MY TY:TY student Bronwyn Reid-McDermottof Athlone Community College recalls a trip of a lifetime as part of the prize for winning this year's Concern Debates competition
'EXCITED SCREAMS of 'Mazungu!' filled the air as our jeep rumbled over the deep red Malawian earth on our way to see one of Concern's many projects in Nkhotakota. It was a long way from a podium in Dublin's RDS, where our team of four students from Athlone Community College had gone from debating issues surrounding the developing world to seeing them first-hand.
"We were filled with enthusiasm and anticipation as we sped along the dusty roads, but what we saw that week far exceeded any of our expectations. Women with pots of water balanced on their heads, families living in huts at the side of the street and men cycling bicycles with anything from a barrel to a live goat strapped to their backs - these were only some of the fascinating sights that greeted us.
"Concern took us to visit schools, health centres and community programmes in the rural villages, giving us a taste of the inspiring work they are doing. The project that stood out the most for me was an irrigation scheme that we visited at Mpamantha in the Nkhotakota district. When we arrived at the project, we were welcomed by crowds of women, singing and dancing in the traditional African style. It was clear to all of us that these people were extremely poor, living in poorly constructed buildings with no electricity and surviving off the very basics of life, but it was striking how optimistic and happy they were. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming, and if you waved someone would always wave back.
"Their sense of hope for the future was infectious as they led us around the fields of maize and explained the workings of the irrigation scheme. The plan for the project was simple: water was pumped manually from a local source using foot pumps and then carried to the land in hoses. From there it flowed through channels that had been dug out and watered all of the crops. This allowed the villagers to successfully grow maize, sweet potato and even some tomatoes.
"Throughout our week we got to see and learn more and more about projects such as this and the influence they are having. We visited a nursery for HIV/Aids orphans and a centre for malnourished children, and saw how both the locals and Concern were striving to take care of them.
"We even got to taste some of the traditional foods and saw some of Africa's natural beauty when we went on safari and had the unforgettable experience of seeing a herd of elephants lumber across the land as the sun set in the distance.
"It truly was the trip of a lifetime and brought reality to the issues we all hear about at home. Although Malawi is a third-world country, we are not worlds apart. The people are just like you and me and the issues are just as real as if they were happening here in Ireland. The progress Concern has made truly gives hope for the future, but there's still a lot we have left to do and learn.
"Our visit to Malawi opened our eyes to so much more in the developing world and we will always remember what can only be described as 'the warm heart of Africa'.
