Celebration of the DASH to Malawi 2014 trip

The head of DASH, Ann Green, hosted an evening event at Square One in Coventry to showcase the experiences and activities of the pioneer group of 12 students who went to Malawi in 2014.

Tom and Kieron perform

Tom and Kieron perform

Group at celebration 2 compressed

 

Ann Green introduces our internationalisation trip to malawi

Ann Green introduces our internationalisation trip to Malawi

Students prepare to perform; Pat (organiser) is amused; Ann (head of DASH) looks worried

Students prepare to perform; Pat (organiser) is amused; Ann (Head of DASH) looks worried

 

Liz performs

Liz performs

Audience 2 compressed

Malawi Visit 2014 – Videos

The first work experience trip (August/September 2014)  was to the central African country of Malawi where students stayed in two rural lodges, one on the shores of Lake Malawi.

Malawi Visit 2014 – What will Students be doing?

Malawi Visit 2014 – Toys for the Local Children

Malawi Visit 2014 – Dietetics students interested in Diet & Nutrition

 

Malawi Visit 2014 – What Can You Do?

 

Teaching at a nursery in a village on Lake Malawi

This nursery teaches 157 children under five.

During our stay at Nanchengwa lodge at Lake Malawi we visited Mdalacikowa Nursery where we all donated some toys as they had nothing before we arrived. The children’s smiles lit up the room when we gave them each a toy to play with. We spent two mornings playing with the children, this was a lovely experience and really good fun. They sang twinkle twinkle little star to us in English and they loved playing clapping games. Beth Doda

 Bryony with excited young children at the nursery

Bryony with excited young children at the nursery

Making mud bricks

We went to help a village high up in the mountainous region, too far and treacherous for any vehicle to enter carrying building supplies such as bricks. We arrived to be engulfed by a large group of the children, as was the case at most villages we worked at. We met a group of villagers who were making bricks from the water, mud and clay dust which was available from the ground itself. The process involved mixing water and mud together with hoes, then all of us jumping around in the mixture till it was a smooth dough like consistency. I definitely shouldn’t have worn jeans!  The mixture was then placed in casts and left to dry in the sun. As we started to get involved more and more villagers came out to help which showed a strong sense of community.  Sunny Nahal

Getting dirty making mud bricks to build a classroom

Getting dirty making mud bricks to build a classroom

Cultural celebrations at Lake Malawi

Upon our arrival at Nanchengwa Lodge (on the shores of Lake Malawi)  we had the chance to observe an initiation ceremony- the last part of a 30-day ritual- and see  a local Nyau dance. 

Boys dressed up for the final village celebration of their initiation; well wishers donate drinks & money

Boys dressed up for the final village celebration of their initiation; well wishers donate drinks & money

Masked Nyau dancer performs in the village

Masked Nyau dancer performs in the village

Start the day with Chichewa lessons

Words can’t describe the experience of volunteering in Malawi. I enjoyed every second of it and hope to go again in the future. From day 1 we started learning Chichewa (the main language spoken in Malawi) and a little about the culture and African music by meeting a chief and an artist. Dan Javed

Practicing Chichewa

Practicing Chichewa

Learning Chichewa next to the pool at Fisherman's Rest

Learning Chichewa next to the pool at Fisherman’s Rest

Staff at Fisherman’s Rest giving language lessons

Student reflections – DASH to Malawi 2014

Please click on a student name to read their reflective account of the trip to Malawi

 

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Tracey Askew –

 

Kieron pic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kieron Breen –

 

Beth pic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beth Doda –

 

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Bryony Downes –

 

Dan pic

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dan Javed –

 

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Asha Malla –

 

Liz pic

 

 

 

 

 

Liz McCabe –

 

Sunny pic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunny Nahal –

 

Rob pic

 

 

 

 

 

Rob Poole –

 

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Chantelle Randle –

 

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Lauren Rogers –

 

 

Tom pic

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tom Swinley –