Malawian Coaches finally make it...

We made it!  After 2 days of international travel, 4 country’s and innumerable hours of layover we finally made it to our home base, the Sunbird Motel in Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi and home to MUSCCO, the Malawi Union of Savings and Credit Cooperatives – the organization that has invited us to Malawi to assist their credit unions in operational improvements.  Shown here, left to right, are Larry (Sask), Karen (Sask), Blake (New Brunswick), Erin (BC) and Brad (Sask) while Scott (not shown, from Ontario) took the picture.  This is our home base from which Larry and Karen will move south to Blantyre to assist two SACCO’s there while Scott & Brad will head way north to Rumphi to lend what assistance they can.  Erin and Blake will remain in Lilongwe.

On a free afternoon before the work begins, the Canadian Coaches took a break and went off to tour the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, a small nature reserve that sits virtually in the middle of the large geographic area that is Malawi.  A walk about the reserve showed us several indigenous animals including baboons (here seen enjoying one of their favourite foods (corn on the cob) and Green Monkeys.  We also saw Hyenas, lions and crocodiles – what a great afternoon!

Malawian ex-pat assists in training Coaches

Scott is shown here with Stella Kasambara, a native Malawian who made herself available to CCA staff and volunteer Coaches in Ottawa during the three day training held Jan 18 to 20/11.  Stella spent several hours with the Malawian Coaches on Friday answering the many questions we all had, giving each of us the information we needed to properly prepare for the work beginning next week.  Stella is an authority whose careful input will assist us all in avoiding those cultural pit falls that sometimes plague newcomers when travelling abroad.  Something as simple as using the thumb and first finger to indicate “All OK” can (and does, in Malawi!) cause offense!  Or knowing how to properly address someone you have met (in Malawi, generally the last name with the appropriate preface of Mr, Mrs, etc) while in an office setting.  Or how you indicate how tall a child is - by holding your hand, palm up, at the appropriate level - the hand held palm down is only used when indicating the height of animals they might own! 

Scott & Lennie hit the road!

The big day finally arrived!  Scott and Lennie are at the airport late on Jan 17, ready to go on the adventure of a lifetime!  After 3 days of intensive training in Ottawa, Scott & Lennie will head off on the long journey to Africa with Lennie helping credit unions in Ghana while Scott provides assistance to two credit unions in Rumphi, Malawi.

Malawi 2011

Dec 29, 2010:
Several months ago I applied to be a Coach under the CCA Africa Coaching program.  After a resume and application process, I was accepted and planning began in earnest.

I will be going to the town of Rumphi in the northern region of Malawi.  This is a town of some 28,000 people and as I learn more about it I will keep you posted.  My partner is Brad Schultz, a credit professional from Horizon Credit Union in south-west Saskatchewan.  During our two weeks in the country we will be visitng the Rumphi Community Credit Union and Rumphi Teachrs Credit Union.

My research shows a remote and very under-developed town with little infrstructure and less accommodation!  Poverty is a real issue and quality of life a real problem.