Kim

Home of Hope is a very different concept – a village which provides housing and care for orphans, school system with pre-school, primary, and secondary schools, and also a food security unit. This morning after arriving we got a full tour of the huge site. There are numerous brick buildings housing the classrooms, hostels (including the brand new boys’ hostel donated by Madonna), staff quarters, office, maize mill, guest house, church, and far up the hill the Fax Prayer House. The latter was the furthest point from the main site and it is an old brick building Agogo goes to contemplate and pray. It is the most beautiful scenery overlooking the entire Home of Hope. Agogo's grandson was able to show us everything and even introduce us in some of the classes.

The primary classes thoroughly enjoyed us visiting their classes, the secondary school...not so much. After the tour was over and we were on our own we were encountered by a group of girls. They were led by a headstrong girl from Form 4 (Grade 12) who promptly informed us her name was Tamanda and then insisted we "escort" her to class. This was basically her chance to show off to all her other school friends, as well as mock us in Chichewa. There seemed to be hundreds of eyes turned towards us, all of which belonged to bodies which towered over us and looked a good 5 years older than us too. We were relieved when they all returned to their classes for the second session of the day.

To pass the time we randomly walked around and met a bunch of pre-schoolers playing around in the dirt outside a building. They quickly abandoned their games and came over to us with the most fascinated looks on their faces. 5 minutes later and all 4 of us were knee-high in children. They led us down to their playground where we met one of the most interesting characters, probably equal to our encounter with Tamanda.

"This is Esta, you must be her "penpil" (penpal) from America"

I looked down and there was a girl dressed in her school uniform and obviously not in classes or wherever she should be. Her name was Anita and she made it a point to introduce everyone, tell us about her entire life and busy herself recruiting "penpils" for all her friends. She told us endless stories of her mom, dad, and witch doctor uncle. My newly found penpil, Ester was very quiet and didn't know much English as she was just in Standard 3. however we sealed our friendship over my hairtie which she was fascinated with and happily wore as a bracelet.

Close to 3we went back to the house for some time before afternoon devotions. Agogo had insisted we attend devotions every afternoon at half 3 and every morning at half 5 (yes 5:30!). 3:30 found out awkwardly standing in front of the church building with no idea what to do. Just as we were about to turn back a girl stopped us. Cynthia was 17 years old and in Form 2. She explained that there would be no devotions but instead SFK (Spirituality for Kids) classes. This is a big part of Raising Malawi so we thought it would be important tot attend.

SFK is an amazing syllabus used worldwide and empowers so many kids to love themselves and accomplish things they never thought they could. The class had a range of kids form different ages (one was as young as 11) all selected for the class. They sat in 3 circles each with a facilitator (who served as our interpreters) and the main facilitator form Lilongwe walked around the room. Each student had a workbook (in Chichewa) which had exercises on getting rid of bad habits, looking to the future, and having a direction in life. There was an innovative exercise where they learnt about compass directions (N,S, E, W) and then related that to life's directions; where you are coming form and where you are going.

After the class it was almost 5:30 so went back to the house to cook dinner. Agogo and the headmaster of the secondary school turned up unexpectedly. Unfortunately at this time we had all discarded our skirts which we had tried our best to maneuver all day just for Agogo's approval. They welcomed us to Home of Hope and assured us we'd learn a lot from being there.

Rose: Playing with the pre-schoolers
Thorn: Meeting the high-schoolers