Catching up with Friends

Yesterday was particularly busy at home with visitors. I was delighted to see Solomon looking well and cheerful. He makes some very nice bags with his wife and sells them to a variety of people including the museum in Livingstone.

Solomon looks after Jennipher's children Obadia and Emmanuel with his wife. Jennipher's death left Solomon and the children traumatised, but it seems that they are gradually moving forward positively. Solomon told me that he had some ducks – though some were stolen. They produce large eggs. He also has a number of goats and aims to increase the numbers. He also managed to produce a few bags of maize last year and hopes to grow a bigger crop this year.

After lunch I had a surprise visit from Sampson. This was another delight. Sampson had heard that I was back in town and decided to find me.

Sampson and his brother were orphaned a young age and supported each other as a family without an adult. Mrs Sianga offered them some support and they were provided with a small house. They were enrolled at PIZZ School and Mrs Sianga continued to keep a caring eye on them.

Sampson now has a small stall and told me he was doing well. He can put food on the table and he even has a smartphone! He intends to increase his stock and grow the business. I passed his stall this morning on my way to PIZZ School and it looks good.

I wonder what would have become of Sampson and many like him without the compassion of Mrs Sianga and the support of PIZZ.

Transformation Through Education wants to ensure that every child from PIZZ School leaves with the best opportunity to achieve their potential, providing all the education and training necessary – even paying university fees for children with the capability to progress that far. We need a lot of help to achieve this. If you want to find out more about the charity and how to donate please check out our website. Transformation Through Education

Chris Barrell

A Blood Moon

What a privilege it is to be able to spend time here in Zambia. I haven't seen a single cloud since I arrived almost two weeks ago.

Clear skies and a moon that rises very quickly in the sky are ideal conditions to observe a lunar eclipse. Yesterday Raymond joined me for supper and we then went into the garden to observe the eclipse. I don't think that it was possible to have a better view. We watched as the moon was covered by the earth's shadow and became a small red ball – a Blood Moon. A beautiful sight, which photos cannot fully describe.

It puts our efforts in perspective when God plays games with the stars and planets!

I continue to work with Mrs Sianga to make PIZZ the dream we have for all the children attending the school. We need more supporters, please consider joining us – you can find out more at Transforamtion Through Education .

In the UK one of my recreations is playing pool. Here it is a great delight to play against the local people. A few years back a small pool room was opened in Monze with four tables. On Saturday I put my head through the curtain and asked if I could have a game. The practice here is that the winner stays at the table and plays the next in the queue. I waited my turn.

Usually I am regarded with interest and a little confusion. Who is this elderly white man wanting to play pool with Zambian men. Does he know which way to hold the cue?

My first shot was not impressive – the ball bounced on the cloth and flew off the table. No doubt confirming the view that I didn't know what I was doing! I blame it on the different size of cues!! Anyway things got better and I stayed on the table, finally losing my fourth game. So at my first outing this year, 3-1 to me. I don't expect to keep up this record, but at least I think I established myself as a worthy opponent.

The wonderful thing about pool in Zambia is that the differences – culture, history, lifestyle etc. - mean nothing. On the pool table we play as equals.

Best wishes,

Chris

Safely back in Monze

It is wonderful to be back in Monze, Zambia again.

I was blessed by a good journey – 3 seats to stretch out on from London to Nairobi, plus a large gin and tonic and bottle of wine ( I actually returned a second bottle, which was a first for me). I was able to avoid waiting at Lusaka intercity bus station because I was picked up from a nearby petrol station instead. As a result I arrived in Monze at 15.30 – another record!!

Everything is very familiar and little has changed in the past 20 years. Ladies still carry goods on their heads, lads transport goods on wheelbarrows and the rear of pick-up trucks are filled with church groups en route to a Christian camp or other gathering. I feel very comfortable in this environment, but it's a pity more progress hasn't been made.

I have a lot to sort out this year to ensure the ongoing success of PIZZ School and the students that attend. However I must still find time for my friends.

A number have popped around for a chat and a drink, or supper. Raymond, Diven, Brian and Mr. and Mrs Musika have visited and Mrs and Mr Sianga have met to start our discussions. Others have greeted me along the main road, which I meet at the end of my drive.

Yesterday I attended church at Our Lady of the Wayside and enjoyed the lively service with plenty of singing, some dancing and applause. A number of parishioners that I know greeted me and we will catch up over the coming days.

I was amazed to find power without interruption. So when it vanished on Sunday night I was caught out a little and even more so yesterday when there was no power in the morning when I woke and it only returned at 16.55 – just in time for me to cook supper!!

It is quiet in my bungalow – apart from the cockerel who keeps his brood of chickens outside my entrance. The past couple of years it has vibrated to the sound of a night club less than 100 metres away. I am told that new tenants will move in – hopefully not as loud!

I have started cooking, but for lunch I have some sandwiches. Marmalade or peanut butter sandwiches were boring me, so I went for my favourites – banana or cornflake and mayonnaise sandwiches. If you haven't tried them you haven't lived!!

Best wishes,

Chris

Heading back to Zambia

Once more I am preparing to set off for Zambia. I will be in Monze next week.

22 years after my first trip I will meet up with people I met on that visit. Diven and Raymond have become friends over the years. I will probably bump into Captain who was in charge of the concrete blocks I helped to make for building the ICU at Monze Mission Hospital. I usually see Mike who worked at the guest house Nampeyo – now Moonlite.- where we lodged in 2003 and sometimes I see
Christopher.

Mrs. Sianga took me to meet her patients when I first went to Monze. That visit made me realise there was a lot more to Zambia than you could see from the main road .I have tried to learn more ever since. I am now heavily involved in her wonderful project giving hope to some of the most disadvantaged children in Monze.

Of course these people will be joined by the many friends that I have made in the years in between.

I am almost packed! This year I will take the bird book that arrived a couple of days after I left last year. I will swap my garden with robins and blue tits for the one at Truckers with the beautiful violet breasted rollers and blue eared starlings.

You can follow my trip here and meet some of my friends.

Best wishes,

Chris

 

Elephants, the end of my treatment - Shirt 20

 

One of the first things I did when I received my Prostate Cancer diagnosis was to book a visit to Monze. I wasn't sure what effect the treatment would have and wanted to check out the situation particularly in relation to PIZZ School. While there, I came acrross this material displaying elephants.There is a lot that is wonderful about elephants. They are animals that look after each other. They are gentle giants and are my favourite animals.

It was therefore fitting to finish my radiotherapy wearing this shirt.

Patients are invited to mark the end of their treatment by ringing the bell. It was also an opportunity to thank the radiotherapy staff for looking after me and halting the progress of the cancer.

We have so much to be thankful for here in the UK. I have lost many friends in Zambia over the years – some might be still be with us if some of the facilities that we enjoy were available there.

Many children in Zambia die because of poverty. Undernourished children are probably the norm. These are not the children displayed in some of charity adverts who are close to starvation. They look healthy at first glance, but they are underweight and their diet lacks the nourishment needed. They are susceptible to disease and lack the resistence when disease strikes. For many getting to a hospital or clinic is difficult or impossible and they cannot afford to pay for medicine or treatment.

At PIZZ School the children receive a meal each day and if they become ill the project tries to ensure they they can receive treatment. This is only possible because of the funding provided by Transformation Through Education. Please consider sponsoring a child at PIZZ School or giving a donation.

My radiotherapy treatment finished at the end of August, since when my PSA results – initially 83.4 - have recorded two readings <0.1. I am very grateful for the treatment I have received. I am sure that if I had delayed, even for a short time, the outcome could have been very different.

I will continue to use my energy to help the children of Monze escape from the depths of poverty, but there is a long way to go.

With love and prayers,

Chris

Being Brave - shirt 19

 

 

I am grateful to my granddaughter Amy for putting together the photos and videos of my shirts. This one mentions being brave. I wouldn't say I am brave, unless it is brave to wear bright African shirts on the streets of Cheltenham. I'll admit that having a diagnosis of cancer focusses the mind. I feel that I have been very fortunate. It appears that the treatment has worked to arrest the disease. However I have inevitably been reminded of my mortality. I am 75 years old and it is a huge task to ensure that the children at PIZZ School have a good future, which I see as my key task at the moment. My job is to ensure that the charity is on a secure footing in the time that I have left.

I am given courage by the support that I have. Everyone that joins us on this mission makes the task a bit easier – if you want to join us, or just find out a little more, please use this link Transformation Through Education .

With love and prayers,

Chris

 

Zambia and UK, how do they compare? Shirt 18

 

 

How do we compare two such different environments?

Poverty, lack of facilities and support infrastructure lead many to leave Zambia for an easier life. However if you like a climate where the maximum daily temperature is invariably mid twenties to low thirties, where the sun shines virtually every day throughout the year - 7 – 8 hours of sunshine represents a dull day! Maybe Zambia is for you.

I love the fresh fruit and vegetables which explode with vibrant scent as soon as you cut into them. As for the mangoes!! Well you have never lived until you've eaten a fresh mango just plucked off the tree. As for wildlife – the birds are bright, beautiful and plentiful. You have to head towards a National Park to see the giraffes, zebra, antelopes, lions, hippos etc. Although you might have to wait a while in Livingstone to allow the elephants cross the road! By the way the National Parks have no fences, but the animals are given some protection.

Personally I don't think that anyone would want to leave Zambia if it wasn't such an economically poor country.

PIZZ aims to help children and their families enjoy the life available in Zambia without having to worry that once again they will go to bed hungry. If you would like to help us achieve this aim please check out this link Transformation Through Education .

 

Best wishes,

Chris