Today Matt killed a chicken! As health volunteers, we have been learning about nutrition in Malawi and today was cooking day. We had 3 mbaula stoves, 1 paraffin stove and 3 fires going. I made banana bread in a pot with charcoal below and above it. We also had banana and papaya jam, a stew with potatoes and avocados and, of course, chicken! I thought I was okay with seeing a chicken being killed - and I was in theory - but in in reality, not so much. I will be paying someone to do that for me in the future!
One of our favorite topics here is food and nutrition. The main food that is grown in Malawi is corn. People make the most money (which doesn't seem like much) from corn and they eat a ton of it. The corn is not very nutrient-rich and the food they make - called nsima - is made of corn that has been pounded and sifted until it is flour. There are basically no nutrients left. But, the people love it. Nsima is a part of almost every meal.
The thing that I find really interesting though is that we have been told that corn is not a traditional Malawian crop. However, it has become such a staple that it is now part of the culture here. So, what is our role as volunteers when we know that nsima may not be the healthiest option?
I am super excited to start a garden where I can grow diverse veggies year-round. Hopefully, by showing that other foods can grow throughout the year, others will see the benefits. Some of the foods we cooked today included all the food groups in one meal and were familiar to Malawian tastes! Change is slow, so I feel that if I can educate even a few people, maybe that is enough. It is a start.
Yesterday, at the district hospital I saw a woman and her baby who were so malnourished that they were literally skin and bones. There is a lot of work to do here that goes beyond arguments about food and culture. I hope that I am able to help.
* Thanks to my friend J. J. for posting my blogs. I am at homestay for another week and a half in a village without electricity or running water. Love to all and please send letters and lots of chocolate!!
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