The final meeting has been had, 150 teachers have been trained and tears have been shed as we bit farewell!
How has the week gone already. I’ve waited as long as I can to write the final blog because I know that writing it means that I have to leave this amazing country.
In a country where the poverty rate is so high, life to survive is a struggle, so much of what you see is joy, light and happiness.
Not only do I feel that I have helped Malawi in a tiny way, but Malawi has helped me.
When you go through each day of teaching, we can sometimes lose sight of our vision and lose some of the passion that we started with and along the line we start to think about changing course or trying new things, but the drive and motivation to do this can go.
This is where I honestly was, but coming here, working with inspiring practitioners and teachers of Malawi, working with an incredible MLOL team and finding the joy and passion of learners and regaining my love of my job has helped me find who I am again.
It has been a dream of mine to come here since I was 10 and to fulfill that dream but also gain so much perspective has been amazing and I am going home re-energised, re-motivated and full of drive and passion.
My Amazing Team:
I cannot thank Maureen enough for letting me have this opportunity, and Tommy Hynes (my HT) for letting me go. The work Maureen has done out here to support the education of Malawi is unbelievable and to play a small part in this process I am incredibly honoured and grateful. But the success of this whole trip has come from being in the most phenomenal group of people.
Laura, you are a true inspirational leader and your knowledge and love of Malawi has been infectious since the word go. I have learned so much from you this week.
Thank you for taking me under your wing and being the most incredible team leader.
Gill, you are what has got everyone through every day with your amazing chat. How you are not exhausted each day I will never know but your stories and laughs have kept us all going – even standing in the new laid cement, you just wanted to leave your lasting mark. You are an amazing person and your leadership and knowledge is amazing - you have been an amazing support this trip.
Finally my incredible team mate Robyn. From teaching together for a year and planning we were going to do this...two years later we have done it, and smashed it, and I couldn’t have imagined a better team mate to do it with. Your enthusiasm and love of teaching is infectious and our combined skills made a power house team. I will forever be grateful for meeting you and working with you so that we could share this experience together.
Always a legend!
For now, the sun sets on Malawi but I know I’ll be back again.
