The main language spoken is Chichewa. "Chewa" refers to the people found in Malawi and Zambia, while the "Chi" prefix indicates the language. It is also spoken in parts of Zambia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. There are five other languages spoken here depending on the region, and many people speak English to varying degrees. On the hospital campuses, the workers all speak English, but we often depend on other members of the medical team to translate diagnoses and treatment plans to the patients. This is vital to ensure families understand how to care for their kids and how important it is to continue cancer care.
The official currency is the Malawi kwacha, which can be abbreviated as MWK. The official conversion rate is around 1750 MWK to 1 USD. However, locals will sometimes pay more for foreign currency due to the high demand for foreign currency. In Malawi, it is a problem that the country imports more expensive goods than it exports. This makes the local currency weaker, and it drives up prices, especially because some commodities, like fuel, need to be purchased in US dollars. The country has experienced hyperinflation since 2020. The paper bills range from 20 MWK ($0.01 USD) to 5000 MWK ($2.88 USD).
