Sunday Funday

Today’s Theme: “I Can Think Critically and Creatively to Develop My Country”

Today began with a rousing sunrise game of football on the Kamuzu Acadamy grounds. After showering and eating breakfast (read: half a loaf of bread), students gathered for their first activity. The grounds echoed with cheers from Owls, Herons, Eagles, and Finches as each flock played charades and team-building games. 

Energy remained high for the next session: critical thinking. Peace Corps Education Volunteer, Madam Brooke Marshall, challenged student groups of nine to think critically and creatively to solve problems and she sparked a discussion on Malawian-led development vs. Foreigner-led development in Malawi. One student rallied his peers in an impassioned speech that they are the future of Malawi; the classroom shook with hoots and caws in agreement.

Next, students gathered for a Leadership Panel comprised of a Member of Parliament (MP), Nurse, Secondary School Headmaster, and Engineer.  Each successful Malawian shared their stories of educational and professional development with the camp students. Members on the panel have overcome obstacles that campers face as they maneuver through the education system and work toward their professional aspirations. Panel members gave tips on goal setting for success, highlighting the importance of having vision, discipline, patience, and resilience. 

“The brain is not made to simply hold mucus; it is made to think and to think big!”
- The Honorable MP Kazombo

“The sky is not the limit. You are your limit. It is not about where you are from or at which school you will take your exam, but it is about what you want to be for yourself.”
- Headmaster Nkhoma

“Your decisions are critical…some things won’t work as you hope [but] there are opportunities to take you where you want to go…be patient, and keep moving forward.” 
- Engineer Madam Mumba

Powerful pieces of guidance left the students feeling ‘so fine’ and empowered to be leaders in their own lives and the lives of others.  After lunch, everyone performed another, much-improved Macarena. Jake Hojnacki, Education PCV, led the next session on HIV/AIDS, as the epidemic is a major obstacle to health and development across Malawi.  He focused not only on the biology of HIV/AIDS and prevention and mitigation practices, but he also used interactive activities to illustrate the virus’ impact on the individual, community, and national economy. 

Students were broken into gendered groups for further questions and condom demonstrations, which were highly educational and incredibly entertaining.

The last session of the day Environment PCV, Stuart Jones, presented novel ideas to improve soil health in Malawi.  Sir Jones emphasized microorganism presence, mulching, and organic compost as key practices to ensure healthy soil and thus, increased agricultural productivity.

Dinner was followed by an evening of romance and tragedy.  The MSCE includes detailed questions about the story of Romeo and Juliet, so the evening’s activities revolved around the drama.  First, our very own Physical Science teachers Sir Andrew Datu and Madam Tally Levitz performed an adapted, ‘Malawianized’ version of the classic play.  Not only are Sir Datu and Madam Levitz skilled in subject switch-ups (Physical Science and the Arts), they are also masters of reversing gender roles—Tally nailed it as Romeo, and Andrew lit up the stage as Juliet. After a riotous performance, students settled in to their seats for a screening of the newest ‘Romeo and Juliet’ movie. For many, the occasion marked a first trip to the 'theatre.'

During reflection time, each bird group discussed the day’s sessions and activities as they related to the theme of the day. Students recognized and articulated their individual and collective responsibly to use their personal strengths, skills, and knowledge for the development and betterment of their communities across Malawi.  Students had the opportunity to share their ‘highs’ and ‘lows’, and many students commented on the impact the Malawian Panel members had on them.

“Today is the first day I spoke to a woman who is going for a degree.”

“I met my role model today.”

“I know that Malawians will develop Malawi.”

“We are too full” was a common grievance, but counselors, JCs, and coordinators agree that if this is the most significant ‘low’ for students, that Camp must be going wonderfully. As one of my barn owls wrote for a poetry event tomorrow, “Camp Sky loves us like Romeo loves Juliet."  Here’s to hoping tomorrow will be equally as impactful on students’ lives!