Working at MIJ

Just outside of the city centre, tucked away off the highway is The Malawi Institute of Journalism (MIJ), a small building that houses 250 students, two classrooms, three offices, and a fully-functioning radio station. The contrast of the red-lettered MIJ FM sign on the pale yellow wall, is easily seen from the road.

Down the dusty pathway and over the protruding tree roots, I walk toward the white gate that shields trespassers from entering school property. Although I am not a trespasser, I am certainly an outsider. The students know it, the teachers know it, and the receptionist knows it... for now.

I enter the building, pretending that I don't feel people staring at me as I walk by. I try to make eye contact and smile at everyone. Some people just stare. Others wave and say hello. It will only be a matter of a few weeks before I feel totally comfortable here. I know the blank stares will turn into "muli bwanji" (How are you?); and my response will eventually be "ndiri bwino" (I am fine) rather than a meek smile and awkward wave. As such with any new job, it takes time before everyone is comfortable with The New Girl.

For the next six months, I will be working with the MIJ students to build their portfolios. Most students graduate with a great knowledge of journalism theory but unless they initiate their own freelance work, they often have nothing tangible to show potential employers.

We have split up the two classes into eight study groups. Each week has a theme as we work toward building human rights feature stories. With the hope that each student will be able to pitch their story to a credible publication, we will talk about what is newsworthy, how to research a story, how to conduct interviews, how to write/produce a story, etc.

It will probably be a little bit tricky for me to help produce stories that are meant for TV and radio because I've only ever worked in print, but I will do my best.

We will also be working on the electronic newspaper with the students. This project's goal is twofold: to rebuild the publication and to provide the students with more practical experience.

Similarly, we are going to try working with the students to create human rights features for MIJ FM. Although I don't have any radio experience, I will be able to help with the content of the stories. It's a scary thought to work in radio but there are components of journalism that I understand which expand across each medium.

MIJ is a great place to work so far. The teachers, students and journalists at the station have all been very welcoming. The students are keen and excited to work with us. It's just a happy place.

One student just sauntered down the hall singing "I am blessed, I am blessed, I am blessed." How often does that happen at universities and workplaces in Canada?

Jealous, dear readers? You should be. Because "I am blessed, I am blessed, I am blessed" to be here.