Radio Northampton

You can listen in to my interview on BBC Northampton  here got to meet the lovely John Griff in person.
Bit more about my adventures.

Leaving on a jetplane

Mama Mia was fantasic - Had best pizza and wine ever! Stayed overnight at a lovely little guesthouse called Longonot which had hot water and wireless I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Woke up this morning to find that there is no fuel in Llongwe... typical when I had a flight to catch!
My taxi didn't turn up as he had no fuel. Eventually managed to get someone at a massively inflated price but I guess that is normal in Africa.

I'm on my way home to my fabulous friends and family... and although I will miss everyone here I have most of them on facebook ;-) and I will be continuing to champion COYIDA from the UK

Bus ride and Mama Mia

I did say in my last post I was a changed woman... my usual mode of transport in London is a cab. I am not sure I have taken the bus in London without having a small child who is excited about the experience with me....

Today I took a 5 hour bus ride to Lilongwe but it will be worth it as, much like I would be if I were in London I am heading to Mama Mia tonight....

Well the restaurant Mama Mia to meet lots of fantastic volunteers with VSO which will be an amazing way to spend an evening. Sharing learnings and experiences and taking stock of everything from the last couple of weeks in Malawi.

The team

The team at Coyida

Grace in Accounts

 

 

 

Patrick CEO

Me working!

Me and Grace

Eunice in programmes

My last day in Mzimba :0( moving onto Lillongwe

It's been difficult and eye opening here. Money is tight funding comes in tranches sometimes delayed by the sponsors as it the case at the moment.  But unlike the UK these guys just carry on and keep smiling I think there are some lessons to be learn't!

Today we have had a power cut my first but still not good, stopped work for a few hours made me think that if this was the UK I'd have gone mad, but today just carried on and made the tea, Malawi has changed me.

Last day in office as I am starting my journey back to Lilongwe tomorrow, and going to see some projects.

So today I am making sure I have done everything I have promised to do!

Coyida now have....

• Computerised cash book on Excel next steps to implement an accounting package such as sage

• Petty cash policy

• A nominal and project code list

• An admin budget this is very important as its needed to make sure that all salaries and admin costs are covered. Most sponsors/ partners want to put costs towards a shiny new well or toilet but tend to forget that the office costs need covering as well otherwise nothing would get done.

• Procurement policy and limits of authority

• Updated and revised the finance manual.

There is plenty more to do but only so much in a couple of weeks.

Next steps.....

I will be supporting Coyida moving forward I am going to sponsor Grace in accounts to become qualified ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) 

My company are going to donate to them Sage accounting software I just need someone to come over for a month and train the staff any volunteers???

I will provide ongoing support to the team to via email going forward.

But most importantly I am also going to raise money for them as the work they are doing is great!

The work they do is Clean water for villages this pump only cost £250.00 this is for 250/300 households

The new well

The old water source

They also promote Childrens rights and schooling.  I need childrens clothes to send over anyone who can help? Education is only compulsary till 11 years old to fund a child for secondary education only costs £80.00 per term

Women's rights COYIDA promote the training of local birth attendants and adequate Ante natal care.

HIV and AIDS reducing the stigma around the illness and making sure people eat correctly.

Update Tuesday

Went to Eunice house on Monday night for coffee with Wessie and Macy which was lovely.

Most exciting news I found Dairy milk and Diet coke in Peoples Supermarket woo hoo

Fabulous!

Had an Audit today from one of the sponsors which went ok.

Going out tonight for dinner with Mandi and Laura for MRDF

More news tomorrow...

Anita in Malawi's photostream

Anita in Malawi's photostream on Flickr.

Some of my photos from the experience of a lifetime

Back to Mzimba

After making it back late Sunday night it was good to have people to talk too after the lodge being sooooo quiet.

Today has been strangely quiet as well Grace has been in meetings all day so been on my own for most of the day.

Went to an internet cafe uploaded photos of the weekend in Nhkata Bay.

Going to Eunice house this evening and then a busy day tomorrow as Mandi from MRDF one of the sponsors is coming to the office.

Nhkata Bay

Nearly an uneventful journey to Nhkata bay - until we paused to pick up a stranded soldier en route. He had broken down and wasn't likely to get help for a while.

Arrived at Njaya lodge (English owned) and had a lovely chalet right on the lake steps down to the water.
I woke up early today and went for toast, omlette and coffee which tasted fantastic!

My room has an en suit and a warm shower which is the first in seven days.
Sat on the beach and at sunset went on a boat trip to see the sunset which was beautiful.
Feels strange after this weeks events to be in a hotel and I am the only guest...

Market, Money, Missing home

It hasn't stopped raining in monsoon like fashion and that is enough to get anyone down. Being so far from home is starting to take its toll emotionally... I called my little girl Ella who cried lots.

Made the most of being here as I have promised myself and my family to do - went to the Markets and to Grace's house after work. We have become good pals already and she is loving Lady Gaga and the new Adele album!

For dinner my favourite meal of sweet potato was lovingly prepared for me -  and there's nothing like comfort eating to alleviate being homesick.

This week Grace and I have accomplished a great deal. I have set up an administration budget for COYIDA. The challenge that they face is that they get the funding but nobody wants to pay for the administrative work that they do - they just want the money to go to the front line.

COYIDA have four bank accounts and we have set up spreadsheets to reconcile them all. I have set up a nominal code list and a project list so that everything can be allocated correctly.

Finally I have reviewed and amended the finance manual, set up a petty cash procedure and a procurement procedure.... all of which will make a big difference to the way things are organised.

I am off to the lakes this weekend so have packed my bags and am heading to Nhkata Bay
Patrick and his family get to have their home back for the weekend.

Snakes, Cakes and Rain

Woken up to pouring rain which may explain my visitor last night....

Found  a Black Mamba in my room and as I wasn't staying anywhere near to film it just for your viewing pleasure - found a video on You Tube for you to see what all the fuss is about!

Talking of scary it wasn't the only frightening event... trying to make a cake in a microwave from a recipie that a friend texted me did not go to plan. If it was a cake competition then I certainly wasn't going to win!

My attempt

<>

The masterpiece!

Finally this is my friend Arthur who runs the internet cafe. He didn't want me to bring him any cake.

And so to work - I had a great sleep despite the snake and was ready to face another day with Grace working through the job in hand.

Settling in, cookery lessons and microwave cake

Settling in to life here in Mzimba and I am being made to feel very welcome. Thought I would share some photos with you and take you on a tour now that I am getting to know my way around.

Firstly the office - this is Grace my lovely colleague.



Grace hard at work

The office toilet

The office kitchen

Walked into Mzimba for a look round and managed to find an Internet Cafe - see I said I would be able to ;-)

Now we move on to my Mzimba family and my cookery lessons :-)



Gorgeous Macy



Macy sound asleep



Tezzie Cooking the corn

The Kitchen

Making 'hard porridge'



Me ruining it!


Tonight I am going to attempt to make a microwave cake - I can't cook at the best of times so it should be interesting for all concerned.