Space with Purpose
We visited Nkhata Bay for 11 days starting January 15, 2014. Our plan of visiting this side of Lake Malawi was extended by the great opportunity of getting involved with their people. We stayed at Butterfly Space, a unique backpacker lodge and charity with multiple social projects to inspire. We were offered a double room with a spectacular lake view, an unforgettable bonus. We decided to stay longer to participate in their projects and learn from the years of leadership that Josie and Alice, two amazing women from England and owners of the lodge, had dedicated to this nation. Through their work and efforts, the lives of many children and Malawian families, as well as volunteers from all over the world, have been positively impacted.
Their projects in education, disease prevention, premaculture, computer technology, media communication, and much more are an amazing way of making a difference in the community. We shared these unforgettable days with Richard, Lucy, Baz, and Scott, all volunteers from England, and appreciate Alice, Josie, and all their caring staff for allowing us to be part of their wonderful space.
Butterfly Space is a green property by the lake, with private rooms, dormitories, camping area, bar, restaurant, gardens, compost toilets, and urinals. As you walk along the lodge, you find signs hanging on trees and plants regarding their medicinal properties. The spirit of learning is felt all over the place. During our days in Butterfly Space we were welcomed to participate and help in their daily groups.
In the early mornings we were eager to be part of the English, Math, and Science classes for a group of 10 local children between the ages of 4 and 6 years old. Thanks to a grant funded by Rotary International, Butterfly Space was able to build a classroom where these kids receive free education Monday through Friday. These children are extremely fortunate when compared with the rest of the children in rural areas of Malawi, who attend public school with an average of 100 students per class.
The program is ran by volunteers and native English speakers from all over the world. During our days in the classroom, we enjoyed the happiness and passion of these children to learn and impressed at their exceptional math and reading skills at such an early age. During recess, their laughs and games put smiles in our face. Waking up early in the mornings had a rewarding purpose because we firmly believe attention and education are the best gift you could give to any human being. On Fridays, the class is joined by a group of disabled youth and together they take a didactic lesson on life skills. Butterfly Space has also built two nurseries in the area where little children receive childcare and a facility that teaches working skills to disabled youth in the community.
Jumping Rope With the Kids
In the late mornings and afternoons we were able to join different groups. Fighting Against AIDS with Nutrition was a powerful setting in which HIV positive individuals receive information, support, and nutritional strategies to increase their quality of life. During the session we attended, the topic of discussion was breast feeding. We were honored to meet the group members and learn with them more about this subject. The dynamic of the group was open and interactive. The group is procured with the assistance of Ofanuel, the lodge manager which is fluent in Tonga (local language) and English, serving as a translator to facilitate the communication and discussion of the topic between participants. We were impressed by the willingness to share and learn from the participants, which were mainly local women with children. They were open to talk about their own experience of breast feeding their children after being diagnosed with HIV and express their questions regarding the different medications they have been prescribed through the last years of treatment. After the group processing, group members gathered together to cook and share a healthy meal. We were happy to be part of the group, learning from them how to prepare their traditional pumpkin leaves, rice, and chicken over the fire. The entire experience helped us get in touch with a health issue that has been estimated to affect the lives of about 12% of the Malawian population. Having direct contact with HIV positive individuals eliminated our misconception of the typical patient and humanized our eyes of their living battle against this disease. Their effort to join the group and not give up with life impacted us deeply.
On another afternoon, we were welcomed to join another Fighting Against AIDS with Nutrition group that promotes starting a local business. Thanks to this group, women in the community have discovered recipes to make healthy products with native, accessible, and inexpensive ingredients. A previous group of participants made and is selling delicious peanut butter with success around Nkhata Bay. During the class, Lucy, a volunteer from England, taught and assisted the women to make oatmeal biscuits with ginger, peanuts, raisins, and cinnamon on an open fire. She adapted the recipe to fit the cooking setting of a Malawian household. All the biscuits made in the class were sold just within a few hours, this was without a doubt a great beginning for a promising business venture!
As part of the meeting, participants are invited to lunch. We decided to make our small contribution by cooking Salvadorian pupusas with beans, cheese, and curtido for them. All the ingredients used to make this traditional recipe from Sal’s country are easily found and commonly used in the Malawian diet. Maize flour, for example, is the base ingredient for nsima and pupusas. Lunch was a complete success, we enjoyed seeing the local women eating pupusas with pleasure and we had a great time making them for the first time. This trip continues to be an opportunity not only to explore other cultures and cuisines around the world but to appreciate and learn more about our own.
Twice a week we participated in the Youth Group, which provide children with a context to learn with enjoyment. During the Youth group, volunteers offer interesting activities including dancing, games, sports, and watching documentaries. Butterfly Space has a comprehensive media center that allows local youth to use a computer, internet, access information, a recording room, and a film projection room completely free. In this space, we heard and saw children learning how to use a computer and recording their own music to create their dreams.
Another interesting group taking place on Wednesday afternoons, was the Women’s Group. In this group, participants have been taught by a tailor the art of sewing and given all the materials necessary to make beautiful skirts and pursues that are for sale. Gisela was excited to join the group because she has been wanting, for a while, to learn this skill. As a result, she used a sewing machine for the first time and made two small bags, buying one for herself as a souvenir.
Everyday something interesting was happening at Butterfly Space. For us, the projects developing here were a real chance to learn more about Malawi and support their community. This space became our home and could become yours too, if you are looking for ways of making a difference, check it out: www.butterfly-space.com
