'Reunion on the Water' is a twice-monthly blog series where those who have participated in past trips to Malawi share their stories and experiences. Our mission is to provide clean water to rural schools in the country. Read Part 2 Here
The Take-Aways
Young girls use a borehole well in Ndonda.
So the answers to my big question – how has this experience changed you? – while varied, found themselves along similar threads of thought. Most, if not all, the members of the group were at some point or another unable to truly capture in words how they felt they had changed. Many came back to America with a certain feeling of loss or frustration, after seeing and experiencing such a different way of life and then returning to their lives seemingly as normal, as though nothing had happened. But it had – their perspectives and mindsets, what I believe are the most important drivers of our everyday lives, were fundamentally reoriented. Emily explained that the way things were put in perspective manifested in viewing issues as becoming lesser, where there is a larger context to see life in. Alyssa agreed with this sentiment, saying she noticed now how she feels we have a tendency to make small problems seem so big, that we often take things for granted considering how blessed we are. This was a common epiphany for the group; Tom added in the same vein that after the trip certain things seem like much less of a big deal, and he now takes more care to think about what he does in a day, how he spends his money, and how he lives his life as a whole.
First Image: Paul Treffert greets learners at Ndonda;
Second Image: Alyssa Lawry is all smiles on the road to Kamwala.
It was apparent to me that the trip put a better perspective on what matters in life – less frivolity, less superficiality, less materialism, and more family, community, kindness, generosity, and gratitude. Shannon expressed the issue of gratitude as one of her main takeaways; in all their visits, the group discussed how overwhelming the gratitude towards them felt, and Shannon pointed out this potential ‘disparity of gratitude between cultures’. The group’s shock regarding the gratitude given to them, she thought, was more indicative of a lack of gratitude in American culture rather than a surplus of gratitude in Malawian culture. Perhaps American culture could implement the Malawian attitude of gratitude – more expression, more communication, more connection.
Emily, Shannon, and Charlotte pose with new friends from Kaluluma.
For Charlotte, as the second generation of GRO, the experience made her rethink why she was invested in the nonprofit. As the younger sister of an original GRO member, the daughter of a GRO mentor, and the granddaughter of the Wash for Life founder, it seems only natural that she would take up the helm on the legacy of GRO. In her reflection, the trip gave her a more grounded purpose; as she is now the only second generation member of GRO to have visited Malawi, it also gives Charlotte new insights to help direct and drive the group with.
Bridget and Charlotte Bullard use the borehole well in Ndonda.
For Ethan Kapelka, who went on the 2023 Malawi trip, hearing stories from the 2024 trip gave him the chance to revisit his experience. The biggest question that emerged for him was about how we qualify and quantify poverty. This is because for most Americans, seeing the lifestyles of Malawian communities would immediately register as observing poverty; but in Ethan’s experience, the communities never felt impoverished because their attitudes did not lend to that perspective. Emily agreed with this reflection, saying that she noticed it was more about the financial situation of the community, rather than the individual family. I think for all the travelers, it brought up questions about stereotypes and biases surrounding the idea of poverty from the American viewpoint. Can we really consider poverty in Malawi the same as poverty in America when the culture, finances, and lifestyles are so different? And do we, as Amercians, perhaps consider less materialistic lifestyles to be impoverished because our attitudes toward money, housing, community, and social mobility are much more negative and pressurized? The discussion didn’t necessarily provide clarified answers, but it had me pondering the same as everyone else – and asking questions when our perspective is challenged is a good first step.
Papa Steve greeting the headteacher of Kang'oma School (our second chance school).
There are, of course, complex layers to these kinds of questions, as well as for each individual reflection. It is the natural course of enlightenment and learning that comes from traveling between locations and cultures. If the group was leaving without things to think about, then the impact might not have been as monumental. Aside from the aforementioned revelations and lessons, especially regarding the differences, the biggest takeaway for everyone was about what the Malawians and the Americans shared. As Bridget had expressed to me long before the reunion, “it was about knowing, really and truly, how much of a partnership this is”. What Bridget means by this is that we – GRO, WASH for Life – have always viewed our operations and friendships as a partnership, but being able to visit and discuss business in person gave that understanding a whole new brilliance. As the travelers were exceptionally grateful for our friends’ generosity and hospitality, Paul relayed that the Malawian Elders expressed their enormous respect for the fact that the Americans showed up. When the group gathered in Malawi, everyone stood as peers, working together towards a goal for the common good. The trip was about building community and strengthening friendships even more than it was about seeing the wells. And based on what I heard at the reunion table, there was one place in particular where that magic swelled – the Kapiri school.
Learners at the Kamwala School wave to the camera.
To Be Continued... Read Part 4 Here
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