Reasons why Malawi is still so poor

Are, I think, (in no particular order):

• Envy, which causes a lot of destruction;
• Corruption, which undermines systems;
• Colonialism, which has either created or accentuated a culture where individuals are discouraged from taking decisions, which causes stagnation and delay;
• Self-interest (of some donors), who are only just beginning to co-ordinate their efforts, rarely stay for more than a few years and frequently make aid conditional on the introduction of systems and ideologies that don't fit here, which wastes a lot of energy and resources;
• Greed (of some in power), which the greedy part of me understands, but which causes some shocking inefficiencies and inequalities;
• Hypocrisy, which means that notions of 'international free trade' are just a joke and it is a constant up-hill struggle for Malawi to sell things and prosper.

F x

Please read this book

'Fearless Fighter' Vera Chirwa's autobiography.

She was the first Malawian woman lawyer (or first in Southern Africa, maybe both), campaigned for independence, campaigned for democracy and, together with her husband, spent may years in jail under Dr. Banda's (the Malawian dictator's) regime.

I don't think I agree with all of her politics but can not recommend this book enough. Particularly for the clear overview it gives of Malawi's political history and for the convincing conclusions she reaches about why Malawi is still so poor.....

F x

Just This Once

I'm going to break my own rule and mention my work: I'm dead chuffed with the report I've just handed to the Judiciary. Team of 4 of us did its strategic review, assessed progress, areas for improvement and drew up a list of things they could do. A says giving people 'to-do lists' is my natural talent. I've enjoyed the past 10 weeks and hope that is true. There is a lot that can be done but things can change.
F x

Giraffes are cool (and the low ride even goes on safari!)

:-)

We Love Norman Carr

Fantastic lodge place at the lake. We went with a bunch of pals for the Easter weekend and were very happy eating, drinking and sleeping.

In particular, see pic of sundowners in the lake - life jacket round your bum and legs like a little seat and happily bob away with a G&T in the lake. Must be the peak of human endeavour - seriously!

Happy, happy days.

F x

One Year On

Saturday was exactly one year since I arrived in Malawi - and what a year!

You've read a lot about it and are probably better placed than me to notice any changes in mood and attitude. But even I can tell that things seem very different now to me than they did 365 days ago.

Things I have learnt include:

• Change can be good;
• It's important to trust your instincts; and
• Spiders are always evil (a year on, they still make me cry).

But most of all - it's the people that make a place. Scotland or Malawi, if you're not with the people you love (or really can't love the ones you're with) then you're wasting your precious time.

We've been lucky. The people here have made our year.

F x

PS - we celebrated one year and started our good-byes by splashing out on 'the' proper swanky restaurant in town (so the photo was actually taken in Malawi!)