Two Places Called Home

Malawi and Peru – where I am from – have many similarities: beautiful landscapes, friendly people, tasty food, nice weather (although not as of late because of the winter weather), and so on. So when I got here, I really felt like home and my adaption was instant.
However, I never predicted an even warmer treat when I started my fieldwork in the villages. I also witnessed contrasting realities in these places. Comparing to Blantyre city, where my host organization is based, people are dramatically poorer. I remember interviewing a woman, who is the herbalist of her village, who declared that her incomes were around 25 pounds per year. She lives alone with her 3 children who are studying in primary school. She and her family can survive from the livestock activity and some remittance, but the incomes declared are the only “safe” entrance. On the other hand, in despite of their poverty, people never lose the hope and hold a positive attitude towards life. I remember to have been invited more than one time to have a meal when I was still interviewing during lunch time; it reflects that people are willing to give in despite of their limitations.

A welcome song

I also remember being welcomed in particular ways when I arrived to the villages to do my interviews. People welcome visitors with cheerful songs in Chichewa, sung in groups. When I used to travel from one village to other, people – especially kids – would wave along the roadside almost all the time, in signal of welcome.

The stories told above demonstrated that the “Warm heart of Africa” slogan is not by chance: Malawi is actually a special country because of its people, who in despite of the adversity, are an example of constant effort for survival and at the same time, of hope and cordial attitude towards life.

Victoria Perfecto has been working with Malawi Environmental Endowment Trust.