Final Thoughts and Reflections

Final Thoughts and Reflections by Colin

It's with mixed emotions that I write this final blog. In one respect I am so happy that the project has been successful but I was also sad to leave such a wonderful country and leave so many new but dear friends.

One thing I am sure of - I cannot be more proud of the team. Words cannot express or give justice to how the team behaved during the past two weeks. It would be easy to say that they went to Malawi as boys and came back men but that doesn't really give justice to the maturity, pro-activeness, compassion and sheer guts that the team displayed. What they achieved was remarkable and was without protest. We completed 10 classrooms in 5 days. We completely transformed these classrooms that will, in turn, be used to transform lives. We ensured that the other 6 classrooms (and 2 storerooms) will be completed to the same high standard before the start of next term. But all these things were just one facet to the project.

The boys transformed themselves in front of our eyes and required little direction or guidance to do so. They took everything in their stride which included absolute poverty and unfamiliar and difficult environments. There were two main highlights to my days that I would like to mention. The first is the interactions that the team would have with the boys and girls who were brave enough to come up to us and ask questions (mainly "What is your name?"). They made connections in their own inimitable way that included songs, chants, thumbs-up and dancing. It was delightful to listen to and definitely made the monotony of the relentless painting far more bearable.

The second highlight was our 'circle time' chats in the evening. I have never before heard such mature opinions and contributions made by a group of teenage boys. We designed these meetings to check-in on their emotional state but we ended up learning so much from the boys.

So I am a very proud man to have been part of this team. I am honoured to have worked with all of these boys and I know that these boys will take these experiences and use them to advance their true Christian manliness.

Time will tell what the legacy of Project Malawi will be. We can easily jump on a plane and fly home to our comfortable homes, well-stocked fridges, wifi and hot showers. We now have connections with friends who cannot do that. So I hope we, in Dunblane BB, continue down the route that Project Malawi has started: not just for the benefit of the hundreds of kids who will benefit from the renovated classrooms but also for our boys who gain so much from the experience. If you haven't had a chance to view the opinions of the boys then please click on this link and listen to what they have to say - https://youtu.be/vqOQOGvALiA

Some thanks - thanks to all who have supported and sponsored us over the past year. Thanks to all who have followed our blogs and have shared our stories. Finally, huge thanks to my fellow leaders - Paul, Vanda, Fraser, Ian and Fiona. It was a voyage into the unknown that involved a huge responsibility and a lot of 'going with the flow' but we did it so well. It was a great team effort and without your help it would not have been possible.

Look out for details of presentations that the boys will be doing - I can assure you that they will be fascinating - and also look out on facebook for final photographs of all 16 classrooms.

Thanks - Colin