Welcome to "Through a Glass Darkly" - my blog about my service trip to Malawi, Africa.

I left Canada on December 30th for Blantyre, Malawi, AFRICA. I worked with Friends of Malawi Fellowship (FOMF), the organization headed by my aunt Phyllis Labrentz. I taught English language and literature, helping secondary high school students learn to read and write English well enough to pass the government exams.
During that time I was also kept busy teaching guitar, singing, and assisting my aunt.
I left Malawi on July 19th and returned to Canada on July 20th.

Monday, January 16, 2012

MARTYRS' DAY

Jan. 16th

Today was a national holiday.
"John Chilembwe Day" (January 15th) honours the life of this famous Malawian. On January 23rd 1915, Reverend Chilembwe (not a politician or activist, but a pastor) led a revolt against the British colonial government--without a single gun or bullet. The uprising ended when Rev. Chilembwe was killed a few weeks later.


Between 1953 and 1963 Nyasaland (Malawi), Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) became members of the Federation of Central Africa.
During an uprising against the Federation in 1959, forty people lost their lives. These people are remembered on March 3rd every year on Martyr's Day.


Independence was declared in 1964 and the country became a republic in 1966.

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