Wednesday 20 July 2016

Day 5: Playground building

The comments from the blog are read to us at meal times. We all really look forward to this as it lifts our spirits. If you haven't commented - or if you have - please keep them coming! We like to hear what's going on back home. Any love island updates? 

Today we divided into two groups, one group went back to the playground and the other was building the toilet block by the school. At the playground we have really out hoed ourselves; the land is so flat on the playground and the structures for see-saws and swings are up. 

The toilets are coming along well too, most of the brick laying is done already. We are excited for some of the lighter tasks when the cement mixing, landscaping, and sand carrying is done. 

We are all starting to miss things back home; we have had tears over families, boyfriends, and even over McDonald's! 

Sending love and begging for more banterous comments,

Liv and Tabbi on behalf of Team Malawi. 

PS. Remember the banana Vicky ate?

She's allergic. (Only a mild reaction! - says Inspire Leader Josh) 





46 comments:

  1. Hi Malawi team! Sounds like a fantastic trip, hope you're all enjoying yourselves. Mathia- sending lots of love and maths hugs especially to Vicky- hope she's recovered from her allergic reaction! Claudia- I LOVE YOUR HAT pls keep the photos of it coming
    You're all doing an amazing thing out there and you're all so amazing, we are all reading the blog daily!
    England is incredibly hot right now all of us polar bears are burning badly.
    Lots of love xxxx

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  3. Lucy Rockliffe20 July 2016 at 14:38

    love island update: the Love Island Heading Home episode was SO intense omg be excited!!!!!!
    ps don't miss McDonalds- I had a mcflurry today and it was the biggest disappointment ever, there were literally only 2 smarties in it!?!? What a disgrace.
    Mucho love, Lucy Rock xxxxxxx

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  4. Niamh mcs...... fab photo of you with the hacksaw! These comments are just like the letters from home on I'm a celebrity! We are so proud of you and your friends at what you are doing for the school..... you all look like you are working so hard you should be proud of yourselves....... but Niamh......OMG ..... who is with who in Nashville!!!!! love and hugs Mum, dad, Ailis and Taylor! xxxx

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  5. (I tried to comment yesterday about the banana- Vicky is your throat okay? :') ) You're all doing some fantastic stuff I'm really impressed... and hey, everything will be waiting for you when you get back home so enjoy the labour as best you can, it sounds incredible

    - Isabel

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  6. Hello Mrs T (sammy pea)
    Hope u r doing ok without us , missing you so much , nothing phone like works in my life so I have hacked jacks Google acc !
    It all looks great what you are all doing and such hard conditions. I look forward too new pictures daily , love you lots xx graham X

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  7. Ps I have set up my only acc now so no more hacking , catch up tomorrow x

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  8. Niamh McS - I pick the Pedal Steel up on Sunday. That is all. Henry x

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  9. Gosh, what a lot of ground you've covered in so many ways! It all seems to be coming together very successfully, well done all of you! We wonder what kind of temperatures you are working in there? We now know why Vicky never ate bananas before - her biological senses were saying, "No! It won't agree with you!" But glad her allergy was not too serious. That homesickness feeling will probably fade when you are busy again and you have to focus on the work in hand. We miss you too hugely, remember! Impressed with the cooks preparing the meal over the cauldron. :-) Mary Berry eat your heart out! Do you take it in turns to cook for the rest of the team and what is it you are making and eating each day? Love you lots, you lovely gems, from the Taylors in Cornwall. xxxxxxxxx

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  10. Good to hear everyone's having fun. Lara you better be writing and I expect a report on what you've eaten as well. I miss you lots and I love you to the moon and back. P.S Sorry for being gross but it's all in the hopes that you'll get teased and that makes me laugh

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  11. Hi Tabbi,
    I think we have all been doing (well I have) the very British thing of queuing - not wanting to comment too much in case it seems pushy and letting others have a go! All that changes now though - I will comment every day and I'm sure everyone will be positively bombarded with 'keep going' messages as we are all so very proud. Although you all will get low sometimes, what you are doing is amazing and really helping and think of the happiness you are spreading. I bet by the end of the week you will all be able to carry a whole bucket of sand up the hill alone (but maybe not on your head as you have such a little pin one)!
    I have also just text Elliott to ask why he hasn't commented. He said he has been emailing you as he thought you said you had access to them. The bad news about that is you have a stupid boyfriend, but the good news is you will have some lovely sloppy messages to read when you get home! I have given a polite request to him to comment now and also send the link to the fam so they can get messages to you. I apologies to everyone in advance for anything Uncle Frank has to say!
    I will ask George to write to my friend Chris to see what he has to say about homesickness which should be interesting. His answer will no doubt involve moles and babies and hairy mothers!
    Why not open the first top secret envelope now and maybe, if you think it necessary, the surprise treat you have for everyone? If you can please let me know how challenge 1 is going.
    Are you craving a cheese toastie yet? Whenever I have been away juicing or on that dreadful cycling trip that is all I wanted - and I never usually eat cheese toasties. Now about that poo chart - lets make it interesting - shall we start a sweepstake on who doesn't go for the longest and they and the winning sweepstake holder gets a prize?!! I feel I'm on to a winner with you as you can never go when away from home anyway!! TMI?

    Ed completed his DofE but had about 7 gushing nose bleeds in one afternoon. He also only took his collection of black hoodies and tracky bottoms and we had a teeny heatwave so he was very hot and red when he got back.

    I will write again very soon. I love you so much toffee-toes. You are my favourite daughter!

    Mummy xxxxx

    PS Here is a Love Island update using their own language: the final was really niiiiice, like totally, 100% bruv.



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  12. Hi Claudia and everyone,

    I'm glad you are all in one piece, just! When I saw yesterday's photos was immediately struck with joy and relief that my beloved.....gardening gloves are working hard (sawing yesterday I saw, ha-ha). Please continue to give the gloves a wonderful stay in Malawi, and I look forward to having them home safely!

    Seriously though, Make the best of each day and identify and look forward to the high points- like getting to wear my gloves and eating the best porridge, I think it was, south of the Equator.

    Looking forward to hearing what my gloves have been up to! Work them hard and give them a good time -same goes for you too!

    Love from cloudy SE England,

    Dxx/Roger Salwey (glove owner)

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  13. I hope Vicky is "Peeling" better today

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    1. I'm hope she can find a "bunch" of other things to eat.

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    2. It all seems a bit slippery to us. Okay, okay, we can hear all the groans from here. Grandma and Granddad xxxxxxx

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  14. Hey Martha! We are enjoying reading the blog as much as you all are hearing it I'm sure. It is very strange you not being here - even if you spend most of your time in your room "working"! Jesse only has 2 days left at primary school - it was the gungeing and water fight yesterday. Staff vs. pupils rounders match today and I can take part this time - he's going down!!! My motto - show no mercy to 11 year olds! I hope you are enjoying this challenge even if it's tough at times. I can picture you heaving buckets of sand around, not your forte I imagine! We will send the link to Granny and Grandad and Nonna - you know she loves a good "blob"!! I'm not sure Grandad B will be able to work out the technology but I'm sure he is thinking of you every time he yawns..... Love you lots and hugs to you all xxx

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  15. Hi Muffin, missing you loads, its an awesome thing you guys are doing, v proud! Exciting news... Boots spent most of the night talking to a girl at the party last Saturday, but I didn't tell you that. x

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  16. Greetings Team Malawi! So sorry to hear the Nutella has already run out but pleased to hear and see that everyone's manual skills are improving! News from the outside world: the Russian athletes are on the verge of being banned from the Rio Olympic Games for state sponsored doping, Sam Allardyce is to be the next England Football manager, all Boris Johnson's rude comments about foreign leaders are being raised at every meeting he is having with foreign leaders, 180 000 people have joined the Labour Party in the last two days to vote in the leadership elcction, the government is now recommending that everyone takes a vitamin D supplement from October to March (Claudia!) and the weather is now cloudy but still warm. On a personal note, Claudia, thanks for your birthday card and present - I had a lovely day with lunch with the girls and dinner with Mary and Chris and more celebrations planned today! Keep up the hard work everyone. Julie PS question for the geographers - why is the soil so red?

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  17. Hi Hannah and the team - we are on the beach at Selsey but following the blog and thinking of you all. Denbigh's, Mitchells and Miss Redding all send love to you all , great work team, well done xx

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  18. Ps my question for day: do the villagers speak English or are you learning the local lingo??

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  19. So glad to here everyone's doing well~ Vix babe hope you feel better soon! stalking this blog religiously for updates on the Mathia, me and gorgeous are thinking of you xoxo

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    1. also Vicky! (and any other mcr fans) they released a video after being inactive for three years that's just 34 seconds of a flag with their logo and then the date '23.9.16' flashes up and that's 10 years since black parade was released and people are speculating a reunion tour and it's all crazy and I thought you'd like to know

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    2. 'gorgeous' here, mathia please explain that nickname to those who think I sound very vain... i can confirm that we are indeed stalking this blog religiously and you'll have lots of group chat discussions about it to come back to! lots of love xxxx

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  20. The UK is HOT and uncomfortable.... The politicians are continuing to mess everything up....Theresa May frightens me.... more awful news from around the world.... etc etc
    But you guys are proof that goodness does exist (does it exist Tabbi? Tori?) Lots of love to you all xx (Hope Mrs T is behaving herself?)

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    1. Love that you are throwing philosophical questions at them from afar!!

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  21. Tabbi - Daddy can't post comments so he will send them to me and I'll post them. Here's his first:

    Yo Bitha!!!!!! Any more face planting???
    Sounds like you're having an amazing time - keep up the good work, lots of love Daddy xxx

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  22. OK. If Vicky is allergic to bananas:
    (a) that explains a lot
    (b) I now feel guilty for making her try them so often
    (c) If you do have tomatoes, scrap my idea from yesterday of trying them on her

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    1. Please make sure Lauren hears this as she is always making me try a tomato especially when I try to make her brother try new foods!xx

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  23. Ohh just had my first tears! Hope you don't mind me telling you! Love you lots my darling girl. Right onward and upward - Everyone is asking how your experiences are going my darling daughter. Can Josh take a group photo again as I would love to see the state of your hair after no hairbrush for a week! Really good to see your blog address is spreading. We may have to buy a new wardrobe for your birthday as I doubt anything will fit when you get home. C really missing J I hear and Charlie had a good report so we're set for the GCSE's ahead. Nix found a rat in her wheely bin and was told it would cost £25 to dispose of - can you guess what she did? Love you Lauren hugs to all your friends and hope you are outwitting the Mozzies?!

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  24. Message for Lauren Hogan
    Hope this gets to you as not sure what I am doing with this blogging, anyway just to say hope you are well and sounds like you all are having fun and doing great work keep it up.
    We are missing you loads here especially Sophie she is carrying doggy around a lot 😄
    Love the updates and hope you have not been attacked by the mozzies
    Lots of love Mum and Dad xx

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  25. Missing you so much Hannah and I can't wait for you to get back it's been so boring without you because I've realised I actually have no friends. Joe S

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  26. Great to see that you are all working hard on the playground and the toilet block. I'm sure the villagers are truly grateful for all your hard work. We were amused to see you all in safety/walking boots and having problems lifting the buckets with the villagers carrying on bearfoot. Life goes on as normal in the UK but you are experiencing something that most of us can only imagine. Enjoy every minute of it and if you have low moments, look at the smiles on the children's faces who can be happy with so much less than we all have and think about what is really important. Can you show some photos of the mealtimes, are you getting a taste for the food ? A regular group photo would be great so we can plot the transition as you adapt to your new surroundings. As we told you, there is life after Netflix

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  27. Hello Lou. No news from over here -- oh apart from the fact that Costa has been taken over by Starbucks (ha ha not really!) You are all doing such a fantastic job and should be really proud of yourselves. Hope the poo chart is filling up (ooh that conjurs up a strange image!) I hope the mozzies are staying away. We all love and miss lots xxx

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  28. Hey tabs, it's me
    Sorry I haven't managed to comment on here yet but I've been doing the emails each day like you said, even though apaz you can't even read them ����. So not much has really happened since you left, other than me finishing three seasons on Netflix, getting a load of sunburn in the 30 degrees that you're missing out on ;) and catching mad pokemon's. I've made sure I recorded the coming home episode of love island for you and it looks so beefy, you're gonna love it!!!
    I hope you're having a nice time and haven't fallen in the poo hole. I got your letter a day late ���� but it was still perfect xxxx
    Love you lots
    Ells xxx

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  29. Hi beth, it's the favourite child. Just wanting to make sure you know that I've done all the chores this week ... So it will be your turn when you get back! We have been to dad and mums side of the family and you being in Malawi is the only thing I've heard. Although I'm good at zoning out seeing I've got you as my sister. Seriously though it's been a lot quieter with you out the house. I'm looking forward to lots of laughs when you get back. See you soon Ewan
    P.s just read that the smell of live chicken can help protect against malaria. Though that might help!

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  30. Sue. Your Dad is well and enjoying the daily updates from the blog. Thinking of popping over to Malawi to escape the heat in Sevenoaks, love Bill

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  31. Dear Team Malawi. What a top effort, really impressive, proud that f you all and telling all in TW of your exploits. See, Issy L, you can live without Galaxy, Mac and Grey's Anatomy! No idea re Love Island but can update you on the Archers if you are desperate. Air waves full of domestic politics and Pokemon Go. Michelle Obama has done an awesome Carpool Karoke and the Courier somehow managed to forget to print a SKA story this week. Loving the updates, very much looking forward to a parade of the hats :) . Much love, From Lavensteins and Reads xx

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  32. Hi Niamh Mcsmiff . Looks like you and your pals are doing a great job .hope you are enjoying the hard work and not getting any blisters on your strumming fingers?? Harry is enjoying his NCS and Ollie has finished school now too. Not long till New York now.very proud of you all love the Drews xxx

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  33. Hi Niamh Mcsmiff . Looks like you and your pals are doing a great job .hope you are enjoying the hard work and not getting any blisters on your strumming fingers?? Harry is enjoying his NCS and Ollie has finished school now too. Not long till New York now.very proud of you all love the Drews xxx

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  34. Oh yes and the dog ate your phone.......x

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  35. Fantastic stuff girls. Can you believe it has been nearly a week since you left? Can't wait to see the final results. Olivia - your mum would have been so proud of you. And just to depress you I am finishing work tomorrow and will end up with a longer summer holiday than you! Love you lots x

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  36. Niamh C we don't want you to feel left out !!
    News from CONNELL clan ...
    Matt survived Xanthie! And is now in the Emerald Isle ! Soaking up the Rays ...
    Ed has been to see Jill you know what that's like Niamh !!
    Erin has had her ears pierced and your Dad managed to join the band at the Togs ball last Saturday!! However we did raise loads of money for the school ....!

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  37. Hi Tori and Malawi team
    So proud of you all - you are making a real difference.
    Alexander has been pointing Grandma & Grandad's patio in heat of 31 followed by lots of walks as he, Katie & Daddy are playing Pokemon go.

    I have been riding every day to keep the Dinnis' horses fit - they have been snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef after a couple of days of 35km bike rides - Hattie would MUCH prefer a horse!
    Few questions....
    Can you take a picture of the finished building that Katie worked on?
    Are you able to get paintings?
    Do you have a tick on the chart???
    Loads of love Ma, Pa, K & A xxx

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  38. Sanah Jaan missing you every minute. But dont want you to do the same. We are all fine and watching the blog very closely.
    Hope you are fine and enjoying the whole experience. Everyone at home is so proud of you. Keep up the spirits and the good work

    Hope you are reading the late comments from the previous day. Would love to see you in some more photos.

    Amit mama has brought their new pup home today. The 'Deadly Dudley'. Apparently he's very cute, cuddling upto Nani and following
    Them around

    Take good care Of yourself. Lots n lots of love and hugs. Xxx

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