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Byron L.’s Story

Site created on March 18, 2020

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to encourage family and friends to share stories about our brother Byron (AKA: Mawingo) who since 1985 has lived a full, rich life in the mountains of northern Malawi among the people he loved so much. He passed away in Rumphi on March 17, 2020, but he will live in on the hearts of the many people whose lives he touched over his years at Rainbow Cottage on Mawingomara farm. The farm's name comes from an indigenous word that poetically means: these clouds too shall pass. And the cottage was named for rainbows because of the light and joy we all find in the spectrum of light found in a rainbow. Mawingo came to Malawi at age 45 as a Peace Corps Volunteer and embraced life there. Following his Peace Corps tenure, he taught at Pwezi Secondary school for many years and began developing land at the farm he envisioned in the mountains above beautiful Lake Malawi. Over the years people arrived to work with him. They planted various crops and ultimately began to cultivate timber, planting 50,000 seedlings each year. He orchestrated the building of schools and a mill, he helped bring water down from the mountain, and he spent much of his time mentoring young people on their reading and writing so they could attend school. Over the years he assisted hundreds of students with the cost of tuition, books, fees, and additional expenses. But more importantly, he mentored everyone he met. He was a kind, gentle man with a clever wit and a sparkle in his eye. He was well-read and a great storyteller with a delightful laugh. He practiced his faith by living it and he introduced others to Christian Science. Mawingo lived modestly, but generously and with enthusiasm. He was isolated from electricity and the Internet. He loved his dogs and his chickens. He was a prodigious writer of letters. He was a blessing to all he met. He will be missed, but he will be long remembered. I am grateful he was part of my life. - Virginia, The Baby Sister

Newest Update

Journal entry by Virginia Pulver — Mar 31, 2020

Hello. I have posted some videos of Byron Jeys Mawingo's funeral last Tuesday at Mawingomara Farm. I put them on my Facebook page because I could not get them to load here. Feel free to visit my page and view them. You may share them if you wish. Find me on FB at Virginia J. Pulver. I intend to post a few stories and updates here soon, but frankly, between the Covid-19 worldwide pandemic, the administrivia associated with dying, and my aching heart, I just cannot seem to focus on sharing stories about my delightful, departed brother. In the days to come, I may well post more images and tales. Meanwhile, thank you so much for the calls, cards, letters and memorials you have graciously shared with me during these dark days. Mawingo's sister, his daughter, and grandsons are all grateful for the love and generosity you have shared, Pleas stay in touch. - Ginn, In Sunny SC

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