Misc.

I have my last and final address change:

Rachel Kranch
C/O Thyolo District Assembly
Private Bag 5
Thyolo, Malawi

I attended a college graduation on Wednesday in Blantyre. It was for the College of Malawi and the President of Malawi, Dr. Bingu attended and delivered the commencement speech. I dressed up in a white shirt and a chitenje (cloth) with Dr. Bingu's messages on it - which is the uniform of the female civil servents. By working at the District Assembly, I am a civil servent.

We waited at the entrance to the college to greet the President and Vice President by dancing for them (well, I attempted to dance). Then we moved down to the soccer field where the graduation took place. The speeches were long, but interesting. The president and vice president of the college praised the Dr. Bingu for supported education but bemoaned the fact that once graduated, there was no work for their students. So they asked for his assistance. Dr. Bingu didn't really respond except to agree that it was a problem.

It was more of a spectacle than college graduations in the U.S. There were cirus tents and a red carpet for the President and all of the graduates. It was a great experience. I do have pictures and I will try to post them soon.

I have yet to officially start working. I do have a meeting with the District Nursing Officer this afternoon to discuss how I can combine my experience with nutrition, maternal and child health and HIV prevention with her office and the District Hospital. She seemed excited to have me come so hopefully I will have more news on that later.