I’m sorry I haven’t been posting much, but that will change soon, because Dad let’s me use his
computer now during his language lessons - when we have power and the internet works. Ever
since we moved here there has been a fuel crisis. (I had better continue later because the power
just went off! So I don’t want to waste the computer battery).
Oh good the power is back. It’s been off for a while. So, the fuel crisis is getting worse, and some
fuel lines are several kilometres long. Some people say Malawi is the poorest country in the
world. We are also experiencing more power outages. Some people tried to protest but the
government isn’t very democratic and doesn’t let them. A fuel crisis means the city does not
have fuel for days, or weeks. A fuel crisis means waiting in line for 5-14 hours when fuel comes
just to get a few litres because people are rationing. Dad has been saving fuel so we have enough
for three more weekends of travel. I had better stop now, third power outage today.
One of our problems is jerry cans (big cans for holding fuel). People just carry them up to the
pump, instead of waiting in line while all the cars wait. This causes huge chaos, and it is illegal
but the police does nothing. They use the fuel in jerry cans to sell at the black market. Another
problem is corruption and bribes, “I’ll fill up your tank if you’ll give me money so I can have a
drink” , a fuel attendant once told my dad. Dad didn’t give him money, but basically the man was
asking for a bribe.
