3rd August

Day 11, Wednesday 3rd August
Today was our last day at Chipepwete school, as normal the schools assembly took place- where they sing the national anthem, and today a few of the girls learnt the Chichewan words to it!  The activities went well, bunting was decorated, human knots got untangled, books were read and lots of stickers - everyone seemed to enjoy them.  We had made a lot of friends at this school and Millie was even given a headband from one of the girls to remember her by. After running our sessions, we served the phala as usual as part of the food program, which is always quite a chaotic experience but our crowd control skills have improved. It is also a really important job as this could be the only meal that some of the children will be receiving.
We had the afternoon off, where most of us spent some time tidying our floordrobes and piles of toiletries, whereas others who didn't have as much to tidy organised the donations pile.  After having a 2 hour tidy up, 10 of us headed off to the pool, where we were greeted by the sight of the sun setting over the mountain range, visible from pool edge.  After a cold swim, and some lovely prom-type stereotypical pool pics, we decided it was time to dry off and take it in turns to use Julia's amazing outdoor shower with a beautiful view. The remaining two, Sai and Alice, headed off with Pearl and Justine for a 'gentle' walk around the nature reserve. Sai led the route and we somehow ended up on the very steep path! It was hard work, but really rewarding for the views, and the girls managed to have a conversation with a local across the valley in Chichewan!
After having our warm showers, it was time for dinner, with our very special guests. Vic, Sue, Matt, Ania and Joe - Fishermans Rest staff, who joined us for dinner to talk about the projects that they do here.  Before dinner we sang some songs to our guests and Liv, who's been a guide for 6 years this coming September, decided she wanted to make her promise.  Lucy introduced her and Kay presented her with a promise badge. Thus she became possibly the only English Girl Guide to make her promise in Malawi! It was a really cool moment.
Over dinner, beef stew and mash, the FR staff spoke a little about the projects that they run here, and how they came to find the place.  The fabulous evening ended with Ania, Vic and Sue telling us how grateful for the donations they are and where a few things are going, the mosquito nets and knitted jumpers will be going to a local maternity clinic, and the Fishermans Rest staff who have children, some pencils and the ring binders will be donated to a ladies teaching group down in Tilitonse community centre.  The glucose pressure testers will be given to a diabetes clinic (or similar), and the English Dictionaries will be given to the schools we visited.
Becca and Liv