Safety in Ntcheu, Malawi What do other Racers need to know in order to be safe? Current safety protocols/precautions in place? Any relevant issues/concerns? Any precautionary suggestions?
People’s Opinions
If you are at ester’s house its really safe, but there are local drunks after dark, which is why they ask us to try to not be out. The city is fairly small and not too unsafe, but after dark is after dark be smart, we got approached by men a lot, but that comes with being white women…
Ministry Summary
Ministry Summary in Ntcheu, Malawi Breakthroughs? Suggestions? Concerns? On a scale of 1-4 (1 being not at all, 4 being absolutely) how strongly would you recommend another World Race team go to this ministry location & why?
People’s Opinions
WE LOVE DAVID AND CATHERINE AND ASHLEY AND LEAH AND TYLER. They are all really great people. Our team found that our ministry really focused on pouring into them. They do a lot of catering to 10 day american teams, which tires them out. We did a lot of day to day help, organizing, painting (we did a lot of hand lettering and a mural in the library) cooking lunch for kids and teaching spiritual development “like sunday school sort of” we also did 1 day of evangelism and did some things with the resident orphans and the MKs
Lodging
Lodging in Ntcheu, Malawi Where did you stay? What were the accommodations (sleeping arrangements, toilets, showers, etc.)? Cost (per person per night in USD), Contact info.
People’s Opinions
We were in a single room with 4 bunkbeds and shelves. They had mosquito nets. ALso when we got there…there were sheets, pillows, towels and washcloths. We were blown away. The room is in the same hallway as where the 5 resident orphan girls live. Bathroom at the end of the hall. REALLY nice and hot water!! The last week we were there they started a construction project for a different housing area for teams near the kitchen, so that may also be where you end up in the future!
Food / Meals
Food / Meals in Ntcheu, Malawi What did you eat? Where did you get the food? Cost (per person per day in USD)? Contact info (if applicable).
People’s Opinions
There is one restaurant in town. Its called dear Mamma’s. Its fairly good chicken, sometimes tough. If you want any meat (chicken) for the month buy it from them, David can help you with that. Otherwise we pretty much ate vegetarian…they also have actually good soft serve ice cream…compared to what I had on the race previously.
can I just say…FULL KITCHEN. Like…legit fully equipped. The only thing that didnt work was the oven. we had 5$ a day and I made money this month off of our food budget. We got our food various places. There are two markets in town one smaller and one bigger. The smaller one always had what we needed, though the eggs were 5 kwatcha more than the big market (literally nothing) There is a convenient store on the main street by the big market where you can get things like pasta, crackers, cookies, juice, chocolate(expensive). We had the opportunity to go to lilongwe and get fruit and sweets. There is almost no fruit at the markets, but it also may depend on the time of year. In the village there is a small store/stand up the road if you turn right out of ester’s house. You can get eggs, bread, coke, and a few really basic items you may need to restock on there. Then right across the way is the chip man. We would go sometimes for lunch. its 300 kwatcha for a bag of “chips” with salad on top, and its a pretty large portion. He is also super nice. 🙂
Transportation
Transportation in Ntcheu, Malawi What transportation did you use to enter the country? Where were you coming from? What transportation was used to move throughout the country? Be sure to include the cost per person in USD and contact info if applicable.
People’s Opinions
We came from Lusaka in Zambia and we arrived to debrief at lake malawi. From there the woman and her husband who run the location were able to help us rent a minibus for us and our stuff to get to Ntcheu. They dropped up off at the bus station in the middle of town. David then picked us up in their van. He was wearing jeans and a broncos hat! It was pretty great! When we left and headed to Lilongwe they actually ended up driving us the 3 hrs there becasue they were headed in to do some shopping anyways. It was really sweet!
Hmmm more often than not I was always able to catch a ride with one of the other missionaries into town when I needed to get there. If you dont…You catch a bike or moto taxi to the end of the dirt road, or walk…it takes about 30 min towalk to the main road. Then you get on a mini bus into town and they will drop you at the bus station!
Medical
Medical in Ntcheu, Malawi Information on local hospitals / doctors / pharmacies. Where would someone go in a medical emergency? (addresses and contact info).
People’s Opinions
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Communication
Communication in Ntcheu, Malawi Did you have cell reception / Internet service? Where? Carrier / Provider, where did you get phones / SIM cards, cost? Country code?
People’s Opinions
No internet, anywhere. There is no place in town that we could find that had internet. The only internet you can get is buying it and loading a router they have…which we did because we had treasurer, logistics, squad lead, and team lead that had responsibilities that had to be fulfilled. Its not too expensive, but it runs out quickly when everyone is using it so set ground rules.
Financial
Financial in Ntcheu, Malawi Location of banks or ATMs, notes about transaction fees, best places to exchange money, and other money related advice.
People’s Opinions
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Translators
Translators in Ntcheu, Malawi List any local translators – name and contact information, languages spoken
People’s Opinions
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Off Days / Fun Activities
Off Days / Fun Activities in Ntcheu, Malawi What activities did your team experience? Recommendations? List locations/contact info. Any locations to be avoided? Any extra safety tips for off days?
People’s Opinions
a lot of days off I jus stayed on base or went into town to go to the market…nothing too exciting. But on one adventure day we did climb the nearby mountain. The one with the cell poles on the top. Beautiful view. There is a trail that takes you up…we had to play charades with locals until they showed it to us. but its about a 2.5 hour hike up depending on your pace. SO many flowers up there.
Other Important Contacts
Other Important Contacts in Ntcheu, Malawi Additional ministry opportunities, local pastors, etc. Relationship & follow up suggestions
People’s Opinions
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Tips
People’s Opinions
Its really chill. If you want to watch the sunset from a good area go out the gate by the kitchen and to the other side of the half constructed home. THere is a wide cement staircase that gives you a perfect view of the mountain the sun sets over.
Additional Info
Additional Info in Ntcheu, Malawi Anything we’ve left out? Any additional suggestions to make travel easier for others?