Local children are an endless source of entertainment, energy and sometimes annoyance. No matter where you are or what you are doing, there will be kids near-by ready to play.

Life in Malawi is, in many ways, slower than that of America. You will likely find yourself with more free time than you might have guessed. Here's a run down of a few forms of entertainment that many volunteers enjoy.

Books, everyone is always reading something. Bring some of your favorites but you will also find a decent circulation amongst volunteers. Books can be sent ahead of time to Malawi for relatively little money via surface mail (check at the post office for “M bag” rates). There are a few book stores here in Malawi, but they have a very limited selection. If there is something that you are dying to read, bring it!

Sports are popular. Soccer, called football here, is Malawi's favorite game and balls can be found in just about any Malawi city. Footballs, a softball with two mitts, or a frisbee are all excellent ideas.

Music is rich in Malawi. Tapes of Malawian and other African music are available and cheap, although the quality of recordings varies. CD's are rare and expensive although many volunteers have a portable CD player and sustain themselves on the CD's they brought along. Small radios with cassette players can be bought starting at $20-30 for fair but not excellent quality. Short wave radios are great and make the world seem a lot smaller when you can tune into Voice of America! Batteries can be found here, but are either expensive or won’t last very long. Many volunteers attach their music systems to a car battery for longer play time.

Live entertainment in the form of everything from traditional dances to Malawian "big name" performers can be expected from time to time. Spiritual bands often visit community churches as fundraisers and can be quite nice. When in Lilongwe or Blantyre, you can frequent the club "Legends." You'll be shocked at how hard it is to get away from the teeny bopper favorites you thought you left behind!