A Tragedy

 

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.