Farewell from Malawi (by DG Larry Scott)

Today I have the honor to write our final travel log from Malawi, the warm heart of Africa.

This is our final full day, but as with all Americans, we need our opportunity to buy "things". Rather than a day of rest we set off once again to see those parts of Africa we had not yet experienced.

Off in our lovely "pink" bus/van, now permanently covered in diesel smoke, we drove to Mua Parrish. Leaving the main paved two-lane highway (single lane bridges) we ascended the hills on a very rough dirt road (sort of a path) to arrive some time later at the Parrish and village. What a wonderful oasis hidden in those hills. A running river, waterfalls, giant bamboo, and the hills deep verdant hue with giant trees, plants and flowers.

Here we found a magnificent church, a history museum, and cultural center. Joining us were people from Denmark, Great Britain, Seattle, Washington, and Washington DC.

Our team once again leading the way bought more African figures, art, cloth and cards than they will ever use, to join the pottery, wood carvings, and other items we have obtained during our stay. If you have a future auction, just contact one of the team members for several unique items.

During our travel today we encountered two "Kampeni" characters. Dressed with their faces covered in cloth type sacks, their bodies painted gray, brandishing their long knives, they performed their dance for us alongside the road. They represent the messengers of the spirit world. We also provided some pencils and other items to the most wonderful, wide-eyed, innocent children we found along the road.

Our return from Mua found us once again at the roadside village shopping area. Naturally we assisted the economy by purchasing more bowls, candleholders, bracelets, carved figures, walking sticks, and a boat. Oh yes, do not forget the African mask which will adorn someone's new African room in their home.

And so my friend we spend our final day at Livingstonia Hotel at Lake Malawi where people greet you with "Tikulandisani" which means welcome in Chichewa. The pale lilac mountains hover in the hay behind the small baobab trees, and the lake is like a shimmering pearl. We are so close to the beach that the soft lap of the waves sooths one to sleep. Malawi - spoken with a emphasis on the second "a" - it means reflections on light in chichewa. After the country became independent, Malawi was chosen as the name of the country replacing the colonial Ayasaland. David Livingstone first called Lake Malawi "Lake of the Stars", an apt name for a body of water that sparkles and dances in sunlight.

Now my friends, we complete our last full day with a "brie" (barbeque to you) with our Rotarian friends from Lilongwe. We have traveled the country from North to South and East to West. We have labored in Ntchisi, Nkhoma, Ntingu, Ntcheu and Balaka. We have watched beautiful sunrises and sunsets from Chivadzulu, Chikwawa, Mulanje and Zomba. We have worked, laughed and cried in the rain, mud and sunshine from Mvuu, Mzimba, Mzuzu, Rumphi, Karonga, Nkhotakota and Salima.

For all of this we thank you, for making possible the opportunity for our District, your Clubs, to be a part of a major humanitarian effort to assist the people of this proud but extremely devastated country, to once again realize hope and an opportunity for a new life. As the recipients crawled into the Mount Soche hotel to receive a chair, many members of our team, actually your team, with tears in their eyes, rushed to them to place them in their new hope for life. The stories, the scenes, over and over, touch the deepest part of your heart and soul.