From Nicola –

Written in the Headteacher’s study at Draper Secondary School. Having an amazing experience here in Malawi and feel quite emotional when I think we are on our second last day.

It’s hard to believe that this time last week we were on the flight to Blantyre, having had a chaotic run in Johannesburg to catch our connecting flight!! It’s so funny looking back on it and writing this sitting in fresh clothes from our suitcases! We lived in the clothes we travelled in for nearly three days!! But at least we were all in it together!

Sitting writing this watching Gavin, Alan and the Deputy Head from Draper Secondary School in a big discussion about how we can build relationships with the school and about materials and educational standards. John and Lauren are here as well, while Margaret and Sue and some of the village ladies cook up a Scottish extravaganza (stovies with oatcakes and shortbread) for us all to share in at lunch time. Had an incident this morning with missing onions, thinking the baboons had taken them from the balcony overnight. Thank goodness the hotel staff had thought about this and put them in a safe place.

Reflection is a funny thing and constantly reflecting on our amazing journey and the bonds and friendships made between our group and the wonderful people here. We have all been so so blessed.

At breakfast and dinner time we all sit together with Margaret and Silas included. A prayer is said before we eat and we all laugh and Silas usually asks us individually to share about our experiences of the day. It’s actually my favourite part of the day! As we drink Malawian Mzuzu coffee which tastes awesome!!

I love sitting around with everybody – a bit like The Waltons and I’m going to miss this immensely.

I think I’m looking forward to going home – kind of! And seeing friends, family of course and the church family of St Columba’s is exciting. I just wish everyone could have come with us to see this place! It’s going to be hard to describe it all.

The discussion with the Deputy Head is almost over. Break time for the school students. Lots of chat. See you all soon :-)x