A tragedy
So much has changed in the past 3 years. In many ways the world will
never be the same.
When I visited Monze at the end of 2019 I couldn't have imagined what
was about to happen and that it would be three years before I could
return to my “Second Home”. When I return unfortunately some
familiar faces will no longer be around.
In April Fr. Kenan died in tragic circumstances.
I was first introduced in 2007 to Fr. Kenan by Diliwe a parishioner
at St. Gregory's church in Cheltenham. She was a nurse who I
understand did some training at Monze Mission Hospital. She came
across Fr. Kenan when she was living in London where he was helping
out during holidays from a course in Maidstone, Kent.
I invited Fr. Kenan to visit us in Cheltenham and he stayed with us
for a couple of days and con celebrated mass at St Gregory's church.
I went out to Monze later that year and Fr. Kenan followed me back
and took up the post of chaplain at Monze Mission Hospital. He
invited me to stay at his mother's home for a weekend. Their home was
well away from any discernable road, without mains electricity or
water - but she had a solar panel which she used to charge neighbours
mobile phones! It was one of the best and most memorable weekends
that I have ever experienced.
During the following years our friendship developed. One day he was
showing me around the parish grounds and buildings at the cathedral
church in Monze where he had become Parish Priest and we came across
a pool table! I must have expressed an interest because very soon a
friendly sporting rivalry developed between us. This eventually
developed to include many of the local priests. His call when left
with the black ball to pot - “Champions only need one shot on the
black” will stay with me as his epitaph.
He was always very generous towards me – providing accommodation at
the presbytery when needed and transport to allow me to see local
sights and meet various groups. He introduced me to Our Lady of the
Wayside from where the link with St. Gregory's Church became
established.
In 2011 when Dilys and my granddaughter Amy visited, he took us to
Livingstone for a very memorable trip which included an amazing
experience - seeing a vast range of animals in the National park as
he drove us.
A few years back I was privileged to be with Fr. Kenan at his
mother's bedside shortly before she died.
May they rest in peace.
I have kept in regular contact with some of my close friends in
Monze. Jennipher and Diven keep me very busy with their projects and
the scrapes they get into!
Life has been challenging everywhere during the past 3 years. What
seems clear is that the poorest have, as usual, suffered more than
others. In Zambia there is very little Government support for the
poorest. For those who were unable to continue with their businesses
there was no furlough! The cost of living crisis is affecting people
in Zambia, which means that a desperately difficult life just became
worse.
The harvest this year seems to have been mixed. The rains seemed be
to be OK but they continued well beyond the usual April start of the
dry season and some of the crops were ruined.
There is a lot to catch up on when I return. A number of friends are
struggling and I hope we can devise ways of helping them to move
forward with confidence.
There are very many people in Monze that I have not been in contact
with since my visit in 2019 and I am keen to catch up. How has Rasta
Brian fared? Is Ireen still busy with her sewing machine on the High
Street? How is Obert doing with his taxi and how are his family? And
what about my friend who provides me with spices in the market? There
are so many people who have become friends over the years and I am
looking forward to catching up.
As I prepare for my next visit I bring so many people to mind and
remember them in my prayers.
Chris.
