Day
28. Wed 6th September.
Lilongwe
Last night's meal has cleared me out, so I change a final $100 with
Gerald behind the PTC and use some of it to buy two bottles of Malawi gin to take home
(Gaynor would never forgive me if I didn't bring her a bottle of Malawi
gin). No specific time was arranged for my meeting with the Minister,
and Brian has advised me to call and confirm that it is really on, but
I don't have a number, so I decide to chance it and get a
taxi to the ministry anyway and see what happens.
With no formal appointment I have to wait a while for the Minister to arrive, which she does, and I am able to
tell her about the project, and give her Ken's card. She asks me many searching questions, calls both
Ken and Leonard Sefu who is Director of National Parks and Wildlife and after a
full discussion indicates informally that she fully intends to support the
project, asks Ken to come and see her in her office at 9:00 tomorrow, thanks me
for my time, and the interview is over. What an experience for me!
I grab some lunch and get a taxi out to Ken's, who is very
keen to get the paperwork together and talk with Mr Sefu in preparation for
meeting the Minister tomorrow.
Monya has been given a few days off, and with no house boy Ken also has
to prepare a meal for his clients, as well as for us, so I am put to
work peeling spuds.
Ken's neighbour Marcel turn up unexpectedly and we spend a very
pleasant evening chatting and drinking whisky.