World Refugee Day

June 20th 2008 was World Refugee Day and we were lucky enough to be invited to celebrate at a refugee camp 40 minutes North of Linlongwe. We took a mini-bus with 8 other Canadians that are contracting with WUSC. WUSC has a program where they send approx 18 refugees to do their University studies in Canada every year. They are chosen 2 years in advance from a group of over 300, and must immediately begin studies in English and French. We got to go to their school to meet all of them, and then they showed us around the refugee camp - population of approximately 95,000 (you wouldn't believe how small it actually was in space... perhaps the size of harrison park for all of you from Owen sound. That's not including the bush there but containing 95,000 people, WOW)

I think that the majority of the students coming to canada were around our ages, only two females, the rest males, and were from many different countries for example; Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, and the guy that showed me through the village was from Burundi. I will tell you more about him later. The school consisted of one room but there were desks which is considered rare. They have several books but are in need of a bookshelf, so all of us Canadians each contributed 500 MWK ($3.50 CAD) which is enough for them to get a bookshelf to hold their books. They were so happy.

So Misago, the guy that showed me the camp, was displaced in 1994 from Burundi. He then lived in Uganda until 2006 which is when he was displaced to Malawi. He has been here ever since. He is considered a lucky one because he has his refugee status card. When he left Burundi in 1994 he lost track of his parents and siblings and hasn't heard from them since. He has no idea if they are even alive. I cannot imagine the feeling. While in Uganda he did 3 years of University (on scholarhsip because he is insanely smart - my words not his) so he is pursuing a degree in law once in Canada. He hasn't chosen his university yet, but WUSC only supports them for one year so during his year he hopes to find a sponsor to continue is studies and would like to stay in Canada forever if possible.

He had some really funny questions about Canadians - like why do we even get married if everyone divorces, and if a white women will ever love him.... it was really cute..... I didn't hesitate to throw in that I have a boyfriend... hehe. I also showed him some pictures from Canada and when he saw the snow he was horrified - he thinks having to wear all the clothes we wear in Winter looks so funny.

I was very fortunate in that Joyce (the women from WUSC who we have been spending lots of time with) was close by to us as we walked through the rows and rows of huts separated by grass fences that when he offered to show me his house, she came with me. I wouldn't have accepted otherwise, I've learned here there is no such thing as being too careful. As white people we are a huge target for Malawians that want money.... which is pretty much all. Anyway his house was two rooms, one where he slept which I didn't see, and one maybe 5 feet by six feet and you had to crouch where he kept his desk and newspaper clippings of white women and soccer players. Everyone here is obsessed with soccer. He also had cd's hanging from the ceiling as decorations. Joyce took a picture of me at the desk but these computers can't take pictures. As soon as I find one I will put some photos online.

We then went to the celebration for world refugee day and were treated like celebrities. There was a covered shelter for all of us to sit under along with the "important" people from Malawi, UN, World food fun, etc.) Then all the refugees had to sit under the sun on the dirt in a large semi circle and there was entertainment inside the circle, although they all faced us on the chairs. There were lots of songs and dances (all traditional for their tribe or country they came from) as well as an acrobatics act - they were incredible - better than anything I've ever seen in Canada!!

It was such an incredible day - one I will remember for the rest of my life!

We leave for Lake Malawi again tomorrow (Salima District) and will be there for the week for culture and language training. We started here in Lilongwe last week and learned sooooo much about Malawian culture - the differences are unreal. For example, when having a meal, the elders eat first (they get the best cut of meat) then the parents (mother included) get to eat the rest and the children must eat the scraps (directly off the bone). It made me think of how in Canada our parents (especially mothers) always put kids before everything else. We also learned how to greet cheifs in the villages - we have to get down on our knees and shake their hand until they let go (which may be a long time). We also learned that when girls and boys are 12 or 13 they go through initiation, which is a process of becoming "an adult". The ceremony is a week long and it confirmed by a man being chosen from the community to have sex with the girl. The boys do not have to be confirmed in that way. Both girls and boys do however also have to be circumcised at this time. All of our jaws dropped in disbelief.

Another thing we could not belive is that when a women loses her husband, a man from the village is chosen to have sex with her which is meant to rid her body of our husbands ghosts. she has no choice whether this is done or who the man is.

I have been oddly in control of my emotions here (seriously, I've only cried once) because amid the poverty and all the stories (which mind you are considered normal as they are part of their culture) Malawians are the happiest people I have ever met. It is rare to see them not smiling. They have been so welcoming and are so interested in talking to "white people". I was told by my boss it's because they all have such wild fantasies of how life is in North America, and Europe. I don't know about a fantasy but I definitely know that i have never appreciated being born and raised in Canada more than I do now. I will never complain about "nothing to eat" in the fridge when there is tons to have just nothing I "feel like", and would definitely like to continue supporting the organization I'm working for YOUDAO (youth development and advancement organization) throughout my life.

I don't have anymore time to write today, and I'm not sure if I will have internet ever in Salima, but know that I am well, and will write another post as soon as I am able.

I hope you are all enjoying your summers and make sure to send an email if you'd like - it is so nice to hear from people at home.

xo Michelle