Student Audrey Hill Shares Her Experience as a Photojournalism Intern in Malawi
This past spring semester, I had the opportunity to do a photojournalism internship at the School of Agriculture and Family Independence (SAFI) based outside of Lilongwe, Malawi, where community members learn about business, agriculture, family life and fish farming strategies. When I first decided to intern in Malawi, I knew next to nothing about Malawi or agriculture. The extent of my gardening knowledge came from the days of my youth when my parents would have me weed for seemingly hours on end every Saturday morning. Despite those dreaded Saturday mornings, I decided that SAFI was the right place for me this spring.
Upon settling into life in Malawi, I quickly realized that I would be absolutely no help in teaching others about agriculture. However, what I came to understand within a few short days of being in Malawi was that SAFI is much more than a place that teaches about agriculture. It is a place for learning and growth for everyone involved, especially me. SAFI is a place where various people from across Malawi bring their strengths and teach others.
What seemed to me to be the most important element I learned in Malawi because of SAFI was that learning can come because of joy. Wherever I went in the day or whatever I did in Malawi, the main focus of each day was finding joy. I had the opportunity almost every day to visit various communities around Malawi with SAFI staff members, each of whom were from Malawi. Visiting these communities meant being welcomed with open arms by members of the communities, usually beginning with song and dance and ending with an exchange of goodwill and small gifts. It left me awestruck that strangers willingly let me into their homes and showed me around their lives for a brief moment. It was so humbling to me that the people I met entrusted me with their stories.
I consider each opportunity I had to meet the people of Malawi as such a gift. It is amazing to me how many friendships I was able to develop even though I did not fluently speak the language. I found so much strength and love through meeting the people of Malawi. Their friendliness provided me with the courage to live and work in a place that was unfamiliar to me. I feel as though I am still, and believe I will forever be, trying to understand just how I can be so welcoming and joyful as the people I met in Malawi. I’m grateful that I can now say I know more about agriculture than weeding in a garden once a week, but I’m even more grateful for the ways Malawi taught me to love and welcome others. I feel changed in ways that I will forever be trying to describe and understand.
