My Trip to Scotland
If I am asked how I
would describe Scotland in one sentence, I would say: "Scotland is the
warm heart of United Kingdom". This was felt right away when we arrived at
Glasgow Airport on the 21 March, 2015. the welcome we received from the people
who were waiting for us was very superb. In addition, the experience we had in
the families we stayed was marvellous, a gesture we did not expect especially
with the doubts, anxieties, worries we
carried from Malawi.
Indeed my trip to
and experience in Scotland has opened the horizons of my thinking and life. my
experience and interaction with the students and members of staff at St
Matthew's Academy and the other schools we visited has taught me that the world
is a global village. our presence among them knew no boundaries, we were like
one people. the reaction of the students from St Matthew's on our departure day
at the airport was like they have lost something in their lives. This gave us
courage and hope in our lives that despite difficult situations we find
ourselves in Malawi, there are some people out there who think about us and are
ready to support us. Now we are convinced that in the situations we are in, we
are not alone.
Throughout the
trip, I realised that EDUCATION is the key to success. And for
that for Education to go well, you need to have enough resources for both
teachers as well as students. Our friends is Scotland have the opportunities
but for us this is a challenge. May be this would be a wake up call to the
Government to consider the area seriously.
Regarding CULTURE,
through my stay in Scotland, I realised that culture are different because one
is a developed country while the other is developing now. however, there is
unity in diversity in the sense that life itself is the same. As a developed
country, our friends may have many opportunities which make life different from
us. For instance I was challenged to see the number of cars on the roads, this
made me think that almost everybody has a car.
In terms of the
country itself and other circular things Malawi has a long way to go. But I am
convinced that if the leaders of the Government are committed, little by
little, we would be there at our capacity.
Finally, I would
like to thank the people involved in the partnership. I would like to thank
them from deep down in my heart for their sacrifices they make for St Peter's
Secondary School and the Parish in general. I know, life there is money. So,
their sacrifices mean that we are one people. I consider myself a lucky person
to be included on the trip. It has really changed my way of thinking, it has
helped me to grow and build my character with the experience I have found.
Fr. Phillip Nkunika
My visit to Scotland
What looked like a dream became a reality.
On 19/3/15 I woke up with fear though delighted that I will fly above the
clouds in an aero plane for the first time in my life on my way to Scotland.
Fear griped me as I thought over food, strange people in a strange land. Will I
be recognized? To the contrary the Scottish people proved me wrong. At around 10:30 a.m.,
Stephen, Ally, Peter just to mention a few proved my thoughts very wrong.
Right from the airport the friendly treatment I got from Ally and all the
others remain unbelievable. I was treated like one of them in everything. I say
thank you God for giving us such kind of people as friends. To the students it
was the same friendly chatting. Scotland is a nice a place to be! As for Stephen thank you
for your simplicity in according us such a wonderful moment. The deliberations
we had with you have made people here (Malawi) very happy. Looking forward to
continued cooperation.
Food was plentiful, entertainment non-stop,
places of interest were visited only that time was not on our side.
Paul and Annie deserve a wonderful part on
the back for linking up with friends in Scotland whenever we were stranded due
to changes in flight. It is not easy. Take it. You are such a wonderful
companion.
Many thanks to all staff, students of St.
Matthews Academy and the associated primary schools for the warm welcome you
gave us Malawians. Take care. God bless you all.
Ken
I experienced a lot of things in Scotland like the cold weather, how our friends live there and the things they like to do at home, like cooking. In Malawi here, a father is not supposed to be cooking while his wife or children are just sitting but in Scotland anyone can cook. I also experienced about the Scottish culture that men wear skirts on some ceremonies. Also at school the students are the ones who follow the teachers to the class while here, teachers are the ones who follow the students to class. Our friends go to school by bus while here we walk and also that students are few in classes while here students are many in one classroom. The food was so good and I was even used to it. But…anyway, everything was so good and I liked everything.
Lughano Msukwa
When I was in Scotland I experienced a lot of things, for example, Bowling Alley, Cinema. It was my first time to go to bowling and to see how to play bowling. I also went to the Parliament. It was my first time to go to the Parliament and see the Minister of Europe and Overseas Development.
I visited Glasgow City Centre, where I saw a building with Nelson Mandela’s name written on it. I was very happy to see this building. I also went to the museum. I experienced a lot of things like the elephant which has been in the museum for 200 years.
It was my first time to go to Edinburgh where I learned how the people lost their lives during wars and also the guns that they were using during wars and the people who were the Kings. It was also my first time to see a good Stadium like Celtic Park. I also experienced how the Celtic Park players play the fast ball.
I was very happy to play football with my friends and most of them are good players like Christopher, John Paton, Shaun Dempsey, Sean Henry, Konnar Doyle, Kieron McManus, Dylan Keogh and Aiden Grant. As for me, I saw differences between the Black Africans and Scots in terms of playing football.
I have also had the experience to see the snow. It was my first time to see the Snow Zone and I was very happy to see the Snow Zone because in Malawi we don’t have Snow Zone.
Thank you, all my friends.
Harry C. Nyirenda
First of all, I would like to thank Father Phillip Nkunika and Mr Ken Mughogho for making our trip successful. When I was told that I was one of the selected group to go to Scotland, I was so excited and I really thanked God. In my mind I thought that Scotland is just the same as Malawi but as we travelled I saw that Scotland is a very developed country. At first it was so hard for me to get used to the weather because I didn’t expect that Scotland is as cold as I saw, but when I got used to it I found it easier to live there. At school in St. Matthew’s Academy, many pupils welcomed us with excitement. I was so glad to see people who are so lovely to the visitors. In class, it was hard for me to understand but since Niamh was beside me, I was asking her what the teacher was saying. I enjoyed all the lessons. At home in Saltcoats, I was given a family that took me as their daughter. They did everything that I wanted and I was happy to stay with them. As we went to see many places, I believed that Malawi is still behind in developing the country. I enjoyed staying there and I thank God that we had a safe journey. I hope that I shall meet again the people in Scotland and then travel again to Scotland. Thank You!
Lenna Phiri
When I was going to Scotland I expected to learn a lot in terms of education, culture and the type of food they eat. I thought some people of Scotland will not like us because of the colour of our skin but to my surprise many people were very happy upon seeing us, and we interacted happily with each other. When my fellow students and I were in Scotland, my greatest experience was the Snow Zone where I had more fun than ever before. In terms of education, I also have had a great experience. I admired the way they were learning, whereby teachers do not have to move from class to class, classrooms have a projector and many classes had less than 30 students. And items of food..I was surprised because I was not able to discover their staple food since the people eat different types of food at different times.
Alfred Paul Nkunika
I would like to thank all the staff members and all the host families for their warm welcome. We really felt at home, most specially with my host family. I had a nice welcome; Heather’s mum is so caring. I enjoyed staying with them and all the time I spent with them. I have learned more about Scotland from them.
I have learned more about Scotland than I expected. The people are so caring, mostly the St. Matthew’s students. I am also happy to meet new friends and I hope our friendship will last always.
I have learned that kindness and hard work are the most important things that help one to achieve what he or she desires in life, and with God’s help everything is possible.
Annie Swalley
The time I was chosen to go to Scotland, I was expecting to see many things that I have never seen in my life. When the plane arrived at Glasgow Airport I was very impressed to see the new country with very beautiful buildings and also a lot of cars. The time we were going out from the plane I was expecting to see snow and at the same time feel very cold. Unfortunately this day in Scotland was warm because there was sunlight, but for us we were feeling very cold. The time we met with the people who were waiting for us, they were very happy to see us in Scotland and we were also very happy to see them. The headmaster of St. Matthew’s Academy asked if we were to watch the game between Celtic and Dundee FC and we told him that though we were tired, we would watch the game. Celtic won the game, three goals to zero. After the game I was warmly welcomed with the Paton family.
In Scotland I have really enjoyed being at St. Matthew’s Academy, Kelvingrove Museum, the Parliament, Edinburgh Castle, Celtic Park, Snowzone, the Primaries,and St. John’s Community Church. Finally, I have really enjoyed staying with my family – the Paton Family. Scotland is a very beautiful country with good people.
Blair Mwalilino
I know what I feel like.
Peace and love is very important in a country
Peace and love is very important in a country
Eyes Eyes
Eyes Eyes
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