the tailors in the group, so that everyone can contribute, to make knitting bags. We have Christmas ornaments and Christmas stockings, ponchos, bracelets, a tie, and we got some samples for the local shops in Lilongwe. Tasha will bring the samples to the shops to see if they are interested in stocking the knitted items. We are also looking into knitting labels for the items so it can be identified which group made them while in Malawi. I'm really looking forward to selling all of these awesome items in the craft shows in the US as well as some boutique shops in Alexandria, Virginia.
At Mphatso group we saw the amazing products they have made over the past week. I'm really excited to share their talents. We have started giving fabric to the tailors in the group, so that everyone can contribute, to make knitting bags. We have Christmas ornaments and Christmas stockings, ponchos, bracelets, a tie, and we got some samples for the local shops in Lilongwe. Tasha will bring the samples to the shops to see if they are interested in stocking the knitted items. We are also looking into knitting labels for the items so it can be identified which group made them while in Malawi. I'm really looking forward to selling all of these awesome items in the craft shows in the US as well as some boutique shops in Alexandria, Virginia.
Thursday, August 13, 2015
The beginning of the wind down
Good afternoon KATW readers, I hope that you've had as successful a day as we have! While the morning did not go as planned with a last minute rescheduling of the NAPHAM meeting we made up for it with a wonderfully productive meeting with the Chisomo group.
After the late start we ventured out to Chisomo with Tasha at the wheel on another exceptionally beautiful day. I had forgotten how wonderful the weather is out here during this time of year. The warm days, rarley getting above 85 F with no humidity and a light breeze continues to be a huge relife from the typically oppressive heat and humidity of the DC summer.
When we arrived at the Chisomo meeting house, a concrete building with a large open air porch, we were eager to see what the group had made. While members gathered we chatted with the others already present through Tasha and Amos, trouble shooting any issues they had and discussing the possiblity of selling their wares at local stores that many tourists frequent. As more members brought out their knitted items, there were two sweaters that caught my eye; one sapphire blue, the other kelly green. While Kelly thought that the blue one would look best on me it turned out that the kelly green one suited me best and the sapphire one complemented her orange.
It was wonderful seeing all of the new merchandise, buying for the American market and a few items for ourselves =) The group members, as always, showed such ingenuity for the knitting craft. I am always amazed at how they can just look at a picture or a template and not only recreate the item, but improve it by adding their own personal flair! Kelly and myself always come away from those meeitngs with our cheeks hurting because we had been smiling and laughing so much.
KATW's hope for the next year is that the Chisomo group keep expanding by acquiring repeat customers (they have a few already), selling in the stores we suggested and expanding their partnerships with local schools who need knitted vests and sweaters for their student. After seeing what they have done today I don't have any doubt that they will be incredibly successful!
After the late start we ventured out to Chisomo with Tasha at the wheel on another exceptionally beautiful day. I had forgotten how wonderful the weather is out here during this time of year. The warm days, rarley getting above 85 F with no humidity and a light breeze continues to be a huge relife from the typically oppressive heat and humidity of the DC summer.
When we arrived at the Chisomo meeting house, a concrete building with a large open air porch, we were eager to see what the group had made. While members gathered we chatted with the others already present through Tasha and Amos, trouble shooting any issues they had and discussing the possiblity of selling their wares at local stores that many tourists frequent. As more members brought out their knitted items, there were two sweaters that caught my eye; one sapphire blue, the other kelly green. While Kelly thought that the blue one would look best on me it turned out that the kelly green one suited me best and the sapphire one complemented her orange.
Here we are modeling our new sweaters
And Tasha found herself a new hat!
It was wonderful seeing all of the new merchandise, buying for the American market and a few items for ourselves =) The group members, as always, showed such ingenuity for the knitting craft. I am always amazed at how they can just look at a picture or a template and not only recreate the item, but improve it by adding their own personal flair! Kelly and myself always come away from those meeitngs with our cheeks hurting because we had been smiling and laughing so much.
KATW's hope for the next year is that the Chisomo group keep expanding by acquiring repeat customers (they have a few already), selling in the stores we suggested and expanding their partnerships with local schools who need knitted vests and sweaters for their student. After seeing what they have done today I don't have any doubt that they will be incredibly successful!
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Wednesday Walk-About!
Yesterday afternoon Zoey, the intern for World Camp, arrived and today Ashley and I helped her get aquatinted with the local shops. I the morning we each took her to great local stores to get food and local products. In the afternoon we took her to the fabric market behind the Mosque on Kamuzu Processional Road. We enjoyed a quick ride in a local motorized rickshaw pointing out various fruit and vegetable markets.
The fabric market was wonderful as usual. Ashley and I, once again, enjoyed the beautiful fabric and couldn't help but purchase more. I enjoyed seeing some women recycling extra fabric from the tailors and making rugs.
Our quest to find and speak with individuals that sell raw cotton is still ongoing and hopefully we will get a lead in the next day or two.
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Relaxing and Researching Tuesday!
Although we didn't meet with any groups today we still managed to get work done. I started drafting out out yarn pilot program proposal. There is a lot of informational that still needs to be collected but it is a good beginning.
This afternoon Ashley and I visited a Land and Lake Safari Tour Lodge where we ate lunch and checked out the gift shop for tourists. After speaking with a staff member we will be able to sell knitted items in the store and promote Knit Around the World. This is a very exciting advancement for the groups to be able to knit for a new market.
Monday, August 10, 2015
Meeting with Area 50 and Chigwirizano Groups!
Today we met with our other 2 support groups, bringing them the latest patterns and supplies. It was great to see all the progress they have made over the past few months. 
I really look forward to seeing the products next week.
Ashley and I were greeted with smiles, laughter and song by Area 50 group. They had a variety of new items and were very excited for the items we brought.
In Chigwirizano groups many of the members were out sick but we enjoyed working with those who were there. I particularly enjoyed teaching them new stitches.
Tomorrow and Wednesday Ashley and I will be doing research on local shops and outlining our pilot program for yarn production in Malawi.
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