This evening begins a new adventure. I’m flying to Lilongwe, Malawi (Africa) and then riding in a jeep for 9hrs up to the city of Chitipa. My church partners with World Relief to help bring relief and hope to a country devastated by the effect of AIDS/HIV. Malawi is one of the poorest nations on the earth and has an AIDS rate of 16%. Chitipa, in the far northern part of this south African nation, is often called the “forgotten district,” as it is an extremely disadvantaged area.

World Relief utilizes the H.E.A.R.T. model in the Malawi ministry which is an acronym for its efforts to reduce HIV/AIDS by raising the standard of living in a community through: Health, Education, Agriculture, Refugee and Trade initiatives. Our initial work in Chitipa focuses on helping to increase the rate of child and maternal survival rates, which are devastatingly low in Chitipa.

My team of three will be focused on working with the childcare providers caring for young children and youth up to age 18. We will be sharing important teaching ideas and resources to enhance the sustainability of their efforts. We’ve packed supplies and materials to provide them with new learning opportunities, but will also share new ideas for using their own natural materials for learning.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to use my phone or internet in Malawi so there will be no Malawi updates via Facebook, this blog, or Twitter until my return to the USA. I’ll be in Africa for 2 weeks. In the meantime, please feel free to contact my ECYD colleague Sharon Bergen if you have questions about the ECYD program, registering for classes, etc. You may reach her at 651.423.8398 or sharon.bergen@dctc.edu. (Email is preferred at this time)