Peace Corps Malawi
Bridge to Pre-Service Training
Welcome and Introduction
Greetings from Lilongwe, and welcome to Malawi, “the Warm Heart of Africa.” As you prepare to step on the plane, we know that your immediate thoughts and concerns deal with your travel, training and the next few months. We are thrilled that you have accepted the invitation to join Peace Corps Malawi for the next two years. Below, we’ve provided a brief outline of the training period that hopefully will answer some of those questions.
Arrival In Malawi
Suggested Dress Upon Arrival
Please dress for comfort on the plane, but carry-on a change of clothes that will be appropriate for your arrival at the airport in Malawi. In Malawi, dress is very important and to a large extent will determine how Malawians interact with you. Long trousers and a shirt with a collar are fine for men, skirt or long slacks and a shirt with collar work for women. You will see other foreigners in shorts and t-shirts at the airport. They are perceived as, and treated as, tourists by many Malawians. Our experience has shown that you want to avoid that perception by following Malawian norms for proper dress. During official Peace Corps events (like your Swearing-in Ceremony at the end of training), we do observe a dress code. So be sure to bring professional dress for these occasions. Clothing that may be perceived as “military” (i.e. camouflage) is not allowed.
Malawi has some of the best weather in Africa and you’re coming right in the middle of the cold season (average highs are in the lower 80s/upper 70s but the lows drop down to the 40s at night). The highest peak near the training site is almost 6,000 ft, so have a sweater or jacket and something warm to sleep in. You will learn to love that fleece you thought you’d never need in Africa!
Logistics
Your flight itinerary is more complicated as usual because of the logistical challenges due to the World Cup in South Africa. Therefore, you’re going to be flying from the US to Malawi, via Amsterdam and Nairobi. Your luggage will be checked all the way through to Lilongwe, so you do not have to worry about re-checking your bags. Please note that due to TSA security regulations, you may not be able to lock your checked bags during transit to Malawi from New York, unless you have TSA-friendly locks. Additionally, you will want to make sure to bring a few days worth of clothing in your carry-on luggage, just in case your bags take a little while to arrive. We have had a lot of luck in terms of luggage arriving here safely, but it’s always best to be on the safe side.
Upon you arrival in Lilongwe you will be greeted by some key members of the PC/Malawi training staff. They will facilitate the processing of immigration entrance visas and get you through customs. You’re arriving around 11pm, so we will take you directly to a hotel in Lilongwe to let you catch up on some much need rest. The following day we will you will also have a brief tour of the office (mail, medical, library, etc) and you will also have the chance to store some of your valuables (credit cards, money, passport, ext) in our safe. Then we will proceed down one of the most beautiful highways in Malawi to Dedza where you will begin PST.
Orientation (The First Few Days)
Accommodations
For the first week, trainees will stay in dorm rooms at the Dedza College of Forestry, which sits at the base of Dedza Mountain in the middle of a high altitude pine forest. The facilities are very simple but clean, with common bathrooms. The first week is designed to orient you to Malawian culture and to the main goals and objectives of Peace Corps Malawi’s mission. But there is only so much you can learn about a culture from a distance, therefore after the first week you will be placed with Malawian host families. The people of Malawi are renowned for their hospitality, generosity and kindness and we feel as if there is no better way to get to know the people of Malawi than to live with host families. At the end of the first week, you will be moved to one of five home stay villages, which are divided by language groups in order to immerse you both linguistically and culturally. You will be provided with you own room, with simple furnishings, within a family home. Most host families do not have electricity, but you still find your evenings full of socializing with your community members by lamp or fire light. Your host families have been hand-picked by Peace Corps and have received their own cross cultural training to prepare them for their time with you. Additionally, there will be a Cultural Language Facilitator, a Technical Trainer and a second year Peace Corps Volunteer in each village to conduct your training sessions and to serve as a support team for any questions or concerns that may arise.
Dietary Issues
You will eat simple, good food during training. Vegetarians do not have significant trouble in Malawi as long as the information is clearly and respectfully communicated. Hosts often want to honor a guest by providing meat, especially poultry or fish. Most Malawian villagers eat a vegetarian diet, more out of necessity than choice. Consistent and polite declines will best communicate your dietary restrictions. Once in country, Trainees should advise the Homestay Coordinator on any dietary concerns. During this time, you will be given “walk about money” so you will be able to buy some basic goods such as beverages, potato chips, and cookies at small local stores. But for the most part, all meals will be taken with your host family with the exception of days (Thursdays) spent at the College of Forestry.
Baggage
After the first few days in Malawi, you will not have access to your entire luggage. Try to pack with most necessary things together so you can reorganize easily, and use your smaller bag or pack for what you will take to homestay. Keeping it simple will be best during this time. Ideally, one bag should be packed for storage with items you will not need during PST. The other bag should be packed for things to bring with you to your homestay during PST.
Bicycles
Each of you will be issued a sturdy “mountain bike” for use at your site. You will be measured for suitable frame size soon after your arrival. The bikes will arrive by the end of PST when you will receive bicycle riding and maintenance training. You will not need these bikes during PST as you will be fully immersing yourself in the local village by walking as much as possible.
Vaccinations
You will be getting several vaccinations during the training period. If you have a Yellow World Health Organization (WHO) Card be sure to bring it along with any other documentation about vaccinations you have had. This will assist the Peace Corps Medical Officers (PCMO) in determining which immunizations you will require. If you do not have a Yellow WHO Card, you will receive one during PST. If you do not have or do not bring your WHO card then the PCMOs will assume you will need to receive all the required vaccinations in-country.
Communication
As a Trainee in Dedza you will not have access to either Internet or e-mail – with the possible exception of the weekend following site visit (mid-August). As a Volunteer you will have email/Internet access at the Peace Corps Office (available in the Volunteer lounge during daylight hours). Please make sure your family is aware to send mail the old fashioned way. There is an office phone at the training site for business and emergency purposes, and the Training Manager has a cell phone for emergencies. Since you won’t have access to phone or email, please inform your families that no news is good news concerning your arrival.
Local Currency/Money Matters
When you first arrive there will be an opportunity to place your personal passport, travelers checks, credits cards, etc in the safe at the Peace Corps Office. You will be given a large envelope in Lilongwe in which to place these items along with a form describing the contents. It is STRONGLY recommended that you take advantage of this service. You may not have access to the safe during the 10 week PST period. However, you will have access to this safe throughout your service and it eliminates worry of theft or loss during PST and at your site.
After brief initial introductions at the Peace Corps Office you will receive your first installment of “walk-around” allowance. This is a small amount of cash in the local currency called Malawi “Kwacha”. Thereafter, you will receive a fixed amount of fortnightly installments of Kwacha to cover small incidental items during the pre-service training period.
A Word About Technology
In the interest of full disclosure, three forms of technology have become increasingly important or popular for PCVs in recent years – laptop computers, MP3 players, and cell phones. Some Volunteers choose to bring these items with them and are happy that they did, and you are welcome to do so. Each item brings with it many pros and cons, so it is good to consider each side:
- On the one hand, funding proposals can be written on your laptop and emails or letters composed for your next trip into Internet access. They’re quite handy. On the other hand, a laptop may isolate you from your community and it might be a target of theft if people know you have one. Repairs, service, and software updates are costly.
- An MP3 player, such as an iPod or a Zune, can be a welcome and portable form of entertainment. You can also continue learning in your village by listening to educational podcasts – lots are available at iTunes! MP3 players, however, can break down and service is impossible.
- A cell phone will likely be an important communication tool for you. Small and light, the cell phone is the phone of choice in Malawi – nearly everyone has one and service is available in most areas! Most PCVs use pre-paid– http://www.mw.celtel.com/ or http://www.telekom.co.mw/. You will need a GSM or “world” phone, which you can acquire in-country, and you will become adept at sending text messages because cell phone service is so expensive in Malawi.
Each of these items may be of varying importance to you and you should carefully consider whether or not to bring them. These items may be the target of opportunistic theft. If broken, lost, or stolen, however, Peace Corps will not replace or repair them. We strongly recommend that you buy personal property insurance to cover all your items.
Local Conditions
The Dedza Training Site is within the Malawi College of Forestry. There is a lot of pine plantation area, hills of indigenous forest and mainly dirt (muddy) roads. The rain and elevation makes it chilly sometimes, but then the sun comes out and it’s nice and toasty. Please be prepared for chilly temperatures by bringing along a fleece or light jacket for your time at the training site. You will be riding bikes that will be issued to you for your extension work.
Agenda
On Sunday, the day you arrive in Dedza, we will organize a welcome activity that will be low key. Often people want to go for a short hike right away, or sleep off the plane ride, so the afternoon is free. For the first three days, there will be introductory sessions for culture, Chichewa language, and brief informational interviews with the APCD and PCMOs. There will also be a briefing on the entire 8-week training period.
Moni from Malawi 