Malawi in a nutshell

I am Diana Wanjiru Wanjagi, a UK Volunteer based in Zomba, Malawi. My interests include; long walks to unknown destinations, hiking, exploring trails, listening to music, indulging into new cultures, trying out different delicacies and socializing. Besides the above, I’ve set personal targets I’d want to achieve in life, both socially and professionally-the most challenging as of yet would be to climb Mt. Everest- the highest mountain in the world.

Currently, I have been on placement in Malawi for 9 weeks, with International Citizen Service-International Service. Our project involves increased knowledge of sexual and reproductive health (SRHR), drug and substance abuse for youth in and out of school and training parenting circles to make them more effective in terms of providing parenting education.

My team and I (Zomba Plateaupus) have managed to achieve the above objectives by conducting life skill sessions in schools, both primary and secondary schools. Personally, I’ve mastered the topic on Self Esteem/Self Awareness and that is what I present to the learners most of the time. Having taken 7 years to work on myself, I feel confident enough talking to the youth about it. The rest of the team has found their specialist areas that they have interests in, thus, present that in school sessions.

Conducting a Life Skill Session at Hi-Profile Secondary School

 In our program, we’ve incorporated drama and Theatre For Development (TFD) which have proven to have a significant impact in the communities we’ve visited. Normally, this is effective if we do a community investigation first and identify the key issues facing the community then present that through drama and TFD. We have two youth groups Chinamwali and Mapale that are talented in acting. Our Team Leader, Samson James is good at directing and performing in TFD and has helped us grow in that sector. 

Aside from conducting TFD sessions and school visits sport is also used to achieve our objectives, particularly football and netball with young people. Sports training go hand in hand with health messages so that during tournaments, a message on heath treatment centers (HTC), sexually transmitted infection (STIs) treatment and other SRH Services are discussed so as to raise awareness of them all. I am also very passionate about Women Empowerment programs. 

During this placement, I have conducted sessions with women and realized some of them are dependent on their partners for survival while others are independent and hardworking. My role has been to encourage every woman to put themselves forward in terms of making a living for themselves and their families.

HIV/AIDS presentation in Namalaka Village-led by Hazel Nyaruso and Diana Wanjagi (ICS Volunteers).

ICS Volunteers (Team Zomba Plateaupus) in Thundu village.

ICS Volunteers bidding goodbyes to Bwaila School after a Life Skill Session.

 Malawi is really beautiful. They refer to it as “Warm Heart of Africa.” That has been clear to my eyes as its citizens are quite friendly and helpful. The relationship I’ve had with ICVs has been worthwhile. My host sister, Wezzie is a beautiful, intelligent, warm hearted lady whose friendship I will keep for a lifetime. She’s created a sense of comfort for me at work and even in our house.  I learn a lot of the culture, foods and language (Chichewa) from her.