Vince Gets a Lesson About Malawi

Today Vince and I ventured up to Lexington, MA to visit a former student from when I was in the Peace Corps in Malawi. Lizzie is one amazing Malawian woman. She was a student at the school of another peace corps volunteer near me in the north (yay Tumbuka tribe!), and every one of us educators that met her immediately knew she had special qualities that set her apart from other Malawian students. She is a very hard working and dedicated student, always asking for help and working late every night. She never gives up, and in spite of the odds of most girls not completing school in Malawi, Lizzie completed all her schooling and graduated with high marks! She was always active with the Girls Clubs activities that we put together, and empowered other girls to work hard and get their education.

Through the help of scholarships, Peace Corps volunteers, and their family members.... Lizzie was able to come and study in the United States! She's been here for over 5 years now .... received her Bachelor's at Hollins University, and is now working on her Masters Degree in Education at Syracuse University in New York. Her goal is to finish her studies and go back to Malawi and work in education to improve the future of young Malawians, she's amazing!!! This week she is on spring break and spending time in MA so we headed over to see her. I couldn't wait for Vince to have a little taste of Malawi!!


While Vince and Lizzie got to know each other, we had fun teaching him some Chitumbuka!! He got a few words under his belt: he figured out yewo chomene pretty easily (yewo=thank you; chomene=very much) and he went around saying 'Malawi' for a little while which was super cute. He couldn't quite get Muli Uli down (Muli Uli=How are you?) although he would try! We knew what he was saying though.


Here's Vince after the long lessons on Malawi and Chitumbuka! Sweet dreams little man, may you be dreaming of Africa! And good luck with your final months of schooling Lizzie! We are so proud of you, Malawi will be lucky to have you back and working to make a better future for all Malawians!! Yewo Chomene!!