The Office

 This is the front of AGE Africa’s new office in Blantyre. It’s the home of a wealthy family whose children decided not to live there after their parents passed away. We rent it directly from them at a cost that is unheard of anywhere in the states. (Read: CHEAP) It’s surrounded by a wall, as are all homes in Malawi, and there is a sliding metal gate at the street. There isn’t an automatic gate opener but rather a man named Eric who is close by at all times from 8:00AM - 6:00PM to open it when you honk the horn. As people leave he opens it again and then closes things up tight. When not occupied with the opening and closing, Eric takes care of the garden surrounding the house. 

The view from the master bedroom (where I am working along with a few other people while I’m in the office) looks out to the back yard. It’s quite green and kind of tropical-feeling. The air is not humid and, while, in the sunshine the temperature is perfect. It’s quite lovely, really. Once inside the wall, the rest of Malawi fades away. Tomorrow, we are back in the office and on Thursday we head out into the field on a scouting expedition.