This document provides an overview of the author's experience as a Peace Corps volunteer in Malawi from 2008 to 2010. It describes daily life in a Malawian village, including tasks like fetching water, cooking, gardening, and playing games. It also discusses the local Chichewa language, common occupations like fishing and farming, staple foods like nsima, cultural dances, transportation challenges, community projects, and health issues like malaria. The author conveys their fondness for Malawi and the people, saying 27 months was not enough time and they would volunteer again if given the opportunity.

1. MalawiThe Warm Heart of Africa A Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Kirk Longstein 2008 - 2010

2. What is Peace Corps? Learning, sharing and exchanging cultural values of America with Malawians Exchanging technical knowledge with host country nationals Learning, Sharing and exchanging cultural values of Malawians with Americans Why did you join? Be the Change you want to see in the world! Curiosity of something I had only heard about Adventure!!

3. Where is Malawi?

4. “What’s Malawi Like?” Living in the village…. ….We wake up, get water and start cooking tea

5. Most days are full of chores… ……Pounding maize, cooking Nsima, and always working in the garden

6. We Always love to play games! Playing Bao, practicing soccer, Singing and dancing… …running and jumping

7. For children, most of the days were spent at school…. …Books, Friends and Sports yet most children do not finish middle school.

8. …there is always time to chat… …Anytime of day, we chat about the weather & crops… politics , religion & life…

9. Before the day was over… I always had a new friend.

10. How did you “Chat?” Chichewa is a Bantu language spoken in Zambia & Malawi MuliBwanji? Nanga Ine, Ndilibwino. Zikomo Ndatakozakubwerakwanu Kufotazkozera zamoyowatu ku Malawi

11. What did people do for work? Along the lake shore people relied on fish for food and for sale. …But you would have a hard time finding a Malawian that doesn’t farm.

12. What did you Eat? Twice a day, everyday…. Nsimandindiwo

13. Cultural Dances The Gule wan Kulu are Chewa dancers invoked by spirits of the graveyard… Their dance expresses socially significant people , places and events The Chitimeka are Tonga woman celebrating the elegance and grace of womanhood.

14. Public Transport A planed trip to town meant cold drinks and good food …But was it worth it? FACT: The most dangerous place in Malawi …the tarmac roads.

15. My House

16. What do people ask about America? What type of food do you eat? What do you do for fun? What do people do for work? How many are in your family? Where do you pray?

17. What is Community Based Natural Resource Management? Providing the incentives to conservation by exposing people to creative uses of resources in their own back yards.

18. Community Health services As Peace Corps Volunteers we all have a responsibility to educate towards public Health FACT: Malaria kills more people in Malawi than HIV/AIDS FACT: A better nutritional diet can prevent most common illness

19. Zaqwana! My experiences in Malawi were filled with beautiful places and beautiful people. 27months was not long enough. If I had the opportunity, I would do it again.