Malawi, one of the poorest countries in Africa, faced particularly difficult challenges during the COVID pandemic. Students were not allowed to return to campus at the end of the Easter break 2020. A good number live in very rural settings with poor or no access to Internet. Few have laptops and some don't even have a smartphone. Most are now back on campus - and PPE is now available, as are some more devices and better data provision for the many who have no broadband at home. Emma Thomson, head of medical teaching, reflects on experience with clinical assessments in this environment.