Friday 11th
October
During
this years visit I was aware that hunger would would become an
increasing issue as the year progressed.
The
people in Monze are struggling and all my friends give me the same
message. There are a lot of people having problems finding enough
food. The problem is made worse because water is hard to obtain and
electricity is being rationed.
Jennipher
has bought maize and mealie meal for her groups – using charities
and government schemes.
At
Our Lady of the Wayside church there have been changes. Fr. Wilson
has been appointed Parish Priest and Fr. Clement has transferred to
Mary Queen of Peace, Chirundu which is very close to the border with
Zimbabwe.
Both
Fr. Wilson and Fr. Clement have written to me asking for help for the
people of Our Lady of the Wayside, because many are already suffering
from hunger. An appeal at St. Gregory's church has raised about
£2,000 in a couple of weeks - this will make a difference. Water is
still available at the church and queues of people come from nearby
to collect it.
My
16 years visiting Monze gives me a glimpse of the reality of life in
Zambia. However I have never had to experience hunger myself and the
more time I spend in the Country the more I realise that my
understanding is very far from complete. However when I come home it
becomes difficult for people to have any understanding of the severe
challenges people face and the urgency of the need. Perhaps the fact
that I have many friends in Monze makes it more difficult to believe
that they can be in danger of dying from hunger.
The
Zambian Government are keen to say that they are in control and have
not declared an emergency – which would attract additional support.
In reality the Government is not supplying enough support to deal
with the hunger crisis and people will be dying.
I
am currently trying to decide whether to visit Monze in the next few
weeks. My visit earlier in the year was not long enough and I want to
know how people are coping. The mangoes will also be ripe very soon!!
Please
pray for the people of Monze.
Chris
