Oh Freddy

This has been a hard one, moments that were surreal with the contrast of those who have and have not. The ones outside the wall. And getting on with it. 

With cyclone Freddy making his way ever closer I cracked open a jigsaw. A bit later I went for a cuppa at Kelsey's and stupidly didn't take a coat as it wasn't raining as I set out. Drenched in the short walk back down the hill. Then a quick trip to the supermarket for lunch supplies for Sunday's rehearsal and a night out with the ladies. Back in time for an all too quick catch up with the Wagner's on line and then bed. 

Sunday began with intermittent power and, frustratingly, worrying about if school will open. I took the cholera vaccine that BigA had for me. Truly disgusting. In the school show rehearsal and the power issues were very frustrating. The students were amazing, carrying on despite the power cuts and the continuous rain. As we did our best to keep going the news about the cyclone became more clear and the decision that school would be shut was agreed. 

That evening we had no power or solar but we did have a fully charged battery pack and our fire, food in our bellies and company to make it feel cosy and safe. As Monday rolled around I was increasingly conscious of the anniversaries in this week. It doesn't matter how many years pass, it always feels sad and strange. Stranger still to be stuck home with heavy and what felt like endless rain. The garden was totally waterlogged and I saw how the seedlings will drown - knowing that this will impact thousands of families here as their crop stores will probably now rot or plants will wash away. I know that houses have fallen down and cholera will increase. Roads have washed away and bridges have collapsed. Goods won't get in or out. This country doesn't have enough to support it when these annual tragedies strike. There are no reserves. As a relatively affluent part of the community we have been doing what we can. Given blankets and food, sending what we can. We in contrast are basically fine, fed, dry and warm. Walls and trees have fallen down across campus but we are all safe. I found it rather distasteful that two people got in touch to sell luxury items during a state of emergency. Women I know are very wealthy. On Tuesday there was confirmation that schools in our region were to be shut the whole week. We hadn't planned to open to students on Wednesday anyway as there is a lot of water damage at school. I guess we're used to this now. But this means the school show has moved and various other things will be as a consequence. None that really matter though. 

Wednesday, as it was Conrad's anniversary I knew I would need to focus to start positive. Most staff got in and we could check that people were ok. Set up online lessons and generally do bits and pieces. It was good to see people were coping and despite some bad circumstances, doing what they could. A, BigA and I went out for lunch, we had to get off site, and although it was still raining it felt almost normal in the city center. Life has had to carry on, those who are able to get to work have because they won't get paid if they don't. Sad and tragic stories continue to be passed around and the overwhelming feeling of helplessness is hard, the money donated and food and clothes given are being given as soon as possible. But there is just so much need. The total number of displaced people is hard to calculate and this is just the start. Thursday felt like more of the same, no water but power in the morning and then busy with sorting and getting school things done. Life has to continue. 

As the rain had diminished BigA set off to buy supplies and take them to Chilewni. He was near to tears though as the need all around Blantyre was clearly so acute, and I could see how helpless he felt. We have given what we can for now, as many clothes as we can spare and things like plates and cutlery, soap and other basics. We have probably given more than we may have done if we weren't leaving in 4 months. There are things we may have sold or given away in July but the need is now so we have happily passed those things on. We've spent the generous donation given to us by a lady who always comes to mum with a cheque. 

Earlier in the week I had had to postpone a call with a Headteacher and so on Thursday I headed home for the replanned meeting, only to see the power had once again gone off. I was relieved that the solar lasted for it. Very nice man so I applied. We'll see. And Friday, well that was a day of difficult conversations, delivering bad news, and I've caught BigA's cold. Yuck. No water and it still rained. 

Today BigA is setting off to ferry pregnant women from one shelter at a school to a hospital. Having the 4x4 that can cope on the muddy and extremely worn 'roads' means he can get people places that the mini busses can't. He really is amazing. 

And in all this tragedy we are delighted with the happy news that A has been accepted to 2 of the colleges that she has applied to and so has Millie. And there is still time to hear about the other ones. They are both getting very excited about their London life to come.