Water Wellness

On July 20^th, demonstrators across Malawi took to the streets in protest of President Bingu wa Mutharika’s current regime and the growing issues of foreign exchange, fuel shortages, and falling tobacco prices to name a few. I stayed home. Frantically refreshing news and twitter feeds from the comfort of a friend’s house, we watched in rapt attention as a country renowned for being peaceful experienced violence for the first time in recent memory.

But, because I was not participating, it was an oddly detached experience for me. Although I care deeply about this country and its people, not being a citizen places me in a very different place during a population’s struggle to access their democratic rights. No matter how you look at it, I remain a visitor in this country.

The demonstrations felt closer to home for me when I returned to the Karonga District Water Office last week, my base location last year, to find the burnt out hulk of a pickup truck in a collapsed garage and smashed windows. When some of the demonstrators had turned to looting, I’m told they attached the office in an attempt to raid maize and beans stores in a shed at the back. I was shocked. This public institution supporting rural access to water, chronically under resourced and understaffed, is now even further behind with the loss of a vehicle.

The country is changing rapidly and, with more demonstrations planned for August 17^th, the future remains uncertain. Our team is leaving for a retreat in Zambia, putting me in the embarrassing situation of having to explain to friends and colleagues why I’m fleeing a country that I dearly do not want to abandon at this time. But the decision is out of my hands. I will watch, again with rapt attention, from the outside looking in, frantically refreshing twitter feeds and calling friends as the next chapter in Malawi’s history begins.

For those following the events, dadakim at the haba na haba blog has been providing excellent updates, and the live twitter feed (even if you don’t have an account) can be followed by searching #Malawi at www.trendsmap.com