After a little break from blogging, I’m finally back — and so excited to share a brand-new chapter of our lives! My daughter and I have just settled into our new home in Malawi, where we’ll be spending the next year. This post is all about fresh starts, new perspectives, and the beautiful (and chaotic!) reality of change when you’re traveling with a toddler.
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| Reina transit at Narita Airport |
How it All Started
When I accepted a mission in Malawi, I knew I needed to hit pause on blogging. Preparing for a big international move with a toddler took every ounce of energy — packing lists, forms, vaccination shots, goodbyes, and the emotional load that comes with uprooting your little one.
We finally arrived in Blantyre on March 21, 2025: two checked bags, one carry-on, one stroller, and one very energetic two-year-old.
The journey from Nagoya took more than 24 hours with multiple transits (Nagoya → Tokyo → Incheon → Addis Ababa → Blantyre).
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Surprisingly, my little one handled it well. She slept, ate, played with the small gift from Ethiopian Airlines, and even interacted with the flight attendants. To my relief, there was far less drama than I expected for such a long trip.
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| Our little bus driver in Addis Ababa Airport. |
The whole trip was exhausting. But beneath the fatigue was excitement — and courage. I was ready to begin again, this time as a working mom in an entirely new environment.
Why Malawi?
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| A man on his canoe at Lake Malawi. |
Malawi, known as the “Warm Heart of Africa,” truly deserves its name. It’s peaceful and welcoming, and the people are kind, calm, and incredibly hospitable.
When my career manager mentioned this mission — and told me I could bring my family — I felt both excitement and nerves.
Excitement because I could return to work and expose my daughter to a completely new culture. Nerves because it was her first time in Africa, far from everything she knew.
A Glimpse on our First Days
When we finally landed in Blantyre, our driver picked us up from the airport and took us straight to the office. My daughter, tired but still wide-eyed with curiosity, was taking everything in. We made a quick stop at Shoprite to grab some basic food supplies before heading home.
My first impression of Blantyre? It’s incredibly green — lush, vibrant, and full of life. There was a bit of traffic when we arrived (it was a Friday, after all), but the moment we reached home, we could finally rest all through the weekend. We unpacked, slowed down, and began settling into this new chapter.
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| Visited a small farm in Blantyre. |
Then came Monday: my first day of work. My daughter cried so hard when I left her with the nanny. It broke my heart. The first weeks were tough. She was scared of unfamiliar faces, and some mornings I had to sneak out quietly so she wouldn’t see me leave. And when I returned home from work, she would cry again — upset that I’d been away. It was emotionally draining, but slowly, she began to adjust.
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| Game drive at Game Haven Lodge. |
On our second weekend, we joined our neighbors for a trip to Game Haven Lodge, a beautiful place with zebras, antelopes, a giraffe, and wildebeest — perfect for curious toddlers!
We also explored Limbe Market and shopping areas like Chipiku and Sana. Little by little, Malawi started to feel like home.
Wrapping Up
That’s all for now. I’d love for you to follow along as we continue discovering Malawi.
I hope that by sharing our journey, other moms — especially those navigating change with a toddler — will feel inspired or courageous to make a change.
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