Sharing is Caring.

My last post referred to a not-so-nice experience within the community. This current entry may come as a bit of a contrast but it is something that I can't help noticing and am proud to write a post on.

Malawians open their hearts to those around them and are always willing to help. I work with people whose wages don't exceed 15,000MK per month (approximately €70 or £60) and I have learnt not to underestimate the amount of people this money sustains. The wife/husband, the children, the mother and father in law, the cousins... Plus, raising their salaries is not going to increase the amount of maize they place on the table; it just extends the list of people needed to support.

Every other week there is someone in the hospital who has a child, has a death in the family or is getting married. No chance, it's always happening. The reason I know this is because a staff member will come around the hospital with a sheet of paper and an envelope. People donate money (approximately 50cents or 40pence) and sign it off. I don't think I have ever given anything, my excuse is always the fact that I'm a volunteer and don't really have money to be giving off every week. Or maybe "Who's Chipirilo? The guy sitting in the corner of the laundry room who sews buttons on the uniforms? I've never even spoken to him in my life."

But those aren't real excuses, and nowadays I just tend to run away out of shame. I'm a volunteer yet I spend more money alone than most staff members who have to share out their wages amongst their extended family and perhaps neighbours who are in a state of poverty worst than themselves. And who cares if you don't know who Chipirilo is? He's in need of money so the logical and caring thing to do is help him.

I haven't posted a photograph in a while, here goes me with my colleague and patients: