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.