The Malawians are not deficient in ingenuity. With almost primitive hoes, they till up large fields for planting maize and vegetables. After we hit a goat with our car, it was primarily repaired using super-glue – and actually looks pretty good. At the craft stalls you will be able to purchase a small necklace pendant. It is likely to be strung on a piece of cord removed from a damaged radial tire. These same cords may also be fastened to a bucket at an open well. Women use rectangular pieces of cloth for everything from wrap skirts, slings for babies, and for wraps to keep warm. Soccer balls are made from wads of tape or scraps of cloth wound together.
We have seen no blowers to remove leaves from the lawn here at Area 10 Annie’s but young men with home made brooms go out each day and sweep off the leaves that have fallen during the previous 24 hours. But it’s mostly the bikes that astonish and amaze us.
Bikes are used for riding everywhere – on country dirt roads and in traffic in town and on the open highway. A bike is a prized possession and bike repair places dot the market areas along the roads. But we have also seen countless bicycles used as small trucks. Almost every bike has some sort of a load tied on the back – a bag of maize, mangoes or a basket contraption holding live chickens. Small poles attached to the back of the bike often extend six feet into the air. Some even have small extensions over the head of the rider. Towering bundles of firewood or huge sacks of charcoal are transported by the bicycle long distances to a market location. Young men often have to walk alongside the bikes doing a careful balancing act, straining every muscle as they push the load up hills and holding them back as they go down hill along the edges of roads. At first this was interesting local color – sort of like seeing the women carry things on their heads. But when you see the sweat and strain as they ride or push these incredible loads it is clear this is no joke! This is a livelihood and food on the table is dependent on it. We are amazed that they can keep the top heavy loads from toppling over, especially when a gust of wind comes along. We also marvel at the brave folks who hop side saddle on the back fender seat of a bicycle taxi. Bikes are a way of life in Malawi, especially in village areas where many “roads” are mere paths for people and animals and the walk to a main road can take hours.
Bikes are high on the wish list for most of our pastors. They laugh at the possibility of their ever having a 4X4, but maybe a working bike is possible. We heard that a new bike costs about $125. The alternative is to walk and most of the time that is what they do. Our car has been a great novelty and has been very well used. Thanks to all of you who helped make that possible. We don’t think we could tackle this trip on bikes!
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