Schools in Malawi usually have two shifts. My older sister and I go in the morning shift, which is from 7:00a.m. until 12:00p.m. My two older brothers go for the afternoon shift, which is from 12:10p.m. until 5:10p.m. My younger sister does not go to school yet. I am in Standard 4, which is like fourth grade.
I walk to school with other kids from my area. Our parents do not walk with us because they are busy working and cannot spare the time.
I usually eat nsima for lunch when I get home from school. My favorite thing to eat with it is dried fish.
I speak Chichewa at school, but next year in Standard 5 we will start to switch to English. I already have English classes every day, but the other lessons are still in Chichewa. "Moni" means "hello" in Chichewa.
Common Malawian names are Chisomo, Chimwemwe, Temwa, Tawonga and Yankho. All of those names can be for either boys or girls. A lot of students also have English names, such as Rachael, Lisa and Vanessa (for girls) or Herbert, Benjamin and Gerald (for boys). Names like Precious, Generous and Blessings are also common.
