Selina Shakele 2001 - 2020
In 2004 I met Jennipher. She came to the hospital guest house where I was staying and was looking for some support. At this time Jennipher had just started taking ARVs (antiretrovirol drugs) to control AIDs. Jennipher had two children of her own, one was stillborn and the other died very young.
The rate of HIV infection was, and still is, very high in Zambia. Many young people die from the
disease. Jennipher lost a number of siblings in the 90s and early 2000s and took in their children as her own. Selina became part of Jennipher's family when she was a baby.
When I returned to Zambia in 2005 Jennipher introduced me to her family. At this time Selina was a small toddler. There are two reactions to me from very young children in Zambia. They are either frightened and scream every time they see me or they smile and we make friends. Selina was of the latter temperament. I have always enjoying playing with my children and grandchildren and Selina would easily burst into laughter as she bounced on my knee and we played some games.
It wasn't very long before Jennipher's family became an extended part of my family. Each year I make several visits to Jennipher's home and she regularly comes around to wherever I am staying in Monze, Zambia. Sometimes she visits with some of her family. In 2014 she came to the UK and stayed at our home.
Over the years I would be greeted by smiles as Selina ran into my arms. Jennipher always has plenty of children around - some of whom she unofficially adopted. Selina had plenty of playmates and as she got older she would help look after some of the younger children.
As with all children life has it's events and challenges. Life in Pemba means being close to the land and animals. Vegetables are grown in the garden, chickens provide eggs and meat, goats give milk and are killed on special occasions.
In 2008 Selina broke an arm and spent several weeks in Monze Mission Hospital under traction - a great burden for an active child. I happened to be in Monze at the time and made several visits to see her in the hospital.
She went to the local school and in time passed her grade 9 exams and progressed to secondary school. She was a boarder at Pemba Secondary School. Boarding in Zambia is very different to what we are familiar with in the UK - for instance you need to bring your own mattress, soap etc! It meant that in recent years she was not aways able to egt to meet me.
A couple of years back Selina became pregnant and gave birth to a baby girl - who was named Maria after a friend of mine who Jennipher came to know when she visited the UK and who died last year from cancer. Maria has been brought up by Jennipher while Selina continued her studies.
Last year Selina improved her grade 12 results and started an agricultural course at an institute near the capital Lusaka.
In June I was told that Selina tested positive for COVID 19. Apparently she had to go into quarantine, but didn't require any treatment. During this month (August) she became ill and was taken to hospital where I understand the doctors recommended treatment with insulin. I discussed the issue with Jennipher. It is always very difficult to try to assess medical issues and relevant treatment in Zambia. My medical knowledge is extremely limited, medical facilities in Zambia are very poor and obtaining good advice is not easy. Jennipher suggested that Selina returned with her to Pemba where she thought she could get the relevant treatment and I agreed that would seem to be a sensible approach.
Selina spent a couple of days in the clinic, where I understand she was given a course of insulin treatment.
She returned home with Jennipher but awoke early the next morning, was sick and soon passed away.
Selina was a very part of my Zambian family and I will miss her a lot. Like so many she was taken too soon and never reached her potential.
May she rest in peace.
Chris
