Music and Dancing on the Beach in Malawi with Zeb

It feels like a party on the beach on Lake Malawi.   I think we are ready for a party.

Our beach. Ready for a party.

Our beach.  Ready for a party.

Here is the drummer.

Drummer

Drummer

He is fantastic.   I, Zeb the Duck, don’t think he ever stops playing.   We love him.   People are dancing.

Let's dance

Let’s dance

The smiling children are joining the dancing.

Children dancing

Children dancing

We like many dancers.   Everybody should try dancing on the beach to the beat of the drum.

Many more dancing

Many more dancing

If not dancing, many play on the beach of Lake Malawi, in Malawi.

Many people on beach of Lake Malawi

Many people on beach of Lake Malawi

These children love to have their pictures taken, or they really like to see their pictures.

Children love the camera

Children love the camera

Someone is leading the conga line.

Join the conga line anyone?

Join the conga line anyone?

This is fun.   Of course, no party is complete without food.   Esther cooks for us, using this three burner wood burning changu changu moto.

Esther cooks on a three burner wood burning changu changu moto

Esther cooks on a three burner wood burning changu changu moto

Deborah seemed to disappear for awhile.   She was helping Esther.   That was very nice to do.   It is getting dark now; the drummer is stopping and the dancers are stopping.   All the Ripple Africa volunteers, some of our Malawi friends and Ripple Africa employees gather for dinner.   For dessert, a chocolate birthday cake is presented to Linda.

Birthday cake for Linda

Birthday cake for Linda

This cake was baked on a changu changu moto wood burning stove.   And the cake is delicious.   We are all happy that Linda has a birthday while in Malawi, and that she shared her cake.    The humans and Zeb, the Colorado Traveling Duck, will always smile when remembering our farewell party.   We will miss all our new friends at Ripple Africa.   Once again, the people have shown us why Malawi is called the Warm Heart of Africa.

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Malawi Women

Today mom and the other volunteer women tried to be Malawi women.   What an experience for everybody.   First they washed dishes.

Clean dishes drying

Clean dishes drying

Here are the washed dishes, air drying.   Next was chopping wood.

Linda chopping wood

Linda chopping wood

Linda is doing a great job.   Chopping wood is hard work.   Wood is needed every day for fires to cook and to heat water.   Red beans are cooking on the changu changu moto stove.

Red beans cooking on changu changu moto

Red beans cooking on changu changu moto

Having beans is a treat.   Beans are not available to eat every day.   Next the women went to the well and carried water back to the house.   Here is Rebecca showing how it is done.

Rebecca carrying water

Rebecca carrying water

The volunteer women all tried, but it is not so easy.   Here is Denise carrying water.

Denise carrying water

Denise carrying water

Now it is time to prepare the cassava for eating.  Cassava is a root vegetable, similar to a potato.  It does not have a strong flavor, and is eaten almost every day.   Our cassava had already been dug from the ground.   Then it was peeled and soaked in water.   The next step is drying the cassava.   That was already complete when we arrived at the home of Catherine and Rebecca and their families.   The volunteer women broke the cassava into small pieces.   Then the cassava must be pounded into a flour like substance.

Linda pounding cassava

Linda pounding cassava

Linda is pounding cassava now.   Rebecca and Catherine show the women how it is more effective if two ladies pound together.

Rebecca and Catherine pound cassava together

Rebecca and Catherine pound cassava together

After the cassava is pounded into a powder, it must be sifted.   Deborah is sifting the cassava now.

Deborah sifting cassava

Deborah sifting cassava

When sifting, the women must keep the cassava low, so it does not blow onto the ground.   Now the cooking begins.

Cooking cassava

Cooking cassava

After cooking, the cassava is called nsima.  (The n in nsima is silent.   This food is pronounced seema)  The nsima is very stiff and difficult to stir.   Deborah is stirring the nsima now.

Deborah stirring cassava

Deborah stirring cassava

While the women are doing this hard work, the men are building a house without machines.   The foundation is dug with shovels.   The men must also make the bricks.

Building house without machinery. Foundation dug with shovels

Building house without machinery. Foundation dug with shovels

Soon 17 nieces and nephews will be coming to stay with Catherine and Rebecca and their families.   They are in boarding school now, and their parents have died.   So more room is needed and much more work will be required.   Rebecca went back to school after she had her children and she is now a preschool teacher.   She was one of the four teachers pictures in our last post.   She is an amazing lady.   Naturally her day starts very early, as she must carry water, chop wood, cook and wash dishes before she starts teaching, about 7:40 a.m.   In Malawi, life is hard, but we found that the people are willing to share what they have and they always have a smile.  I, Zeb the Duck, stayed in my traveling bag when the children came home.  Children always want to keep me, so I don’t pose for photos when many are around.   I do like children and do not want to disappoint them when I have to go home with mom.   The people we met in Malawi showed us that Malawi really is the warm heart of Africa.

Malawi Elementary Schools and Adult Literacy from Zeb the Duck

Today I, Zeb the Duck, will show you some elementary schools.

Classroom painted with alphabet and lady bugs, helping to count to 10

Classroom painted with alphabet and lady bugs, helping to count to 10

Inside the classroom, the walls help teach the alphabet, and counting with the lady bugs.   Another wall has animals and the months painted.

Classroom painted with animals and months on walls

Classroom painted with animals and months on walls

There are no windows and no doors in these classrooms.   The students are very eager to learn and very well behaved.  These students are moving to another group.

Moving to another group

Moving to another group

Students sit on the floor, there are no desks and chairs, waiting for instructions from the teachers.

Attentive students on floor. No desks and chairs available

Attentive students on floor. No desks and chairs available

This small group is working outside with the bottles.   They are practicing their numbers.

Small group outside with teacher. Working on numbers

Small group outside with teacher. Working on numbers

There are no physical education classes, so teachers have the students form a large circle around the room.

Large circle around classroom. Song and dancing time.

Large circle around classroom. Song and dancing time.

Time for singing and dancing now.

Large circle. Each students gets a turn to dance

Large circle. Each students gets a turn to dance

Each student has a turn in the center of the circle.   There was much singing and dancing here.   I, Zeb the Duck, stayed in my traveling bag as I do when children are around, but I heard so much excitement and joy in the singing.   This is a very happy classroom.   After class, but before being dismissed for the day, the students receive an after school snack.

Students enjoying after school snack of sweet tea and potatoes

Students enjoying after school snack of sweet tea and potatoes

They each receive a piece of potato and a cup of sweet tea.   A teacher is handing out potatoes.

Handing out pieces of potato

Handing out pieces of potato

Here, Jenny, a volunteer from Ohio, is giving students the sweet tea.

Handing out cups of sweet tea

Handing out cups of sweet tea

When they have finished their snack, the sit patiently waiting instructions from the teachers.

Patiently sitting, waiting for teacher to dismiss class for the day.

Patiently sitting, waiting for teacher to dismiss class for the day.

We were so impressed with the politeness of the young children.   These are the four teachers for this group of students.

Four extremely talented and dedicated teachers.

Four extremely talented and dedicated teachers.

They are such kind, patient and dedicated teachers.   This another classroom of students.

Another elementary school classroom

Another elementary school classroom

Ripple Africa, the organization we are with these two weeks, helps sponsor 8 elementary schools.   After I, Zeb theDuck, and the 6 volunteer women left, there was a graduation ceremony for the young children.

Mwaya Preschool

Mwaya Preschool

My friend, Jenny, was invited and she wrote about her experience.   This shows how grateful the parents are and how Jenny was accepted by the community.   We think you might enjoy reading this.   Go to http://www.RippleAfrica.org/ripple-africa-news/9750       We also worked with adult literacy.   There are many adults that cannot read, but want to learn.   They come to the library twice a week for reading tutoring.   Here is the librarian.

The librarian heads the adult literacy program

The librarian heads the adult literacy program

He heads the adult literacy program and teaches the classes.   He has also written some short stories that have been published.  He is very nice.   Mom and some other volunteers helped him with teaching of adults.   We enjoyed working with adults.   Here is Jenny, the volunteer from Ohio, with an adult student and a teacher’s child.

Jenny with adult student and a teachers child

Jenny with adult student and a teachers child

We, the Colorado Traveling Ducks, believe that education is important, so we liked working with students of all ages.   We want to thank Deborah for the photos of the children in classes.   She is a very good photographer and she shared these photos with us.   Mom didn’t have very good photos in classrooms.   Thanks, Deborah.

Zeb the Duck Visits Chikumbuso Museum at Makuzi Beach, Malawi

From Makuzi Beach Lodge, Patrick showed us the Chikumbuso Museum and Cultural Center.   We walked from the lodge, down a sandy road, to the Center.

Long sandy road

Long sandy road

Jeb, the dog, walked with us and patiently waited for us to return to Makuzi Beach Lodge.

Jeb waiting for us at the museum and cultural center

Jeb waiting for us at the museum and cultural center

The Museum and Cultural Center is a remembrance for Chief Yakucha, who died in 2008.   Patrick showed us how to play the musical instruments.

Many musical instruments

Many musical instruments

This basket was used in shallow water to catch small fish.

Basket for catching fish

Basket for catching fish

When using the bow and arrow for hunting, the arrow was first dipped in a fast acting poison.

Poison arrows were used

Poison arrows were used

When hit with the arrow, the poison entered the blood and the animal soon staggered and fell, giving the hunter food for his family.   We really liked these elephants.

Love the elephants

Love the elephants

My friend Deborah and Patrick are testing the pipes.

Deborah and Patrick with pipes

Deborah and Patrick with pipes

Don’t they look great, and happy?   Remember I first met Deborah in Cuba, where she tried cigar smoking.   In 1880 Dr. Robert Laws relocated the Livingstonia Mission to a hill overlooking Bandawe Point, in this area.   However, in 1894, the mission location was abandoned and moved to Khondowe on the Rift Valley Escarpment because so many people died of malaria.   We visited the “White Man’s Graveyard” where so many are buried.

National Monument. Missionary Cemetery

National Monument. Missionary Cemetery

This is the grave for Sophia Aitken, from 1896.

Sophia Aitken at rest

Sophia Aitken at rest

With one notable exception, all the graves are from the 1800s.  Mama Jane Jackson,the owner and founder of our Makuze Beach Lodge, tragically died in a paragliding accident in Zimbabwe in 1997.   The much loved lady is buried here.

Grave of Mama Jane Jackson

Grave of Mama Jane Jackson

You can see, there are several graves.

Several graves here

Several graves here

On the road,we met girls and women carrying firewood for cooking.   The ladies carry the wood on their heads.

Looking elegant while carrying wood

Looking elegant while carrying wood

When they walk, they have a wonderful posture and walk so smoothly, they seem glide down the road.  They look and walk so elegantly.   Patrick, our guide, is also an artist.   We bought a painting and a wood carving from Patrick.

Patrick's painting and wood carving. Maybe a tea candle inside carving??

Patrick’s painting and wood carving.   Maybe a tea candle inside carving??

Patrick is here with his cousin, our assistant guide.

Patrick and his cousin with Patrick's art

Patrick and his cousin with Patrick’s art

They were both very nice and very knowledgeable.   They are my new friends.

Makuzi Beach Lodge, Malawi with Zeb the Duck

After one week of volunteering, I, Zeb the Duck, and four of the volunteering women have a mini vacation at Makuzi Beach Lodge.   Makuzi Beach Lodge is also on the beautiful Lake Malawi, a 30 minute drive from or Ripple Africa location.

A beach lodge! Fantastic

A beach lodge! Fantastic

Here we are.   Let’s go to the Reception to check in and get our room keys.

Let's get the keys

Let’s get the keys

We are enjoying our time at Ripple Africa, but here we each have our own room with an en suite bathroom and plenty of hot water.   True luxury.  My first thought was to go to the beach.  Here I am lounging on a beach chair.

Lounging on the beach

Lounging on the beach

That is me, Zeb the Duck, on the chair on the right.   We have a nice sandy beach and the rocks in the water give it character, without making the beach too rocky.

Interesting rocks

Interesting rocks

I really like this resort.   We even have birds on a rock in the water.

Birds on a rock by our beach

Birds on a rock by our beach

There are almost always birds here.   Of course, being a duck, I do like birds.  Wow!  This hammock is in front of my room.

Lounging in the hammock

Lounging in the hammock

This could be my favorite place to rest.  Our cabin, or chalet, is so cute.

Our chalet for the weekend

Our chalet for the weekend

Don’t you think it looks so tropical?  I am sitting on the chair on the right, on my porch.   This chair is really comfortable, too.   A  nice splash of color as Deborah walks on the beach.

Bright color on the beach

Bright color on the beach

Love the color of your shirt, Deborah.   On the right, is the bar and lounge.

Restaurant over kayaks. Bar and lounge to the right

Restaurant over kayaks. Bar and lounge to the right

The structure on the left is our restaurant.   They really prepare excellent food here.   Under the restaurant the brightly colored kayaks are available for our use.   Unfortunately it is a little too windy to use them this weekend.  There are a few of these platforms, or beach gazebos available.

Great place to watch the water

Great place to watch the water

There is a canoe in the water.

Canoe on Lake Malawi

Canoe on Lake Malawi

These are narrow dugout canoes.   The person in the canoe must sit on the edge of the canoe and paddle.   I am in the canoe and ready to go.

Dugout canoe. Rather narrow

Dugout canoe. Rather narrow

Oh well, maybe they are not ready to go in the water yet.   But I will be back soon.   Hey, what is happening?

You forgot the duck!!

You forgot the duck!!

It looks like they are going to go without me.   I will be staying on land with mom and the other women.   This is a nice lodge with a beautiful location.   For more information about Makuzi Beach Lodge, visit http://www.MakuziBeachLodge.com  I enjoyed my weekend here.   Maybe you will visit Makuzi Beach Lodge on Lake Malawi soon.

Building Stoves in Malawi with Zeb the Duck

I, Zeb  the Duck and the human volunteers are going to a village to build stoves.   In Malawi, the women gather wood to burn.   There is usually no electricity, so the cooking is done on wood burning stoves.   This is the three stone stove the women were using to cook.

Three stone stove, using much wood

Three stone stove, using much wood

The new stove, the changu changu moto, uses about one third the amount of wood.

Changu Changu Moto stove

Changu Changu Moto stove

Saving wood is important, and the time it takes women to gather wood is also reduced.    This lady is getting the bricks ready to build the stove.

Selecting bricks for stove

Selecting bricks for stove

The changu changu moto is three bricks tall with two burners.   The last layer of mud, often called plaster, is being applied to a new stove.

Putting final mud, or plaster, on new stove

Putting final mud, or plaster, on new stove

The stove must dry for about a week before it is ready to use.   The women also put the pot rests on the stove.   This enables the pots to cook more evenly as there is air between the fire and the pot.   This lady is cooking on her new stove.

Cooking on new changu changu moto stove

Cooking on new changu changu moto stove

The stoves and cooking area are usually in a separate structure, a short distance from the main house.   We visited two different villages to help build the changu changu moto stoves.   This is a typical back yard in the village.

In back yard

In back yard

Some people have chickens.

Chicken in yard

Chicken in yard

The chickens are kept for their eggs; some to hatch and some to be eaten by humans.   When the chicken is older and not producing many eggs, the chicken is also eaten.   This lady, holding her baby, is very happy to have a new changu changu moto stove.

Mother with her child by her new stove

Mother with her child by her new stove

The five other human women all live near Washington D.C. and belong to a group called Dining for Women.   Dining for Women raises money for projects that help women and girls around the world.   It was through this organization that the other volunteers learned about the changu changu moto stoves.   These women decided to volunteer with Ripple Africa in Malawi, Africa.   Mom and I, Zeb the Duck, learned of their plans and we joined their volunteer group.   For more information about Dining for Women, visit http://www.DiningForWomen.org  We all agree that these stoves are a great help to the women of Malawi.

Zeb the Duck Visits a Fishing Village then Lunch at Ngala Beach Resort.

Ripple Africa is working with the local tribal chiefs and the local fisherman on Lake Malawi.   People were given mosquito nets to reduce mosquito bites which can prevent malaria.   The nets were given with good intentions, but now there is a problem.   The fisherman, trying to support their families, need to catch as many fish as possible.   Unfortunately they have been using mosquito nets as fish nets.   This results in very small fish being caught.   If the small fish are taken from the lake, there will be a shortage of fish very soon.  Ripple Africa is trying to persuade the chiefs and fisherman to not use mosquito nets for fishing.   This will cause a reduction in income now and for a few years, but then an increase in fish, and an increase in income. Many people understand and agree with this, but there are still a few that are worried about a reduction in current income.   We were invited to a meeting with the tribal chiefs about this problem.   The meeting was held near this school.

Children going to school

Children going to school

The children are so curious about the volunteer women.    I love the bright colored uniforms.   After the meeting, we visited a fishing village.   These are the fishing boats used on Lake Malawi.

Fishing boats

Fishing boats

You will notice the nets in the boats on the right and on the left.   There was no decision that day; this will take time for all to agree.   After the fishing village, the volunteer women, and I, Zeb the Duck,had a wonderful lunch here, at Ngala Beach Lodge on Lake Malawi.

Ngala Beach Lodge

Ngala Beach Lodge

Chris and Sandi, the owners of the Ngala Beach Lodge really made us feel welcome.

Chris and Sandi, the resort owners

Chris and Sandi, the resort owners

Well humans, let’s go inside.

Let's enter the resort

Let’s enter the resort

Isn’t this beautiful?

Lake Malawi from deck of resort

Lake Malawi from deck of resort

Lake Malawi from the deck the lodge is gorgeous.   These bright flowers are so tropical.

Beautiful tropical flowers

Beautiful tropical flowers

I could stay here and feel like I was in paradise.   An extra bonus.

Swimming pool

Swimming pool

We always appreciate a great swimming pool.   This is a wonderful place for me.

My friend, the hippo

My friend, the hippo

This hippo is my new friend.   And look.

Giraffe with long neck

Giraffe with long neck.  I am sitting on a turtle table.   His shell is comfortable.

Everyone loves a giraffe.   These wooden carvings are fantastic.

Wooden carvings

Wooden carvings

With all these animal statues, we must be in Africa.   For more information about this resort, visit http://www.NgalaBeach.com This is a really great day in Malawi.

Zeb the Duck Sees Daily Life on Lake Malawi

In Malawi, we walk to most places.   While we are walking we often see friendly children, in school uniforms.

Friendly school children

Friendly school children

The children always want to talk to us, asking our names and we ask their names.   They want to know where we live.   Many visitors here are from the United Kingdom, so the United States or America, also invites more questions.   These children are very polite and kind.   They seem to enjoy practicing their English with us.   There are many cows here, also.

I like these cows

I like these cows

Usually there is a Malawian man nearby, watching the cows and directing their movements.   I like these cows.   This teacher is standing in front of his preschool classroom.

Preschool teacher in front of classroom

Preschool teacher in front of classroom

Aren’t these tropical plants so green?

Such beautiful tropical green plants

Such beautiful tropical green plants

So pretty.  We walked to Ripple Africa’s nursery.   These tree seedlings are almost ready to plant.

Tree seedlings

Tree seedlings

Ripple Africa teaches about reforestation and is involved with the local community to plant trees.   Also at the nursery, the human volunteers made bricks.   First they removed their shoes, put water in the dirt, and walked barefoot, mixing the dirt and water to make mud.   Then the mud was put into molds for bricks.

Barefoot in the mud. Filling brick molds with mud for bricks

Barefoot in the mud.  Filling brick molds with mud for bricks

The full molds were then dumped to dry.

Bricks will dry in tropical sun

Bricks will dry in tropical sun

Most people make bricks for making stoves and houses.   Later we visited Angela.   Angela had land and wanted to help her community.   She is using her land as a farm.

Angela at her farm

Angela at her farm

She grows some potatoes and plants many trees.   She plants a variety of fruit trees.    This is a welcome and familiar sight in our village.   Many children go to school, at least to primary school.

Children in uniforms entering school

Children in uniforms entering school

We believe that education is very important for everyone.   Remember that the human women are volunteering with Ripple Africa for 2 weeks.   Ripple Africa has two locations on Lake Malawi.   This sign shows the direction for each.

Lowani or Mwaya?

Lowani or Mwaya?

I am staying at Lowani Beach.   Mwaya Beach is where the long term volunteers are staying.   The two locations are very close.   We walk between them, sometimes on the road and sometimes on the beach.   Each location has housing and dining areas.   Also, each location is on a beautiful  beach.   This is our friend, Pumpkin.

Pumpkin caught these fish

Pumpkin caught these fish

He had been fishing and is showing us his catch.   Very nice fish, Pumpkin.   Pumpkin is also an artist.   We bought a couple paintings from him.

Painting by Pumpkin

Painting by Pumpkin

We liked this typical Malawian activity.

Painting by Pumpkin

Painting by Pumpkin

Lake Malawi is so pretty.   We think these paintings are very nice, don’t you?   Today I wanted to show you what we see every day and a little about how the people live in our closest village.   These humans in Malawi have all been very friendly and very nice to all of us.   We like Malawi and the Malawians.

Zeb the Duck and the Humans Visit Secondary Schools

On our first day with Ripple Africa the human women and I went to the secondary school campus.   Since this is our first outing, I think this means that everyone believes education is very important.   I, Zeb the Duck, believe so also.   Here are some of the teachers in front of the administration building.

Secondary teachers by administration building

Secondary teachers by administration building.   We did meet a lady teacher also.

Two classrooms are in each of these buildings.   We visited the class on the other side of this building.

Classrooms here. We were in class on other side

Classrooms here. We were in class on other side

These students loved to have their pictures taken.

Students love to have photos taken.

Students love to have photos taken.

Really, they loved seeing their pictures.   They were so friendly and nice.   Walking on the campus, I met these girls.

I like these students

I like these students

They are my new friends.   Ripple Africa helps support this secondary campus.   Ripple Africa pays some of the salaries for teachers.   The government of Malawi pays some salaries also.   Ripple Africa helps construct the buildings.   Some of the teachers receive housing on campus.   Here, another house for a new teacher is being built.

Building a new house for future secondary teacher

Building a new house for future secondary teacher

One of the teachers took us to see his house.

Secondary teacher's house

Secondary teacher’s house.  Limited electricity is available here.

I like his house.  This teacher has chickens.   The chickens can climb this ladder and sleep in the chicken house.

Chicken house

Chicken house

Some of the female chickens are in this pen.

This chickens furnished eggs for our breakfast

These chickens furnished eggs for our breakfast

These ladies provided the eggs that Esther cooked for our breakfast.   And the eggs were delicious and so fresh.   Many students walk hours from home to school every day.   This is very difficult as they also need time to study and have work to do at home.   The school, with help from Ripple Africa, built this dormitory for female students.

Girl's dormitory for secondary school

Girl’s dormitory room for secondary school

Some girls can live here, eliminating the hours of walking.   I, Zeb the Duck, think this is great.   After our tour of the school and campus, we walked back to Lowani Beach.   Along the way, we saw this cassava soaking.

Cassava, peeled and soaking

Cassava, peeled and soaking

Cassava is a root vegetable and one of the main foods eaten in this area.   Before soaking, the cassava is peeled.   After peeling and soaking, the cassava is dried in the sun.

Drying cassava

Drying cassava

I will tell you more about cassava another day.   While walking home, we stopped to visit Patrick, the tailor.

Patrick the Tailor

Patrick the Tailor

Patrick was very nice and everyone seems to know and like Patrick.   These are some other stores near Patrick.

Rural stores

Rural stores

I, Zeb the Duck, enjoyed my day visiting the secondary school and seeing things on the walk home.

To Ripple Africa on Lake Malawi

Today I, Zeb the Duck, and the 6 human women are going to our home for the next two weeks. The women are volunteering with the British organization, Ripple Africa.   We are riding north in two cars for most of the day.  Leaving Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, we will be a little south of Mzuzu, Malawi on the shore of Lake Malawi at Nkhata Bay.   Here is the map of Malawi.

Malawi in Southern Africa

Malawi in Southern Africa

While stopping for fuel, we admire this lady and her bright dress.

Pretty lady with colorful dress

Pretty lady with colorful dress

Isn’t she pretty?   I think she is.   While riding, we saw signs announcing that we were in a goat group area.   So, we asked what this meant.   Our driver told us that Heifer International gave some families a few goats.   The families cannot kill and eat the goat.   They use the milk, sell the extra and let the goats reproduce.   The families then give extra goats to another family.

Many goats.

Many goats.

When the village has enough goats, the extra goats are given to another village.   This is a great way to give people a start and let them help themselves and their neighbors.   Now we know what a goat group is.   We like it.   We are now at our new home.   This is our building.

Where we live

Where we live

My room is the door on the left.   Each of the rooms is for two women.   Inside my room I notice the mosquito netting over the beds.

Our room, with mosquito netting over beds

Our room, with mosquito netting over beds

This is necessary to help prevent malaria, from mosquito bites.   There is always the chance of malaria, but this is not the main season for mosquitos.   However, we are all taking daily pills to avoid malaria.   We will eat our meals here.

This is where we eat

This is where we eat

We have a great view of Lake Malawi from our dining area.

Lake Malawi

Lake Malawi

Of course we want to walk on the beach.

Canoe by our beach on Lake Malawi

Canoe by our beach on Lake Malawi

I love this canoe.    As you remember from yesterday’s map, we are in the tropics, between the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn, so there are many wonderful green tropical plants.

Love tropical plants

Love tropical plants

There is no electricity here, so our meals are cooked on a wood burning stove.   This is a 3 burner changu changu moto stove.

Three burner changu changu moto stove

Three burner changu changu moto stove

We will tell you more about these stoves another day.   Ripple Africa helps support this clinic.

The clinic or dispensary

The clinic or dispensary

The hospital is hours away from here, so the clinic is very important.   Ripple Africa also supports and encourages reforestation.   These little black bags of dirt will have tree seedlings inside and will be planted when they are big enough to grow outside.

Bags of dirt to plant tree seedlings

Bags of dirt to plant tree seedlings

One of the main functions of Ripple Africa is to improve the education.   Many schools receive help from Ripple Africa.

Children in uniforms entering school

Children in uniforms entering school

We will show you more about the schools another day.   Today this duck wants to give you a glimpse of what Ripple Africa does, and what we will be doing for the next two weeks.   The slogan for Ripple Africa is “giving a hand up, not a hand out.”  For more information about Ripple Africa, visit http://www.RippleAfrica.org   There is no better way to end our first day on Lake Malawi.

Full moon rising over Lake Malawi

Full moon rising over Lake Malawi

We love the full moon rising over the lake.   Without electricity, the skies here are so beautiful.