“I had my first kid at the age of 29 and I hadn’t any idea of how to raise children. For me, this is the real turning point!”
Name : Julius Budget Msyali
Gender : Male
DoB : 12.10.1981
City of Birth : Manchewe, Malawi
Status : Married
Family : 2 daughters of 2 & 4 years old
Hometown : Manchewe, Malawi
Education : Secondary School
Job : Construction
Religion : Protestant
Politics : Malawi Congress Party
As a child… How would you picture yourself at 30?
JOB – How did you decide to do this job? Around 16 years old, I wanted to be a journalist. I have always liked to put the words together into action… Words can be very powerful! Actually, this is still one of my ambition … Even today I love to watch the news on TV or listen to the radio and I pay attention to the way journalists do their job.
I have always liked to put the words together into action… Words can be very powerful!
HOME / PLACE OF LIVING – Where you thought you would be living by now? I thought I would be living in Rumphi (Medium size city in North Malawi). This city was the place where my grandparents lived at the time. I used to go there often with my mother, and both of my grandpa and grandma gave me a lot of affection. I guess this is the main reason why I wanted to build my life there.
Budget lives with his wife and two daughters in a mountain village in North Malawi.
Budget works currently in construction. He had in the past many jobs: volunteer teacher, assistant in storage and secretary of a community.
Striking and memorable events…
IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE – What are the most memorable event of your personal life? Two main events built and shaped the man I am today. In 1982, my twin brother died. I have always told myself that life was nothing and it could have been me as well… or instead… Later on, in 1994, my father was unemployed, so I had to stop school in order to work and get money to take care of the all family. It gave me a strong sense of responsibility… Even if I was quite brilliant at school and loved studying, I had to quit school… I remember that I used to be one of the students in my classes :)) (smile)
IN THE WORLD – What are the main events that stroke the world you are living in? In April 2012, the president of Malawi died. The situation was really tense in the country, because of the power vacuum. Information was really hard to get and everybody was always trying to get some some bribes of information. One of the way to flow information was texting, I remember that I was always texting my friends to give them new information about the situation (I was able to get them from the radio). After some days, a transition government was founded. We renewed with calm and peace after this storm.
BEST MEMORY – What is your best memory? The greatest thing someone could have done for me… In 1996, an american from Alaska became my sponsor for secondary school. He payed for my school fees during 3 years. I met him in Manchewe (Budget’s village), I was a brilliant child at that time I think. He send me money from the USA and I did not get any more contact since then. (One year tuition fee for college in a public school is 150 000 kwacha, about 300 euros).
GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT – I am really proud to live the way I do now. I am also proud to have such wonderful wife and to raise my 2 baby girls – they are 2 and 4 years old.
Looking back / Reviewing expectations
10 YEARS AGO, I was living alone but I had the intention to get married and to have 4 children of mine. I deeply wanted to start my own business so I started my own shop, basically a grocery, in Chitimba (the village 10 km down his mountain).
TODAY, I have a wonderful family with who I share priceless moments. I don’t run my business anymore. In 2008, I had to close it because of my mum’s death. My duty was again to take care of my family (father, brothers and sisters).
Budget enjoying a typical lunch with his co-workers. Nsima with fish! (Nsima, made from maize flour, is the most popular dish in Malawi)
Budget’s favorite spot is this amazing view on the Malawi lake… Just a few minutes away from his home.
30 years old, a turning point?
WHAT’S NEW? – Did you notice some changes since you are 30 YO? Before, I was living on my own, I was self-reliant. I had my first kid at the age of 29 and I hadn’t any idea of how to raise children. For me, this is the real turning point! Now, I am responsible for my family, I listen more to other’s advices. Well, I do think more about the results of my actions. I am not alone anymore…
I do think more about the results of my actions. I am not alone anymore…
OLD OR YOUNG? – Do you feel « old » or « still young »? I am a little bit old, now (smiling). I can feel it in my mind and body. I also know more about women, that’s make me an older man I think.
CHANGES OR REGRETS? What are the things you would like to change? If I was able to change something, I would have pursue this shop of my own. Nowadays, it is more difficult to have enough capital to launch a new business (about 100 000 Kwacha, 200 euros for a small shop).
My Values
My Typical day
And tomorrow?
YOUR STORY IN 10 YEARS – What is the story you want to tell within 10 years? My future is definitely bright and I am striving for it. I want to go to work in South Africa and gather the more money I can. Then, I would be able to come back to Malawi in order to start again my own business. On a family ground, I want my children to be educated, and If i am able to get enough money, I may have one or two more.
THE WORLD IN 10 YEARS – How do you imagine the world you will be living in within 10 years? I picture the future of Malawi not as bright as it was 30 years ago. The country will be certainly more developed, which is a good thing. But the problem is that we don’t have any strong resources to boost the economy (tobacco and crops are the main ones, whereas the mining sector is just starting). The only hope might be the development of tourism industry.
We have also a big challenge ahead, which is reducing prostitution. And I personally do not see how this issue can be solved. Even if more and more people are sensitized, they do not have any option, they are poor and it is an easy way to earn one’s life.
Fears and Dreams…
FEARS – What are you afraid of? I fear deadly diseases such as AIDS and breast cancer. I am also afraid of lacking fresh and drinkable water. In Malawi, lots of children died because of the dirty water they drink.
ACHIEVEMENTS – What are the things you want to achieve? I want to have a nice house with iron sheets, TV and a solar energy system. I also want to finish my studies, and like I said earlier, become a journalist… DREAMS – What is your craziest dreams? I want to travel to Europe, especially in Ireland. Why Ireland? Even if it rains all the time (smile), a good friend of mine, who worked as a missionary in the hospital, is Irish and already invited me.
