Isn't Technology wonderful!

This afternoon I had a video call with my son Andy using WhatsApp.

I took him for a tour along the main road and behind some of the shops. Scenes familiar to me were less usual for him. At first he didn't recognise the wheelbarrows. Here wheelbarrows take many shapes and sizes depending on what goods are to be carried. In the UK they are used in gardens and are generally the same shape.

Lorries are longer here, often including a trailer, Bicycles in the uk are for one person with a helmet, there are not usually makeshift stalls at the side of the road and trucks are not usually filled with people.

Let's just say that Andy was able to get a good picture of life here – one that, without the technology, would not have been possible.

I have offered friends and family the offer of a video call. Obviously this can't be an entirely open invitation, but for friends reading this blog please get in touch if you would like a tour!

Of course another thing that technology can offer is a very simple way to donate money for a bag of cement to complete the foundations of the Science Lab at PIZZ school. All you need to do is click the link below.

https://checkout.justgiving.com/

Thanks,

Chris

 

We have Power!

 

At least the sun is shining. In fact it is still unusual to see any clouds here.

The power came back just long enough for me to boil water for my second cup of tea, but not long enough to reboil water for my flask. Still the water is now warm enough for a cup of coffee or two.

The internet came back – still no power!

I sat down in the garden at Truckers. It is relaxing with a variety of trees planted as well as a variety of birds – though I saw only saw Pied Crows and House Sparrows this morning. Unless you count the chickens.

Now we have power and possibly internet as well.

These and many other difficulties face everyone here. Teaching under these conditions also has its challenges.

Today is to try to publicise Transformation through education and raise funds for the school. You can find out about our 50 day challenge here.

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/buildingasciencelab

Chris

Social Media Weekend

This weekend I am trying to wake up my social media connections.

I often wake up to a relatively cool but beautifully sunny day and think how lucky I am. This place is wonderful! But for many children life is a struggle.

I thought that the Jacaranda trees were about finished flowering, but WOW there are some immense trees in the garden full of their blue flowers – some falling to the ground covering it like confetti.

During the week I had another surprise visit. This time from Nancy and her mother. I had feared that I wouldn't see her this year because she was no where to be seen. So it was a great joy to meet up. I remember meeting Nancy when she was at a small pre-school on the edge of Monze – many years back! She had a special sparkle in her eye that caught my attention. The potential I spotted then has proved well founded. She knows what she wants and is determined to get there. She had problems at her last school which was some distance from Monze so she decided to come back home. she sold a few items she had to buy a new school uniform and some books and enrolled at a local school. She now wants to go to a boarding school not far away where she can study more! She is unhappy that she only has three hours of school at present “it's not enough”. She says she will become a nurse – no she doesn't want to be a doctor “I want to be a nurse”.

This weekend I am trying to GO VIRAL and help other children like Nancy achieve their dreams. This is our charity Facebook page Transformation Through Education

I will give brief updates throughout the day.

Chris

We're Building a Science Lab

As usual time is passing very quickly here in Monze.

We have had large swarms of moths over the past few days. At night they find a way into my house and thanks to my mosquito killer they cover the floor by the morning. The weather is getting hot – low to mid 30s with the occasional cloud, but still mainly cloudless skies. We have also had a couple of windy days.

The bird life has perked up recently. I had wondered why the flocks of sparrows contained only males. The reason is that they are not sparrows but Bronze Mannequins. However there are some house sparrows – today enjoying bathing in the bird bath. The mannequins along with a couple of Blue Waxbills were having great fun playing in the spray from a sprinkler in the garden. The Fork Tailed Drongos (the first birds I identified in Zambia many years ago) are around as in an African Pied Wagtail. There is also a bird I cannot identify – the nearest I can see is an Oxpecker – it has a very distinctive yellow stripe under its eye. The Pied Crows and Common Bulbils are ever present. The flowers are coming into bloom heralding the coming rains but the mangoes are all but invisible. Whether I will taste a fresh mango before I leave is doubtful.

I have shown a few people around via WhatApp video. The garden is a nice view, but it is on the Great North Road at the bottom of my drive that you start to get a feel for Africa. Appropriate since I am told that the road stretches from Cape Town in the south to Cairo in the North!

Today I was invited for lunch with Obert and his family. They killed a village chicken for me – happily not in my presence. The village chickens are special in that they peck around finding their own food and wander some distance. As a result they are particularly tasty. I enjoyed mine with some nshima and 'soup' contained onions, tomatoes and other vegetables. My friends make a lot of effort to prepare special food for me – I am very privileged.

I came across Alec – Sampson's brother during the week. He told me that he now has his licence to drive lorries. He needs to get approval to carry goods and he will then try to get work. He then wants his dangerous goods licence!

Our campaign to get funds to buy 250 bags of cement in 50 days for the Science Lab foundations is now live on JustGiving you can check out the campaign and buy a bag of cement by following this link

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/buildingasciencelab 

 

Best wishes,

 

Chris

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