Tuesday 14th May
It is not easy to
slow down!! Today I woke and had nothing planned. I began to wonder
how I would fill the day!! I told myself that I didn't have to do
anything – I could just relax, enjoy time on the porch and perhaps
go for a short walk in the bush in the afternoon.
So I settled down
with Huckleberry Finn and enjoyed the truly cloudless sky. After a
while the phone rang and it was Jennipher. She was heading into Monze
to meet with Delia and Diven at the hospital – could I call Diven?
When I called him, he had no money for the taxi fare to bring Delia
to the hospital.
A large chunk of
my day was about to be filled!!
I have talked to
Jennipher about my concern for Delia and yesterday she visited and
advised Delia to be tested for a variety of possible diseases.
Jennipher says she has seen some of her clients show similar symptoms
and thinks the tests might disclose what is wrong. Today she has
arranged that Delia and Diven meet her so they can progress matters.
I rushed to the
hospital in order to sort out the taxi!
Naturally I
arrived well in advance of Diven and family!! However, as I entered
the hospital I was greeted by Sichone. In 2004 he was the stores
manager and one of my first tasks was to look at the stores systems
and see if I could produce a computerised stock control system.
Sichone was new to computers at the time, but he gradually came to
understand what I was doing and, with Luke, we made good progress
over the years placing the stock records on the system. For a number
of years I spent at least 3 months in Zambia, working most days in
the hospital. This gave me a good opportunity to get to know my Monze
colleagues. A few years back Sichone was moved from the stores, but
about a year ago senior staff in the Health Service realised he
wasn't being fully utilised and insisted he returned. So he now has
taken up his former position.
Sichone insisted
that I used a comfortable seat he brought me to wait for Diven
outside the clinics.
Eventually Diven
appeared but not before other hospital staff members greeted me.
Needless to say Jennipher had not appeared. After half an hour or so
I rang her and she said she was on her way. Half an hour later she
said she had been stuck at Chisakasi, but was just setting off again.
Half an hour later she had left Chisakasi and would be with us in 20
minutes. 45 minutes later she arrived!! There had been an accident at
Manungu – a lorry had overturned trying to miss hitting a man
carrying charcoal on a bike! This had been the final delay!! (From
Pemba, where Jennipher lives, to Monze usually takes me 30 minutes
once I catch a bus!)
So we are now all
set!! Jennipher rushes into the clinics, obviously knowing her way
around! Soon a nurse comes from the cervical health clinic and says
that they don't do screening on Tuesdays - only Mondays, Wednesdays
and Fridays! However, if Delia comes tomorrow she will see to her.
The nurse stayed for a while prompted by Jennipher and advised Delia
to stop breastfeeding Lwendo. She talked for awhile providing
information and advice and it was agreed that the party would
re-assemble tomorrow.
While waiting for
Jennipher I spotted Teddy and went over to tell him the good news
about his laptop.
Returning to Diven
I was spotted by Robert! He greeted me in his usual way - “I'm
troubled”. Ever since I have known Robert he has been “troubled”
by one thing or another. How ever often I meet him there is another
trouble he forgot to tell me yesterday. I am sure that like many he
struggles, and eventually he might persuade me to help a little more
with some of his troubles – but not today!! Many people come to me
during the day and ask for money. I know they are probably in need,
but if I gave money to people just because they ask, I would be
inundated with beggars and so would every other “white” person
who visits Monze. Although to be honest, other than the two Italian
nuns at the churches, I have only noticed two other “white” faces
since I arrived almost two weeks ago - and they were in cars!!
Although effectively Robert is a beggar – he is not a stranger, I
have known him over quite a few years – he therefore gets a very
limited bit of support. I am sure we will meet again before my visit
is over.
It had been a long
morning – much of it chatting to Diven and playing with Lwendo. I
thought that a trip to Tooters might be in order, so I rang Obert
whose base is just around the corner from the hospital. I asked him
to pick up Delia and family. I walked the short distance to Tooters
and arrived just before the taxi!
So Diven, Delia,
Jennipher and Gertrude – who is helping Delia – together with
Paul and Lwendo joined me at Tooters where we had a meal and some
soft drinks. We chatted some more and at last Paul started to
interact with me and play a bit.
By now 10 hrs had
become 15 hrs and the emptiness of the day was a distant memory!! It
would be easy to say that I wasted the day, but in fact I believe
that it was very valuable. Passing the time with friends is what I
count as my real purpose in life. My brief meeting with Ian reminded
me of the rapport and interaction we used to enjoy in the stores.
Bringing together Diven's family and Jennipher is valuable because
she is a useful guide for them. I also think that I have made a
breakthrough with Paul who finished laughing with me rather than
crying. Unless we are prepared to “waste time” with people we
will never build the trust needed to develop an understanding of
their lives and their challenges.
Maybe another free
day will appear – though with so little time left I rather doubt
it!! I know I have activities planned for tomorrow, Friday and
Saturday and next week is my last week in Monze – I will leave
early on the following Tuesday.
Take Care,
Chris
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