Accompanying Photos

RPCV Malawi Summer 2007 Tour

Greetings to all! I hope that this finds everyone enjoying summer, remembering to savor these warm, flip-flop appropriate days. Over the past seven weeks I have learned that one of the best things to be is a teacher on summer vacation. I have spent most of the summer at home in Traverse City, catching up with my family and soaking up the sun and the outdoors. I have been fortunate enough to catch up with several Malawi RPCVs this summer.

In late July Sarah was in Michigan for her boyfriend's sister's wedding so we headed to the Upper Peninsula for a few days of backpacking and camping along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior. While Sarah was busy showing Boyscouts how to make a fire and I was perfecting the art of hoisting up food bags on the bear pole, we did take some time to remember Ryan and Dakotah's birthdays and Stephanie and Joaquin's anniversary. Belated best wishes to all!

I spent a day with Adrienne Rathert on the beach of Lake Michigan in late July. For those of you who are friends with her and have not been aware of her recent health issues, please email me or her. Keep her in your positive thoughts.

A few days ago my mother and I returned from a trip out to New England. Our first stop was Cape Cod, where we spend time visiting with Mary Kinney adn her husband Johann Vandermerwe. They send their greetings to all. My mom and I then went to Martha's Vineyard, where we learned that the island is home to only one vineyard. We bought our fare share of wine and I impressed my mom with my ability to tie boxes of wine to the back rack of a bicycle. I said that if a rack was strong enough to support a person it was surely strong enough to support a a half dozen bottles of vino.

Our tour continued up to Maine, where we stayed with Martha in her beautiful new home (she is contemplating a fall or winter gathering). We went out for dinner in Portland with Louise Sutton and Solomon, the Malawian student Louise has assisted in coming to the U.S. to begin his college studies. My mom and I convinced Martha to go camping with us up in Acadia, where we enjoyed two nights of camping and hiking.

I have really had a fabulous summer. I am heading back out to NYC at the end of this week. I am returning to the same high school I taught at last school year. I am hoping that the year will be filled with less chaos, fewer mice, and more successes.

You are all most welcome to visit me in NYC whenever you want! Khalani Makola. Merilee

The sun is a friend- from Matt

Greetings all, Life is good, glad to hear what everyone else is up to, please keep posting. Had some of the 04-06 year Education RPCV's visit this past weekend and it was great to talk about good ole' Malalwi. Other than that its about the same here.

Main reason I am posting is I found this article about solar cookers in Sudan. I knew they were helpful I just did not know where.

Stay well. Matt

http://www.jewishworldwatch.org/donate/solarcookerproject.html

Hillary - Health Volunteer

Does anyone know Hillary's email (from the health group before us)?
Kelly and I want to meet up with her in Dublin.
Tom