Build Day 1

Today was our first build day. Our team had split into two groups, so we could work on two houses. We learned we would be building for two families: Patuma, a widow with a teenage son, and also raising her two orphaned grandsons; and Rajabu, a young man with a new wife who’s caring for his two orphaned siblings.

When we arrived this morning, we were greeted by our families and the entire village! The children met our bus, and led us down a path to Patuma’s house, where many from the village were gathered, and were dancing and singing to welcome us.

The corners of the new houses were already laid, and we worked on the walls once the mason showed us how to lay the bricks. The houses are quite a distance apart, as we found out when we tried to walk to the other site for a break. We did come together for lunch, and were able to spend time playing with all the children.

The families will be getting new outdoor latrines as part of their homes, but they are brand new and were first used by us today. The most eventful thing that happened at the build site was that Carin’s phone fell out of her pocket into the squat toilet. The whole village gathered to figure out what to do. The mason tried fishing it out, but they ended up digging around the side and into the hole. The homeowner jumped into the hole and retrieved it. Surprisingly, the phone was still on. Hopefully it will be okay after it dries out.

While working, we learned a few words of Chichewa (the local language). We finished up the work day by 4:30 and headed back to our lodge, where we were able to shower before dinner and our team meeting. Everyone is quite tired today, so bedtime will come early.

Usiku wabwino (“good night” in Chichewa)

Kari

P.S. Happy Birthday from our team to Joanna’s mom, Jason’s dad, and Pam’s brother!!