6/23/09
I want to tell you a little about Samantha. Sam is a transplant in Malawi. She was born in Zimbabwe, has traveled extensively, lived in South Africa for a while, and eventually settled here in Senga Bay about 7 years ago. She owns Cool Runnings, where we are staying, and another hostel a few kilometers away. She runs a tight ship here, and the place is invariably clean and nice looking, and the food is fantastic. Her staff is composed of locals, whom she has trained, and who have come to love her almost as a mother. There is no website or other advertising for Cool Runnings, yet the entire time we've been here, there has been no shortage of people staying here. Most who come through are backpackers, and have been told by other backpackers that this is the place to stay in Senga Bay. This, however, is not what Sam is all about. She is a warrior for the community. Besides her "Clinic at the Gate," she is involved in or in charge of countless other community centered endeavors, most of which she keeps quiet. At the hospital yesterday, we noticed that when the nurses see her come in, they suddenly jump to at least look busy, as they were not really doing anything when we got there. She runs a school and a library, to help ensure that young people have an opportunity to get thier education started on the right foot. She runs a youth soccer league with 15 teams of kids and pays for it out of her own pocket (though proper soccer balls are in short supply). The people, young and old, of the community look up to Sam and respect her. It seems as though every person between here and Salima, which is about 20 km up the road, knows her. She works closely with Margaret, who runs the Baptist Clinic up the road to ensure that the locals are getting the best medical treatment they can muster up. I would liken her to Mary Poppins: she is firm, yet loving and a champion for these people under her care. She has taken us in and helped us to understand the people of this country. We have already learned so much in our short time here, and look forward to getting to know Sam, and her community better.
Jarrod and Kate