1 year in Malawi
I have visited several sites including Eva Demaya Centre in Rumphi, Never Ending Food in Lilongwe, Kumbali Lodge in Lilongwe and Masophenya Permaculture Project in Cape Maclear.
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| I have been documenting and researching about durable sustainable local architecture in Malawi, note the water trenches that work with the land around the outside of the dwelling, Eva Demaya Centre |
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| I have learned about using the waste efficiently, recycling weeds, mulch and waste to make a good compost, Never Ending Food |
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| Working with nature, Kumbali Lodge |
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| Elephant pump, water pump made out of recycled materials Never Ending Food |
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| Outdoor shower cubicles made out of weaved reeds, Kumbali Lodge |
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| Well designed spaces using local materials and skills, Kumbali Lodge |
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| Observing the collection of chicken poo which is then fermented for 2 weeks with water and used as rich fertiliser, Masophenya Permaculture Project |
On top of my interest and research into sustainable development to learn and improve my design ideas as the architect for The Landirani Trust, Sam's Village ( an eco training village). I enjoy life in other ways. I live for the people's energy. I constantly gain excitement from everyone around me. The levels of fitness and freedom especially with the younger generation is really unique and special from any other countries I have been to.
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| Some days I experienced the more intense Malawi life |
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| Other times I had a peaceful village life |
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| England |
1 month in UK
I do admit the break in the UK from my intensely busy Malawi life was
refreshing. People did not stare or shout hello to gain a reaction. The
millions of crowds of people in London just walked head down which made some
even bump into me in the busiest tourist spots. It was claustrophobic, until I
reached the harbours and coffee shops where my mum wanted to chat and rest. Any
conversation was interesting with any friends and family as I tried to engage
back into the priorities and feelings of what they had been through in the past
year.
As I left Malawi I didn’t forget my numerous excitable
friends that I would cherish, and some humble true people who really looked
after me and were my new family. I always travelled the UK by bicycle as public
transport was too expensive for my Malawi wage and a car even more so! Some
people in Malawi still think I’m lying about this and believe at the age of 28
I would crawl back to my parents or sisters asking for money. I couldn’t think
of anything worse, especially after my decision to move far away and create my
own independent life. Families support each other here in Malawi. The eldest
child would work and provide money to the younger siblings, some people tried
and succeeded to be independent but others would struggle battling with the
lack of economy.
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| My dad and I cycling in Exmouth, Devon |
I love cycling and I often like to drag people along with me for the company! Cycling makes me observant and question many
factors of our social existence. As I cycled and thought about my new home in
Malawi I always triggered which photos would be great to show people back in
Malawi. The UK was a faraway land that many wanted to see but realistically
would never visit.
These are the images I came up, this is what I wanted to show everyone about England.
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| The countryside is like my heaven: green with fresh scents of flowers and vegetation |
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| Thatch is popular in the countryside as it breathes to make the building climate responsive depending on the weather outside. People use chicken wire to fix it to the roof so it holds well and therrfore needs less maintainance. |
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| Traditional architecture in the country in UK also built their homes out of local materials. People still do, as they realise the importance of climate change. People use stones, bricks and wattle & daub (weaved timber structure: willow and ash tree branches, moulded with aggregrate and manure). | |
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| Houses built with local stone and brick |
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| Old mills were once built to use water power to turn the machinery: inside is a rotating grain mill churning all grains to make bread, London |
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| Everyone depends on electricity in the city of London so there is a complex electricity system that connects to every house |
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Recycling
lorries and full buildings to collect, sort and store rubbish. People
in Malawi think I'm crazy collecting all types of materials from
Lilongwe that we reuse on site in the village.
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So that was my home, and this is what I now call home, I will try and describe it as best as possible.
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