Last day of training with the National Trainers

Hey guys,

Change of plan!! Surprise surprise :) We are still in Lilongwe and are traveling on to the next place tomorrow morning instead. We're going to be getting a lift with some of the guide leaders who live in the town. So it's going to take 2 1/2 hours instead of 5 hours on a National bus! So will be alot better and more comfortable.

So to give you an update of our mad 48 hours as its been pretty packed!!

We did training yesterday morning on WAGGGS and their mission, goals and vision and some communication activities. We taught the ladies how to make vases from plastic bottles.

In the afternoon we finished early due to campfire preparation but while waiting we were invited to a traditional Malawian bridal shower for the daughter of one of the national trainers. All of the trainers and GOLD team went along on the back of pick up trucks (great fun!!) and joined in the festivities. It was quite an experience to see their culture. We did lots of dancing and had to give money which is traditional at the ceremony. Kirstie, Ruth and Emily were given roses and had to go and dance up the front with some other ladies and we had to give money to the couple but got to keep the roses! This is another Malawian tradition. All the money collected over the evening goes towards the wedding. It was amazing!

We went back to HQ where we set up our tent for the night and then had a campfire with the ladies. We did even more singing and dancing and had roasted sweet potatoes over the fire which were delicious!! We eventually climbed into our tents.

This morning we started training and did more communication activities and finished off activities on the history of Guiding and WAGGGS. We finished with a closing ceremony where we gave each of the ladies a friendship knot badge as a present. They really enjoyed the training and said they got a lot out of it.

So now we have a well needed evening to relax and the day tomorrow after arriving to rest before starting the next lot of training on Wednesday.

Lots of love,
Team Malawi x