In preparation for the upcoming rainy season, ongoing renovation and maintenance continues. This includes replastering of an uphill facing wall to protect it for the incoming water deluge during the rains, repainting the black lower ring around all buildings to help reseal the lower walls and protect from water ingress as well as starting to prepare new iron roofing sheets for the library roof by painting them with roof guard sealant. Ongoing maintenance is essential every year to protect Nyumba ya Masambiro’s buildings from both the damage from the strong UV rays during the sunny seasons as well as the heavy rains during rainy season.
We would like to extend a huge “thank you!” to volunteer Claire who volunteered with us in Ruarwe for 4 weeks. A qualified doctor from Australia, with experience with remote working there, Claire worked alongside the staff at Ruarwe Health Centre and really got stuck into life at Nyumba ya Masambiro and in the village. She has written a wonderful summary of her time here in Malawi:
“🇲🇼I was thanked by community members for coming to work at Ruarwe Health Clinic because it is so remote that not even local Malawian doctors want to go there. It is only accessible by boat and foot. There are no roads. There was no running water for most of my time there and only electricity to a few key buildings in the village.
It was a no-brainer for me to go to Ruarwe; it is all I’ve ever wanted to do. I have been fully aware of my privilege since I was young. Lucky to be born into a wealthy white family to very healthy and loving parents in a country where others were and continue to battle a multitude of devastating illnesses and hardship.
My role in Ruarwe was to give the medical assistant a break. He has been working 24/7 365 for the last 7 years. Yes, that is right he has been on call for the last 7 years and receives a whopping salary of approx. $500/month. I would see everyone in the morning clinic, and he would “switch off,” answer any questions, and see the very sick patients that’d require inpatient observation.
Yes, it was tough. I was using a translator the whole time, so nothing was quick and easy. Were there cultural barriers? Yes, of course, but that happens everywhere you go. Would I do it again? Yes, of course.
Thank you to Phunzira and NYM for making it possible. Thank you to Philippa for making the whole experience amazing. Thank you to the Ruarwe community, NYM staff, and clinic staff for welcoming me in and helping me every day. Tawonga chomene 🖤❤️💚”
Thank you Claire for giving your time to the community and we very much hope to see you here again soon!
The Youth Hall at Nyumba ya Masambiro continues to be an open space for the wider community to hold meetings. In the last few months, it has been used by the chiefs’ council, youth leaders within the community and Temwa for example. Temwa, the NGO based in Usisya, 20km south of Ruarwe, has similar objectives to Nyumba ya Masambiro. Working within the realms of health, education, agriculture and the environment, Ruarwe is within the catchment area for Temwa. Once or twice a month, Temwa comes to host a friendly football match tied in with education within the Ruarwe area. On these visits, they make use of the Nyumba ya Masambiro Youth Hall for their preparatory meetings and discussions. We are grateful that Nyumba ya Masambiro remains a safe and open space and the preferred meeting space for community members far and wide!
Phunzira 