Here is the third in Becki Cole's series of blogs about the time she spent in Malawi at vinspired Lake of Stars back in October ...
I was made up to find out that Cantmixwontmixshldntmixdontmix, a group of 5 DJs that work extensively in the Liverpool area, are also charitably minded: Bobby spent 8 months volunteering here in Malawi, teaching in Nkata Bay, and Jazzbo was keen to re-visit and help in any way he could after playing Lake of Stars in 2007. As a group they’ve done plenty of charity work before, supporting C.A.L.M. and Oxjam.
They brought two suitcases full of pens to Malawi, and another one is on it’s way with a friend who’s coming to volunteer in January - they were excited about donating them to a nearby school project they regularly support. The lads are clued up about responsible donating, as Jay Jay said: “It’s so important for people to support sustainable projects, not to just give meaningless handouts.” Chris had seen where aid is vitally needed first hand - he’d been in Mangochi hospital as a patient himself! “It’s been a rollercoaster: absolutely amazing one minute, in hospital seeing the horrors the next. It’s a big eye-opener!”
Mr Paul, who played the Beach Bar on Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights, clearly loved the country and the festival and everything it stands for, choosing to come out here for 4 weeks to really get a feel for the place. He enthused: “I love the great music, the good people.”
Geoff from SixAM raved about Lucius Banda, Black Missionaries and Body, Mind and Soul, calling the festival “awe-inspiring. There’s so much talent here, on and off stage. You only need to look around for 10 seconds and you see something that challenges or excites you.” I can’t think of a better way to describe Malawi as a whole to be honest! He also played Lake of Stars last year and is so smitten with the country that he talked of moving here one day: he dreams of setting up a dance, drama and music school: “there’s too much talent going to waste and not enough opportunities to improve here – I’d love to give people that opportunity.”
If you are 16-25 and would like to volunteer, find opportunities on vinspired.com
Words by Becki Cole
