Written by CorpsAfrica/Malawi Volunteer Ms. Harriet Lynn Kumbani

I used to think I lived in one of the hottest places in Malawi until I moved to my site in Phalombe. My goodness! Chileka is pretty hot but, it pales in comparison to my site in Phalombe.

I have never sweated so much in my life, not even when we were forced to run a 1.5km race in school. I even have pictures of a bruise I got wiping my forehead too frequently and too profusely to prove it.

The heat aside, it hasn’t been terrible. I would say it has been great. I have been here for almost a month now and I must admit, I have been pleasantly surprised. The people are chatty and kind. They stop by to say hello so I don’t ever get lonely. They take me around to show me places. I get to watch some of the most magnificent sunsets I’ve ever seen right from the veranda of my house. This has become one of my favourite things to do here. I’ve also been loving that I don’t have to cook, so most days I don’t.  But don’t worry, I have not been starving myself. I am Just surviving on junk, (I’ll try to do better, I promise).

I love gardening and we had the opportunity to plant some bamboo trees a few weeks ago with some members of the community. I’m excited to see them grow and flourish, and I hope I do too.
I am sure the journey ahead will not be without its challenges but, I am certain that it will be worth it. I look forward to the lessons, joys, and growth ahead of me. I can’t wait to be able to say in the words of Robert Frost, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference”.

Zikomo!