Letter from the Editor

Talked to Jeremy, the volunteer I am replacing, on Facebook. He is also familiar with this NGO and knows their reputation. He made a good point to include the fact that they do a lot of legitimate work in Chikwina that accomplishes a lot of good in the area. He reminded me that hundreds of kids are going to school and getting supplemental food because of them. He says that all large organizations have their successes and failures, US Peace Corps definitely included (I can definitely attest to that one) and that it's never going to be a perfect system. Amen, brotha.

In other news, things are pretty rough right now in Malawi. Bingu (the President of Malawi) stopped paying the police and the military (what a dummy), the UK pulled out 5.2 billion in aid, and petrol demonstrations scheduled for Wednesday. And that's just over the last week. Not to mention that Obama cut the Peace Corps budget by 10% at the same time he doubled it's size. So much for getting a raise that would reflect the ridiculous inflation rates Malawi is experiencing right now. We were all discussing in the other day and one of the PCV's who is completing her service in the next two months, was like, "you guys are SO gonna get evacuated." Seems to be the general consensus among volunteers who have been here a while. Its a little disheartening, to say the least. Let me know if you guys back in the States hear anything!