The beginning of my commitment to Africa comes in 2014 with my first visit to the continent.  I'm not there to experience impoverished countries.  I've come with a sense of curiosity for a culture pulsing with drumbeats and brightened by song, a place where big cats dose under Acacia trees and meerkats watch over the houses.  My image of the continent is vivid and wild, and after my trip I'm still convinced that the sun nourishes the growth of a goodhearted soul.            

 During my stay in Zomba, I get to know a small community located in the middle of juicy green papayas and tea plantations.  I spend my time with Ernest and Victor, both of whom speak some English.  I learn how to chew sugar cane, cook Nsima, set up all five variations of the national board game, and gauge prices at the local market.  I also learn how much school costs, where the children play during the day, how families function and many other small details.  Surprisingly, I'm not the only one with a thirst for knowledge of another culture.  Ernest and Victor want to hear about Germany, see pictures and learn songs.  They ask me to show the children new games, to count and speak with them.  Unofficial and indirect, this is the beginning of my support.  I give the teachers new ideas to improve mathematics teaching and to use new resources. I do not need anything but a little creativity.

Now I'm a certified Field, Trails and Marines Guide in South Africa.  I discovered my love of the wilderness after several weeks in Malawi.  In just a few weeks, I came to love the people and the culture.  It's important to me to strengthen the global exchange of knowledge and provide people in remote parts of the world with access to essential resources. In the coming years, my projects will mainly focus on the supply of energy for the region.  Due to the deforestation of Malawi's woodlands, recent years have seen a growing lack of firewood.  Alternative sources of energy must be found, and I would like to help.