PIZZ School A Wonderful Project

My main reason for visiting Zambia this year was to meet with Mrs Sianga who has become a great friend over the years.

As I have said in previous blogs, she is the inspiration who made me return to Monze year after year to learn a little about the people, the culture and theirchallenges and get to make some friends in the process.

As a nurse Mrs. Sianga was supporting people dying of AIDS when I met her in 2003. The women died leaving orphans. It was to support these children and keep them off the streets that she started PIZZ School for orphaned and vulnerable children. Over the years the school has developed and with the help of donors, who are also committed to the support of these children, many students have been given the opportunity to develop and reach some of the great potential they possess.

I spent quite a lot of time time with Mrs. and Mr. Sianga during this visit trying to provide support during what is very difficult time for them. Mrs. Sianga is not well – suffering from high blood pressure. The school has continued to provide remarkable support for the children through COVID, however it is possible that new donors will need to be sought to ensure that the prospects of the children are not compromised.

On Monday evening – my last full day in Monze – Mr. and Mrs. Sianga took me to a good restaurant for a farewell meal. We chatted about many things including the future of the children. My nshima and Talapia (also known as St. Peter's fish) was excellent! Mrs. Sianga told me that when she received a vaccine booster she recognised a young man. He was a former student – now a lab technician. I told her about meeting Samson who was rescued with his brother by Mrs. Sianga. I told her he is now working in a shop outside Monze Market and she told me that Alick, his brother, is now a bricklayer and a very good one.

I travelled to Lusaka on Tuesday. While waiting for the bus, a boy came over to me and said he knew me because he used to be a student at PIZZ School – he was working for one of the bus companies. Arriving in Lusaka I caught a taxi to Longacres Lodge. In Lusaka there has been a lot of work on the roads – generally for the better! Robots (traffic lights) are now common and many bridges, or overpasses, have been constructed at roundabouts to ease traffic flow. One such has been constructed since my last visit at Longacres and it seems to have changed the nature of the place, as well as confusing me no end!

On Wednesday I rose at about 6.30 and then wondered how to fill the next few hours until 22 hrs! I had breakfast and formally checked out at 10, leaving my cases at reception, by which time I had printed boarding cards for my flights and topped up my talktime. I then headed for the Catholic Cathedral which is just behind the hotel – though it is a good walk around the roads - there being no obvious short cut.

I have previously found the cathedral a pleasant place to spend some time on my final day in Zambia. At first it appeared closed, but I found a small door ajar around the side and spent some time in prayer.

I remembered a grotto, mirroring the one in Lourdes where St. Bernadette is said to have seen Our Lady, the mother of Jesus, and which meant so much to me when I used to visit for many years with very sick and severely disabled people. I have always felt blessed because I feel closest to God when I am with the most vulnerable in society and gain so much from developing friendships with them. In Lourdes there are always flowers and birds – mainly sand martins.

The grotto at the cathedral has been moved and enhanced. It is set in what I term a lovely garden with trees, grass and flowers attracting many birds. I was treated to seeing a bird with enormous tails – I believe it was a paradise flycatcher. Swifts flew above and a variety of small birds, that I couldn't identify, flitted about keeping me company. On my way out of the cathedral complex I was treated to a display by a violet breasted roller.

In previous years I have visited Kabwata village which provides craftsmen with an opportunity to sell their products. I hadn't a map with me this year, so I wasn't sure that I would find it. I set off from Longacres and almost immediately came across a man with a stall selling some reasonable quailty items. He told me he also sold at Kabwata. I had plenty of time still to kill, so I told him that I would return and buy something. I half-heartedly headed off, vaguely thinking I might find the village, but soon decided to enjoy a walk and return to buy from this craftsman instead.

My route from Longacres took me past the Holiday Inn, various Government offices and State House. A little further I found the Anglican Cathedral. I hadn't visited before, so I decided to check it out. I enjoyed looking around at the variety of altars and noticed that everywhere there were screens installed. This is an innovation I think Catholic Churches should adopt! I had a chance to pray again. The cleaner was obviously enjoying her work, listening to appropriate music as she worked.

I returned, but by this time could feel that I was becoming dehydrated. So I told my man to be patient while I got myself a cup of tea and a bit more cash.

As usual when I again came to the artist, I got a bit carried away and filled my backpack with various objects. I couldn't resist a large giraffe, then wondered whether it would fit in my case!

I returned to the cathedral grotto with my goods and spent more time with Mary, her son and the birds!

When Mawini heard that I was back in Zambia she said that she would like to see me. I failed to see her in Monze so she agreed to come to the hotel to meet me.

Mawini told me that she never thought that she would go to school because her mother couldn't afford to buy her the uniform etc. She was surprised and delighted when she was offered a place at PIZZ School. She initially wore her own clothes, but was proud when she was given a new uniform. She thinks that she first came to know me when she was 8 or 9. Mawini was a keen and bright student and gradually came towards the top in class – eventually becoming number one. She passed her exams at grade 7 and grade 9 and was sponsored to complete her education at a secondary boarding school. I met her before she took her grade 12 exams and she told me that she wanted to be a doctor. It was clear that she was extremely bright and had that potential.

A few weeks later I was at a church service with David Steiner and we had been invited to say a few words. When I stood up I had no idea what I would say, but I remembered Mawini and I told some of her story. After the service a doctor in the congregation said that he would like to sponsor Mawini and so she was given the opportunity to study at the University of Zambia in Lusaka. God works in mysterious ways!

Some confusion with some exams meant she had to change to a veterinary course midway through her studies.

Mawini showed me her card authorising her as a veterinary surgeon. She is working currently at the University and seems extremely busy. She told me that she is very happy as a vet. She will be flying to Kenya in a couple of weeks to take part in a conference and hopes to go to Japan later in the year to study for a doctorate.

Like many of the students from PIZZ, Mawini would never have had a chance to pursue her dreams without the care provided at the school. There are currently about 650 students at the school – all with their dreams - and in years to come many more orphaned and vulnerable children, with their own dreams will hope to receive the care and support needed to bring them to fulfilment. I really hope that the school will be able to continue to provide this.

With love and prayers,

Chris.

Visiting Jennipher's Village

Time flies! This will almost certainly be the last blog I write in Zambia this year.

Jennipher rang before 9 hrs to say that she had sent someone to pick me up and take me to Pemba. At about 9.30 the driver, or the conductor! of the car rang to say he was on his way. He rang again at about 10 hrs. Jennipher asked me to ring him a few minutes later to check that he was still coming! He arrived at about 10.20 in, by local standards, a very smart car.

So we started off towards Pemba picking up passengers as we went. I was privileged having the front passenger seat to myself. There were at least 5 people in the back of this small car at one point – plus a child or two which aren't counted here. Eventually we picked up speed at came to the outskirts of the town. We dropped off two passengers and turned around heading back into town! When we reached the centre we turned again and swapped drivers!. We then slowly set off again in the direction of Pemba picking up further passengers whenever possible. I suppose that by about 11.15 we were out of Monze and on our way.

At Pemba Jennipher was waiting – probably for the past three hours! She swiftly loaded me and Solomon into another car and we set of on a dirt road into the bush. Gradually the roads became narrower and very far from flat! I have driven one or two of these myself and they are very challenging.

Jennipher's village is about 5 km from Pemba. This is the village where she grew up. A Zambian village is not a place with tarred roads, mains electricity or water – though these days mobile phones are commonplace and the signal is good! Even cars are a rarity. I was told that you could go for a week without seeing a car. Buildings are far apart. A family might have a few structures – a house, kitchen, store etc. Then 200 or 300 metres away another family would have the same. It was unusual to be able to see a neighbours house from another. It would be found by following a winding path or two through the light bush.

For me it was wonderful to be somewhere without any traffic noise! Beautiful peaceful countryside, but of course I can now return to my comforts.

The young children cannot walk the 4 km each way to school so they are wanting to build a pre-school in the village. They have started constructing a church and thought that since services are only once a week, they could use the structure for the rest of the week. They can get bricks, but would need to buy cement. Something like £60 is needed to complete the job.

They have two boreholes nearby, but the land is high and at this time of year the boreholes are dry. Women have to walk at least 2 km to fetch water. It's possible that the boreholes can be made deeper, but this sounds like an expensive job.

The youngsters haven't anything to do and are tempted to go into town and get into trouble. They want footballs and netballs. At least here I was able to help with two footballs which were given to me to bring to Zambia – one which the boys joyfully took and the other that the girls were given.

Many other challenges face this very poor community. A group of women who are vulnerable through AIDS or being widowed have got together as a formal group. They want to start raising village chickens to make some income. They will also need to find money to register the group in order to access seed, fertiliser and other items.

We walked around the village with various members of the community including Jennipher's aunt. We visited several graves including those of her mother and paternal grandmother. Jennipher would like to make the graves better by making a concrete top and a covering of black tiles – as would others in the community. At the moment the graves are marked with mounds of earth and a scattering of concrete pieces – the names of those interred are not present. They rely on relatives recognising the graves.

I try to help a bit where I can, but my resources are limited. It would be nice to be able to make a significant difference to the lives of the people in this village. It was a memorable day and I hope to visit again when I return to Monze.

I was provided with village chicken and nshima for lunch and after listening to the people and thanking them for their welcome we made our way back.

Bye from Monze,

Chris

More visitors and visits

It's not only friends that visit me here at my house! I have a small house frog that enjoys my shower, a sparrow came to say hallo in my second bedroom! Lizards regularly pop their heads in at the windows and I wouldn't feel at home here without the odd spider!

I visited the hospital briefly yesterday and chatted for a while with Sr Juunza, the Hospital Administrator. She told me that funding has been greatly increased and the number of doctors and nurses are dramatically higher than in former years. Hopefully this will greatly improve the outcomes at the hospital. I was surprised how many people at the hospital knew me.

I had a grand tour of the new Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, built since my last visit. It is an impressive building, very bright and peaceful inside. After my visit I met with the new Bishop – Bishop Raphael who greeted me with a big hug. We have known each other for some years, when he was a priest at our Lady of the Wayside.

A lot has happened over the past few days with visits to many friends including Obert's family where I caught up with Nancy. I also called in on Charles and Brian visited me at home.

I will be leaving for the UK very soon. The time has run away very fast.

Chris

Challenges Galore

Jennipher continues to bring Groups to see me. An HIV/AIDs support group wants to start raising village chickens. These chickens are allowed to roam freely and I think they also are a different breed to the usual “broilers”. They taste very different to the usual chickens – very rich and rightly prized. There seems to be more profit from these birds.

For some reason this group isn't part of a co-operative and doesn't therefore qualify for farming inputs. They do however qualify for a different scheme where each person pays 400 Kwacha to receive fertiliser worth about 6,000 kwacha. It was decided that the money nthey would have used to start rearing chickens would be better used to grow groundnuts using the 400 kwacha deal.

A couple of days back Diven noticed a leak close to his water tap. The meter was clocking up and the ground becoming wet. A plumber will be needed to rectify the leak. He is trying to find a buyer for his plot and a few posters are needed.

Obert lent his car to a friend who seems to have hit something, resulting in a leak from the gearbox. On further inspection driving on caused significant damage to the gearbox. As a taxi driver Obert needs to get back on the road.

Each day brings more challenges for people here in Monze. People come to me thinking I can help them with a job or advice on how to set up a business. The problem is that there are far too few local black Zambians who have acquired the skills to establish businesses. In Monze there is no industry so most people rely on buying and selling. However, larger businesses and supermarkets have made it almost impossible to produce enough income in this way.

Farming has been another way for people here to make a living, but with the unpredictability of the
weather caused by Global Warming this too is becoming very difficult. Last year the rain was too heavy and washed away fertiliser as soon as it was applied. As a result crops were very poor.

On Sunday I went to mass at Our Lady of the Wayside – about 2.5 km from where I stay. It is a joy to hear the singing booming out and filling the church. They have a fishpond in the grounds of the church to bring in some extra income. In the afternoon I met with St. Veronica's Small Christian Community for prayers. I joined this sub-section of the parish in 2005 or 2006. They talk almost entirely in Chitonga – so for much of Sunday I understand very little of what is being said – to my shame!. We meditate on next week's Gospel which I find enlightening. It is good to be part of this group – I am always warmly greeted – the older ladies giving me a very hearty slap of the hand and a handshake. Next week we will meet here at Truckers – saving me a walk of about 1.5 km each way.

I still find some time to sit in the garden. I need some space to think about what I am experiencing and how to attempt to resolve a few issues. A lot of prayer is needed at the moment and for me that means trying to be still and listening for a bit of guidance. Some years back when walking I started getting frustrated that I couldn't positively identify birds that I saw. I looked up and saw perched on a branch a completely black bird with a forked tail. Looking in my book I saw a bird that fitted the description. The book said Forked Tailed Drongo – the only perching bird which is totally black with a long forked tail. At last I could positively identify at least one bird!! Since then my identification has improved. The past few days I have seen the Forked Tailed Drongo flitting around the garden on a number of occasions.

I met Angelina at her stall this afternoon. I wanted to return her container which was filled with Chibwantu – a drink made from maize. She told me of family and friends who had recently lost wives, sisters, brothers and children. Two of the key members of St. Veronica's have lost their wives since I last visited. All these people are relatively young – perhaps 30s or 40s – some much younger.

I was told that during COVID nurses and doctors would keep away from patients from fear of catching the disease, though many of those Angelina mentioned died from other causes.

I passed by the shop where Samson works and we chatted for a while. He told me that his brother Alick sent his greetings. I bumped into Brian again and got his phone number. We agreed that we would meet at Truckers sometime and have a chat.

 

Chris

Familiar sounds and situations

On Saturday the power was off for most of the day. There have been a few power cuts since I have been here – this was the longest. Water has been very reliable - just a few minutes here and there when the water failed to come out of the taps! Fortunately this cottage is supplied from a borehole and it is unlikely that water will be a problem. Occasionally, if the pump is not switched on at the right time, there will be a short break. Others are not so lucky. Many still queue for water and buy it at municipal taps. As we come to the end of the dry season mains water can become a problem.

I visited my favourite little dam, or lake, yesterday. The water is very low, but there were spots where youngsters could show their acrobatic skills doing somersaults, there landings softened by the water – they could also swim a little. There were very few birds about. A couple of cattle egrets and a few African jacanas were all I spotted. Herds of cows were being led too and from the lake for a drink and to feed on the grass which still grows by the receding water. I had forgotten about the sound of the cow bells which now gently followed the herds. Goats were also at the lake in abundance. A donkey started neighing and two others from opposite sides of the lake joined in the donkey chorus – not the most melodic of sounds, but it made me smile!

The town has changed quite a lot since my last visit. There are quite a number of decent sized supermarkets, a few more restaurants and sophisticated electronics and phone shops that have moved in along the main street - the road to Lusaka. In fact this is part of the Great North Road, once intended to link Cairo to the Cape. From one of the phone shops I bought a new cable for my phone to download photos – I should therefore be able to populate this blog with pictures.

I continue to meet friends. Jennipher has brought me members of a number of support groups who are looking to raise extra funds or provide food in coming months. The government has established a system whereby groups can organise themselves into co-operatives. The government will then provide seed and fertiliser for planting as we come towards the rainy season. Most of the groups live on the edge of survival and even raising a few pounds to register or perhaps £50 or £60 to transport the goods is beyond them. If the money is found they can benefit from the government supplies, which are significant.

One of the groups to which Jennipher introduced me is a group that supports people with disabilities. They are going to buy second hand clothes for sale. Another supporting widows is buy flour and cooking oil to make fritters.

There are friends here with big challenges. For various reasons their lives have been disturbed and they need a lot of support to try to put things back on a steady footing. I have followed the lives and projects of som
e of my friends for many years through their ups and downs. It is disheartening when their dreams are shattered.

Yesterday I played pool for the first time this year. I invited Best to join me and very soon we were joined by the local players. The table is quite good, but I had difficulty adjusting to the cue which no longer has a tip! My success rate was poor, but I expect it to improve. I almost felt sorry for a guy when it looked like he was totally beaten. He then went into another gear and cleared the table!!

Best hit problems when his wife took ill. Costs of treatment took his assets and he has had a struggle. He thought he had cleared his exams to be elected to the Bar, but technicalities robbed him and he still has exams to clear before being considered again. Even for someone with a law degree life can present major problems.

Diven has a good house and shop, but finds he cannot do business in his current position, so is looking to sell up and start in another environment. His concern is the time it might take to find a buyer and how he will cope in the meantime.

Other friends, like Jennipher, are involved in the community and have established projects which are providing significant benefit for many. I try my best to support friends in their attempts to help others and fight to get their projects back on track.

Along the road I see guys pushing wheelbarrows of all shapes and sizes, designed for a variety of goods. Ladies carry bowls of fruit and vegetables on their heads and huge trucks trundle through the town – all very familiar to me, though different to back home.

Chris

Reading and Sitting in the Garden

I am not disappointed that my TVs only have local channels.

I very rarely have had access to the tv while in Zambia and it forces me to do other things – mainly reading. Today was a reading day. I finished my crime thriller by Margaret Yorke – she takes a lot of effort to build a picture of each character and her dark tales are perhaps a bit close to the truth. Ordinary people committing awful crimes. I am now on a John Grisham book which seems unfamiliar.

I almost had a day off! I enjoy meeting friends, but invariably they come with a host of challenges and sometimes it is good, and necessary, to take time out to contemplate and relax a bit. The garden continues to be a wonderful sanctuary. A lilac breasted roller spent time with me this morning. I have seen these beautiful birds before. One used to like to perch on the power line by PIZZ School. The name I believe comes from their elaborate courting display.

It is surprising what a difference it makes when I am welcomed to each new day at 6 hrs with the sun rising quickly and shining through the curtains of my bedroom. There has been some cloud, but most of the time the sun shines brightly and temperatures rise to about 30°C. There is usually a pleasant breeze in the garden to cool a little.

I continue to meet up with friends. Best popped around yesterday. It must have been about 2005 when I first met Best as a boy at secondary school. We met a few times in Monze and kept in touch. He went on to take a degree in Law and is now married with two children of his own and looks after two children from a sibling.

Yesterday I intended to just pop into a couple of shops nearby, but found myself wandering around the outside market looking for chitenge material for Ireen to make me some shirts. She has made me at least one shirt on every visit since 2004 – I have a fair stock now!! On the way back I called in at the hospital tuck shop to say hallo to Sebia. When she spotted me she left her kiosk and ran to give me a huge hug. Many years ago I was trying to find a bus to Pemba to go to see Jennipher and Sebia guided me to right place. Because she works at the hospital, we have come across each other regularly over the years. From the tuck shop I rang Teddy, not realising he hadn't yet retired. He appeared a little later at the tuck shop. I worked with Teddy for a number of years at the hospital from 2004. At the time he worked with his great friend Bentoe – who also became a good friend of mine. Bentoe was killed in a terrible car accident in 2006 while Dilys was with me here in Monze. Teddy took over Bentoe's role as Information Officer, but has always had to live with the title Acting Information Officer.

Chris 

P.S. Apologies for the lack of photos. I am having problems at the moment transferring files from my phone. I am working on it!! 

First Days back in Monze

After 3 very strange years away, I am quickly acclimatising to life back here in Monze. Of course friends such as Jennipher and Diven have been to see me at my new house.

I have a decent sitting area in my house, but I like to sit outside in the garden. It attracts a lot of birds. The sparrows and pied crows play on the lawn, but in the trees are beautiful Starlings whose feathers shine a beautiful iridescent greeny blue – a truly beautiful tropical bird.

I went to Our Lady of the Wayside church on Sunday and was warmly greeted by fellow members of St. Veronica's Small Christian Community who wanted a picture taken. Inevitably some friends are no longer with us. Queen who was one of the first Community members that I met has sadly passed on. Her son Brian escorted me to her house so that I could meet with the group many years ago. The Community meet most Sunday's in the afternoon, in each other's houses – or more accurately outside each other's houses. I would never be able to find the next meeting point without a guide. Usually someone will meet me, if not someone will be able to help me on my way! Kennedy's wife also died and tested positive for COVID. I was told a lot of the elderly had died.

The day I arrived in Monze the traffic lights were off. On enquiry I was told that the electricity bill hadn't been paid! The lights have worked since – when they are out, it is now because the power is down! We have had several power cuts since I arrived. It took me a while one evening to realise that I needn't sit in the dark. I have 5 solar security lights with me!!

Ireen found me very early on. She has been my tailor since 2004 and makes me several shirts each year. She now has a business selling mattresses two of her children are now helping at the shop – I remember when she was struggling to pay their school fees.

I enjoy walking to the market to buy vegetables and spices. The lady who has sold me spices over many years was not around – another lady seems to have taken over her stall. A lady from the church sells me nsala a root vegetable which I coat with pounded groundnuts after boiling and then fry. This appears to be a unique way to prepare the vegetable, but it makes them very tasty!

As I was buying vegetables in the market a lad came up to me with a huge smile and greeted me. He reminded me who he was. When he and his brother were young they lost their parents and were on their own. Mrs. Sianga found them and took them into her school. She also introduced them to a benefactor who provided a small house for them to live in. With a watchful eye kept on them the young children thrived. He was looking very well and is now working in a shop near to the market.

Angelina popped around earlier today. I know her well from the church. Her son Nelson is in Lusaka training to become a nurse and wants to come to Monze this weekend to say hallo. Mike said hallo a couple of days ago. He was working at Nampeyo Guest House in 2003 where we stayed on our first visit. He has struggled in recent years, but seemed to be in good health and spirits when we met.

I continue to meet with friends and there are many more that I will see in the coming days. All have stories to tell, many have challenges to overcome. Occasionally I can make a difference and help them have a better life. Obert came around a few days back, in his taxi. When I first met him Obert said he had a problem. He walked with a limp because one leg had grown, but the other, being artificial, had not! A friend in the UK offered to pay for a new leg and a couple of years later, when I located Obert – in fact he found me – things got sorted. Since then I have come to know him well, along with his parents. He obtained his driving licence and is now a taxi driver. He has a wife and child and has built himself a small house. He came around to show me he latest car.

My purpose in coming to Monze is to catch up on friends. It is by sitting and chatting that I learn a little more about this very different country. The change in President seems to have brought about positive changes. As with all things, change takes time and sometimes the interim can be challenging. For instance eduction including Secondary is now meant to be free. However, this isn't the case. I am told that it has reduced in cost, but is not free and therefore is still beyond the reach of many. Some extra teachers have been appointed to try to accommodate extra children at school, but they are not enough and there are not the new schools to accommodate the children. However, things seem to be moving in the right direction.

I'll pop into town now and then no doubt return for lunch and spend some time reflecting in the garden.

Take care,

Chris