Sunday 17th
November
It is already Sunday evening. This is my second visit when I have
come independently. In theory this allows me to be very free and take
time out. I have hardly stopped since I arrived.
In time I will say more about my friends, but if I give potted life
stories as I go along I will have written a book.
Soon after I arrived on Thursday Fr. Wilson (Parish Priest of Our
Lady of the Wayside) called around with a torch. He was followed
quickly – in fact Jennipher arrived before he left - Jennipher is
a friend I met in 2004.
On Friday I wanted to meet up with Mrs. Sianga - the founder and
Director of PIZZ School and Diven. I could contact neither by phone.
I first needed to buy some essentials – particularly tea bags,
cornflakes and milk!! I find it hard to function without tea – a
few hours without caffeine and I can hardly function!! It is
surprising, though I hardly eat cornflakes in the UK I find them very
comforting here. All these items are more expensive here than in the
UK.
I returned home and at 11hrs I experienced electric power for the
first time since reaching Monze and had my first cup of tea since my
flight from Nairobi the previous morning!
I decided to have a cooked meal while I had the chance and made
enough for Jennipher who arrived at the appropriate time. She has
been staying with a client who is very ill and in Monze Hospital. She
was staying at Jennipher's house when I visited last year. There are
essential medicines and other items which the hospital do not provide
at present.
I headed to see Diven, but on my way Mr. Sianga spotted me and pulled
his car off the road. I hadn't been able to contact his wife before
leaving home – it was therefore quite a surprise to see me in
Monze. He gave me a big hug – which is not uncommon when I meet old
friends – male or female. I told him that I was on my way to see
Mrs Sianga and should be there by 15hrs – it being about 13.30. At
this time I was still with Jennipher who wanted me to meet her
patient again. I was pleased to see
the woman. While there Ireen (my tailor) appeared – and yes another
big hug! Though a reasonable sized town there is a close community
feel to Monze and I am always coming across friends.
Jennipher took me next to the ART department where they deal with the
Antiretroviral drugs programme for HIV/AIDS. In the meeting room a
girl said she knew me form PIZZ School and in the office I met
Collins - another hug. I stayed at his mother's house on one visit
while he was still at home. She was a nurse at Monze Mission Hospital
and tried to establish a pro-life organisation in Zambia.
Oh! on the way to ART I heard a distant, but loud, call from Sebia.
We first met many years ago when I was looking for a bus to Pemba
where Jennipher lives. Sebia has worked for a number of years at the
hospital tuckshop. Yes another big hug!!
I could hardly leave without seeing Teddy. Teddy has been a good
friend since 2004 when we worked closely together with a great mutual
friend – the late Bentoe who tragically was killed in a road
accident in 2006. Teddy joined us at the tuckshop – another big
hug!
Time was pressing! I hurried on –
only stopping for a quick hug with Brian – a Rasta guy who has a
very basic stall along the road from the robots. (Traffic Lights)
Diven was bathing so I quickly said hallo to his uncle and Delia his
wife – and yes!!
When I arrived at PIZZ School I realised Mrs Sianga wouldn't be there
and I had unnecessarily added at least 20 minutes to my journey. On
the way from the school I met Killian who has been helping Mrs Sianga
with the administration in recent years.
When Mr Sianga told his wife that I was in town she didn't believe
him! She seemed rather pleased to see that in deed I was not just an
apparition but had arrived in flesh and blood.
I blame Mrs. Sianga for making me fall in love with Monze and in
particular it's people. In 2003 I came in theory to build an ICU at
Monze Mission Hospital. I realised before I came that this couldn't
be the real reason. Our hosts were asked to show us a bit more of the
life and culture of the country. Mrs. Sianga was a full time nurse at
the time and her job was to visit patients with AIDS in their homes.
In 2003 ARVs (Antiretroviral Drugs) were not available so, other than
given some paracetamol tablets for the pain and some comforting
words, there was little that could be done. Invariably the patients
died. I had the tremendous privilege of accompanying Mrs. Sianga one
afternoon. I was welcomed into the very basic houses of women in the
final days of their lives. It was a humbling experience and one that
I have repeated many times in the following years – though
thankfully ARVs are now readily available. Mrs. Sianga got to know
the families and wanted to help the children who had been left
behind. So PIZZ School was born and with support from Hands Around
the World has flourished.
Chris
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