Volunteers Story: Jo Dunbar

Before my travels, I was anxious and apprehensive about what to expect. I had heard great things about Open Arms through friends of friends that have been, and looking at the website filled me with great excitement however, I couldn’t help but feel nervous.

These nerves very quickly subsided on arrival at the Blantyre home where I was greeted with great big smiles from both the children and the mothers which never stopped throughout the duration of my entire stay! From the offset, I was made to feel so welcome. My day started at 7am when I fed the babies porridge for breakfast (most of which ended up all over me). Whilst they were having a much needed bath afterwards, I helped in the kitchen to prepare lunch and snacks or helped to hang out the washing on the line. This provided me with the opportunity to get to know some of the ladies and for them to get to know me.

They were all so friendly and very interesting to talk to. One evening the mothers cooked us a meal, which provided us with an opportunity to get to know them as well without being disrupted by noisy children! The rest of the day involved bottle feeding the tiny babies when needed, playing with the bigger babies and helping feed them at meal times. I made sure I made a visit down to Harrogate house most afternoons to play with the older children who were lucky enough to have lots of play equipment like swings and a sea saw- I think I probably had more fun than them on these!

Highlights for me in Blantyre involve going to the fruit and vegetable market with the ladies and going on outreach to visit discharged children. I was also lucky enough to take the twins Maureen and Memory home for the first time where we were greeted by very appreciative dancing and singing friends and family who were so happy to have them back.

Fortunately, I was also able to visit the other Open Arms home in Mangochi. The homes are completely different, both providing very different but equally great atmospheres. The daily routine was very similar and although we were only there for a week, we became very close with the mothers due to their enthusiasm and the effort that they made to really get to know us. This week fell on pay day which involved a lot of dancing and singing and even a play which was acted out for us! There were speeches and many families with children who had previously been discharged came to visit and join in with the festivities. I also got to experience a work party where a DJ came with massive speakers and lunch was cooked for us. This was great fun and similarly involved a lot of dancing and singing.

All of the children were adorable and so well behaved and I wish I could have brought them all home with me. They are in my thoughts daily and not a moment passes when I don’t wish I could return. The month went far too quick and I’m already getting excited about the prospect of going back! Both Jasmine in Blantyre and Rachid in Mangochi were so helpful with any questions I had and helping us settle in and feel welcome. They, alongside all the ladies and the children helped to make the experience the incredible month that it was, and I will definitely remember it forever.