Now I have really arrived

Sunday 5^th May

I think that today was when I really arrived in Monze!

I started dropping off to sleep during the football – so I gave up at half time, had a shower and went to bed. I slept deeply until awoken by a call from Diven at 7hrs. I turned the phone off and went back to sleep. Breakfast was laid out and I helped myself.

After breakfast I went for stroll in the church grounds. It suddenly became very familiar and comfortable. Large Swallowtail butterflies flew around, as did the house sparrows, which are plentiful here. I think that our shortage in the UK is caused by the sparrows flying to Africa for a holiday and deciding they liked the place so much they stayed. The sky was cloudless blue and I again experienced the power of the African sun.(Just glancing at my arms now I see that already they have turned a few shades darker!) Some trees are in flower and I noticed some new banana plants in what is now the presbytery garden.

There is only one priest now serving Our Lady of the Wayside and today Fr. Clement was saying mass at a couple of “Out Stations” so instead of mass there was a Eucharistic Service. Although feeling a little guilty at not attending a mass on a Sunday I felt that I should join the community here for their service. The Deacon who presided over the service stays with Fr. Clement here at the presbytery.

Before, during and after mass parishioners greeted me. Everyone I meet here in Zambia tells me the same thing – people are struggling, they are hungry. It was good to see again some very well known faces.

Diven's early morning call - which I returned at a more decent hour – was to invite me to his place for lunch. So after my service I made my way to his home. I asked a parishioner the best way, but unfortunately – as well as other things - mentioned the crossroads. There is a place called “The Crossroads” so she took me by an interesting route through the compounds to “The Crossroads” - unfortunately this didn't help me reach the crossroads I needed to find! Those who know me are aware that my sense of direction is not the best. So not only did I not know where I was but I had no idea which way to go!! I headed off and found someone who seemed to know where I wanted to be – to be honest the person I asked passed me on to someone who spoke English who directed me back in the direction from where I had come.. I wish I could learn Chitonga and be able to converse with those around me. (Although to be honest here in Monze I would also need to learn, Nyanga, Bemba and Losi.) I can easily get by with English, but at least half the people I meet cannot speak English and there is a barrier between us. Anyway I found my bearings eventually and found Diven.

Since I last visited, Diven has a new baby – in fact now a small toddler called Ireen or her Chitonga name Lwendo – meaning more problems!! Paul is a big lad now but still very unsure of me. I tried to approach him and again he started crying. Lwendo on the other hand was happy to play games – we copied each other clapping and shaking our heads – I think we have hit it off. I hope Paul will come around eventually and realise I am not really very frightening.

Delia is not very well and is in a lot of pain walking. Diven has taken her to hospital both here and in Lusaka. He is now employing some help to clean and cook. Diven joined me in his house for a meal that had been prepared for me. We then both headed for Our Lady of the Wayside church and I passed on a few items that I had brought for him including a few photos.

Jennipher was due to meet me at 15hrs, but it was about 16hrs when she rang. I told her where I was but she misunderstood. It is easy to forget that Jennipher's first language is not English – it is probably her fifth or sixth!! and our accents are very different. Eventually we met. She had been both to the Curia and Cathedral before finding me here!

Her tale was similar to others and she admitted that sometimes she pretends she is out because she has nothing to offer the hungry people who knock at her door. I shall have to go to Pemba soon and hear first hand the challenges people are now facing.

After supper Fr.Clement took me, the Deacon and his brother to St. Kisito's where we were challenged by the local people to a pool competition. I think that the final score was Manugu 6 St. Kisito 4. We arrived back home just before midnight!

Best wishes,

 Chris

4^th May

Yes I am now in Monze!

The last stage of my journey – from Lusaka was the one I dreaded most, but it turned out to be the easiest of the lot!

Yesterday in Amsterdam – or perhaps the suburbs was a very life-giving time. By the time I was settled in the hotel and ready for sleep it was 1 am, The hotel was very acceptable and after breakfast yesterday I went for a stroll to see if there was anything worth investigating. It was reasonably interesting – and Dutch! - but it didn't seem to lead to anything promising. I wanted a pleasant walk and somewhere to pick up a snack for lunch.

I checked out of the hotel just before 12 noon and the receptionist was happy to look after my 11.5Kg cabin baggage which I didn't fancy walking around with. I asked if there was anywhere worth visiting within walking distance and she told me there was a shopping centre if I turned right at Macdonalds and walked straight for about ½ hour.

I thought it was worth a try. The hotel is sited in an industrial area without shops or cafes (other than Macdonalds). The road was a major one, but the Netherlands has a character of its own. Trains and trams are numerous, well used cycle paths line the roads and the bikes are unmistakably Dutch – unlike the racers and mountain bikes we use.

After about half an hour I hadn't found a shopping centre, but I did see a sign pointing the town centre. Not deviating from my path, I headed straight ahead until I could go no more and was drawn to a small lake in from of an office building. I sat briefly to admire the diver high on the top board – an interesting artwork! A heron landed on the opposite bank and coots swam to and fro. I continued on my path which swung around into another industrial estate. I was then attracted by a canal and decided a small detour was ok as long as I was sure to be able to retrace my steps. The canal footpath led past a park with goats and other attractions for children. Eventually directly in front of me was a parade of shops, again largely Dutch – though usually named and described in English – but not the standard big brands that adorn our High Streets. One shop called Athlete's Foot did stand out in my mind!!

I found a bank and a cafe to refresh myself after the walk. For the next hour or two I explored the wonderful park criss - crossed with canals and full of birdsong and walked along another canal enjoying the trees and flowers both on the banks and in the houses surrounding the canal. It struck me again how most things demonstrated a particular Dutch characteristic – very few standard boxes or items. I also wondered about Global Warming and the impact it will have on the Netherlands where so much of the land is below sea level.

A beer in the hotel was just the job before getting the shuttle back to the airport. Navigating security at Amsterdam Airport was not too bad – a doddle after Heathrow!! My plane to Nairobi was a little late taking off but made up time en-route with a tail wind most of the way. I was initially concerned, but hadn't read my boarding pass correctly and had more time in transit than I realised. Still all was irrelevant since the plane was held up waiting for another connecting flight for over an hour! We landed just before 11hrs at Lusaka Airport and was sorted and in the taxi by 12 noon.

I caught the 13 hr Mazandu bus which left soon afterwards and Diven joined me on the journey to Monze having made a fruitless trip to Lusaka to get Delia some medicine.

Fr. Clement picked me from Tooters Road House and brought me here to the presbytery at Our Lady of the Wayside where I will stay for a night or so before moving to the Curia Guest House. I might just watch the football – Liverpool v Newcastle before turning in!!

Greetings from Amsterdam

2^nd May

Yes! Greetings from Amsterdam.

My trip to Monze has not got off to the greatest start!

I had no problem getting to Heathrow Terminal 4 – in fact I arrived about 4 hours before my flight was due to leave.

I dropped off my bags as soon as allowed without problem. At security however I realised I had made a big mistake packing the projector in my backpack. I was told I needed to take out the projector which meant virtually unpacking my backpack.

Apparently I needed separate trays for laptops, projector and the remaining contents of the backpack - i.e. 3 trays. Needless to say I was by now pretty flustered. I then apparently walked through the scanner in the wrong way! My punishment was a full body scan. However, I had to do this again because I had things in my pockets – e.g. tissues! This was followed by a couple of physical body searches and finally having to put each foot on a wooden block for some unknown reason. By this time I was more than flustered and I wasn't sure what had happened to my luggage. I felt like I had found myself in a Mr. Bean sketch!! I tried to find my trays of luggage – by now I had taken my coat and jumper off, my belt and my shoes. Apparently I shouldn't have gone to find my luggage carrying the two new black trays which I acquired during the scanning process and the security guy was agitated because my 3 grey trays were holding up the system!! Eventually I poured 4 trays into one and tried unsuccessfully to repack. Admitting defeat I dressed myself and carried my worldly goods to a quiet area where I could regroup in peace. I decided that I wasn't prepared for a repeat in Amsterdam and Nairobi. So I am now carrying my projector separately.

Fortunately the Lord is good to me and I found myself in a very quiet area, where I had a great view of the planes landing and taking off – somewhere I hadn't realised existed – and somewhere that very few people seen to have found! I was able to calm down during the next couple of hours.

It was about ¾ hr before the flight that the gate number was given. On arriving at the gate I was told I was too early. I managed to get labels to allow me to keep my hand luggage with me – people were being persuaded to check their luggage in the hold because of shortage of storage space. I didn't fancy the chances of my laptop and tablet arriving safely if stored in the hold – not to mention the projector surviving being thrown around between planes.

There didn't seem to be a hurry to get people boarding. Eventually the preferential customers were allowed to board – these seemed to be about half of the travellers. Eventually the rest of us were allowed to move – but not far!! It was about 200 metres from the gate to the plane and we never moved more than 10 yards before stopping! It seems that all the preferential customers were seated at the front and hence blocked the passage for the rest of us. The stewardess was busy unsuccessfully loading luggage in the overhead lockers, but successfully blocking the aisle. So we we already 15 mins beyond departure time by the time everone was settled onboard. We then had an announcement that there would be a delay because of traffic control in Amsterdam.

We took off over an hour after the scheduled departure time – I had precisesly an hour between flights at Amsterdam! Needless to say by the time we arrived my plane to Nairobi had already left.

I was rescheduled on a flight to Kigali (Rwanda) tomorrow late morning. When I checked I was told I would arrive at Lusaka at 1.30 am. (I was then offered flights via Dubai or South Africa still arriving in Lusaka at the same time). After some discussion I persuaded the desk clerk to book me a flight on Kenya Airways to Nairobi tomorrow evening arriving in Lusaka at 9.30 on Saturday.

So now I am in a hotel in Amsterdam instead of being halfway to Nairobi!! I hope to have a pleasant day here – I am sure it will be better than a night at Lusaka Airport!!

Best wishes,

Chris

Wednesday 1^st May

On Easter Monday Maria eventually gave up her fight. Dilys, myself, her son Joseph and some other friends spent most of the day with her until her death at about 11.30 pm. The staff at Sue Ryder were very good looking after Maria and ourselves up to, and after the end.

Unfortunately I will miss the funeral as I leave for Monze tomorrow.

My packing is complete – I think!! I nearly forgot my binoculars and bird books, which for me are more essential than almost anything else I take for myself. As usual I have used up my baggage allowances. 2x 23kg cases and cabin baggage of 12 Kg is soon accounted for! I have second-hand shoes for the children at PIZZ School and a good supply of woolly jumpers for the young ones. There are art materials – also for the school. I have a few cameras, a couple of mobile phones, pairs of sandals for friends, reading glasses, soap for Jennipher etc. My cabin baggage is mainly a projector for the school, a laptop for a friend, a tablet for Jennipher. Yes and I have a box set of the Planet series – the Blue Planet, The frozen Planet and Planet Earth, plus another box-set with Top Cat, Wacky Races etc. to go with the projector! It's just as well that my clothes only weigh 3-4 Kg!!

Over the past few weeks I have been reading a Neville Shute trilogy. The first book was No Highway about an engineer testing an aeroplane wing that he predicted would fail through metal fatigue after so many hours flying. It becomes clear that a plane crashed having exceeded the relevant number of hours and the engineer becomes responsible for severely damaging another plane to prevent further loss of lives. I read this soon after they realised that the crash of the Ethiopian Airways plane was caused by the same issue that previously brought down an Indonesian Airways plane. Perhaps someone should have had the courage to sabotage one of these planes!

A few years back, I flew on Ethiopian Airlines. I remember how cheerful and pleasant the Stewards and Stewardesses were. I particularly remember that as night-time arrived they produced cots for the babies and toddlers. These were hung in front of the front seats where the parents were seated. What a difference this made for the families. I haven't known any other airline to provide similar facilities.

The second book was A Town Called Alice – again Neville Shute introduces us to some inspirational characters. The main character first overcomes terrible hardships during the Second World War to enable a group of women to survive and then ends up transforming a small town in Australia. It is good to believe that we can all make a difference. I like to believe that I have been able to make a small positive difference in Monze. I like to think that a few friends have a better life with my support and that I have been able to make a positive difference to others. I feel very fortunate to have been given the opportunity.

So tomorrow I will set off on my journey and I look forward to seeing my friends again.

I will be staying again at the Curia Guest House.

Next time I write no doubt I will be back in my second home.

Best wishes,

Chris

Dog Sitting

Saturday 6^th April 2019

Last year was the first since 2003 that I have not visited Monze. However the call of Africa is too strong and I have arranged a short trip during May – OK, I will spend virtually all of May in Monze.

Of course I am in contact with my Zambian friends on a very regular basis. I doubt whether a week has passed without a call or two.

Oh except for last month when I spent 8 days on a silent retreat in North Wales. There is a special freedom gained from turning off mobiles etc., having no television, radio or newspapers and to top it all living in silence, except for gentle music during meals. A little glimpse of Heaven!

Ignatian retreats have been very valuable for me over the years. I hadn't previously visited St. Buenos where the retreat took place and was a little apprehensive. In fact it was a very rich and rewarding experience and a much needed opportunity to spend some time with my God. I now feel refreshed and ready to see how my friends are facing the challenges of life in Zambia.

Once again the weather in Southern Zambia has not produced a good crop. Rain started in November/December on time, but instead of continuing until March/April it stopped early in February before the maize was mature. The result is that the harvest in this area will be very small and there will be hunger again.

Two years is a long time and there will be many changes – not least in the children I know. Selina for instance is now a mother! I look forward to catching up.

When in Zambia my blogs often start one day and finish a day or two later.

It is now almost two weeks since I started this blog. I think the real value of a blog is to record life as it unfolds. This is probably why a blog about my life in Zambia is difficult to write from the UK.

As I write I am sitting in my daughter's house in Naunton – a beautiful village in the Cotswolds – where we are dog-sitting. Fortunately she has a large field at the back of the house where the dogs can get plenty of exercise.

My packing is on hold, but having ordered some items online and not been at home for deliveries, I am having to find ways of collecting my goods. One delivery was for three solar security lights.

Some years back I visited the clinic at Chilimentando. This is a village which is remote apart from a tarmac road which passes nearby. I spent a good day meeting some of the people and hearing some of the challenges they face. At the clinic one of the main issues was that women would come at night in labour and forget to bring a candle! It struck me that there must be something that could help. The next year I brought out a solar security light. I didn't know whether it would work, but I felt that it might help and it would be far brighter than a candle! Some months later I asked Jennipher whether it worked and how long the light stayed on – of course it is designed to be triggered by movement, not to be left on continuously. Jennipher told me that the light stayed on all night! What is more one of the women was so grateful that she named her child after me!! So some poor lad in Zambia is called Barrell!!

I now try to bring out at least one solar light each year.

Although based in Naunton we have been travelling back and forth quite often. More important than collecting parcels is visiting my friend Maria. Maria was diagnosed with a form of breast cancer about 6 years ago. After declaring various treatments successful, 2 – 3 years ago the health professionals agreed that her cancer was still around – had progressed and was now terminal. Over the past year or two Maria has spent time at Sue Ryder. The hospice has been very important in helping control the symptoms and pain and has allowed her to spend periods at the hospice where they have adjusted the medication etc. For the past 3 or 4 months she has been able to live at home and a few weeks ago she came with me and her son, Joseph, for a pleasant meal at a local pub.

However, she was admitted to Sue Ryder quite suddenly about 3 weeks ago. In recent days she has become more or less bed bound and sleeps most of the time, requiring more pain killing drugs and responding very little. Dilys and myself have made a number of visits to sit with her and keep her company during this important time.

The weather here has been quite cold, but today has warmed noticeably and temperatures up to 25°C are expected in the UK this weekend. It has been reasonably dry so, with appropriate, clothing I have been able to sit outside while the dogs amuse themselves in the field.

The politics of Brexit have been interrupted over the past few days and replaced by the climate change protests. My friend Charles from Monze sent me a text a few days ago in reference to Teresa May and Brexit – no doubt we will catch up on everything when I get out to Zambia.

Climate change is still not being treated seriously by politicians around the world. The cyclone in Southern Africa is something that is happening more often as our climate changes. If more than 700 people in the western world were killed and millions affected would more notice be taken? It is cruel that western greed so often results in disastrous consequences for the poorest in the world. At the moment people in Zambia are hungry because the rains have failed yet again. The irony is that heavy rain has been falling in recent weeks – too late to save the maize crop, though helpful to fill the reservoirs.

Best wishes,

Chris

Catching up

25^th May 2018

Since I left Monze last July there have been two notable new lives that have come into the world. Delia gave birth to a girl – and I must confess both her Zambian and English names elude me at the moment. The other is birth is a girl to Selina – Jennipher's daughter - named Maria. Selina tried to keep the pregnancy secret and was very concerned about letting me know. Anyway I spoke to her and assured her that she continued to have my love and full support. Jennipher is looking after Maria while Selina continues her education. Both children are doing well.

Teddy suffered a break-in at his home, where it seems he was drugged while they stole his possessions – he is gradually putting things back in place. Best passed his bar exams, but his certificate is being withheld until he finds money claimed to be outstanding! Raymond is still trying to support some elderly and disabled people without any funds! They struggle to find enough food just to survive.

The rains this year started well, but for a month or so, when the rain should have been the heaviest the rain ceased. It then rained heavier than normal. The result is generally a poor harvest. I remember some years back doing work with the Diocesan Projects Office. They wanted to record the assets of poorer households in the diocese. I was surprised to come up with what I thought was an average income of about £100 per month – this was higher than I expected. I then looked more closely - it was £100 per year! Some families received less than £20 per year! However, most people had a spade or a hoe. Some had a few chickens or even a goat or two. It was then that I realised how essential it was to have decent rain and the opportunity to grow enough food for the family. You cannot buy enough food to live on with £20 a year!

Fr Clement finds himself alone in his new parish – Fr Raphael having been moved. Our church in Cheltenham provided funds for some pigs to start the piggery – these are now developing and soon the project will be in full flow. We were also able to help with funds for a toilet block at the church. Fr. Clement has been practising pool in readiness for my visit – I too have had a few games here with Roger, my brother-in-law. Whether it will make any difference I doubt – but I sure that the competition will be intense!!

Luke is trying to start a small poultry business to supplement his income. He still struggles to support his nieces and nephews through school and college and is trying to get additional qualifications himself.

Most people in Zambia live on the edge. For those who have enough food the next aim is to try to send their children to school and perhaps end the cycle of poverty. PIZZ School takes children whose parents/guardians have difficulty in feeding their children and would never be able to fund their education themselves. PIZZ School gives the children the possibility of a different future and while at the school the children have a stable environment and they know that they are really valued.

Ketty is a girl who has developed with the care of PIZZ School. In December she passed her grade 9 exams and this year started at Kaumba Secondary School in Monze. Thanks to Helen's efforts last Saturday £700 has been raised towards Ketty's education. Another £200 will cover her costs until she completes her secondary education. If you would like to help us pay for Ketty's education you can donate at Helen's 50 Miler

In August a number of HATW volunteers will visit PIZZ School to help run a Holiday Club. At the moment there is some doubt as to whether I will be there at that time. I am looking forward to returning to my second home before long. There is a lot to catch up with and I can't wait to enjoy some of the local produce with my friends.

Chris

Visiting Friends

Monday 21^st May

Over the past couple of years I have been in Zambia at this time. It is now winter in Monze - temperatures can drop below 10°C at night which is cold if you have no mattress or blanket! In the UK, I have a friend who is terminally ill, so I will stay for now to provide a little support. My most important duty – as everywhere – is to be available for a cup of tea or coffee and a chat. Even better if we can find a pub with a garden when the sun is out!

My role with respect of Hands Around the World has changed in recent months. I decided to give up my formal duties as Trustee and Project Co-ordinator and to concentrate on being a friend to the people of Zambia. When I first went to Zambia I was told that it would cause problems if I said I was working – even doing voluntary work – I was told that I was going to meet friends. I felt a little uncomfortable and decided that I should therefore make a point of making friends in Zambia. Since that time I have made lots of friends. I then obtained a work permit (though now my main purpose was to meet friends!). Immigration officials queried why I had a work permit if I was retired! So now I will continue to go to Monze, but without an official role. My purpose will be to drink tea and coffee with friends – a very much underrated ministry!

Sometimes as I enter Zambia I hope they will challenge me to reveal the friends I claim to be visiting. I will then tell them about Captain who was in charge of making the blocks for building the ICU at Monze Mission Hospital in 2003; Lashford who was the builder in charge of the project; Obie one of my workmates; Suki and Michael who worked at Nampeyo Guest House or I could tell of my friendship with Mrs Sianga who has become an inspiration to me over the years. Most of these people I still meet when I visit Monze – and these are just some of those I met on my first visit in 2003. 15 years later, having spent well over 3 years in Monze I have met a large number of people who I now consider to be friends. I therefore have no problem in spending all my time visiting friends in Zambia.

Those who have followed some of my blogs will be aware that I am involved in a wide range of small projects beside those where I had an official Hands Around the World role. I have no intention of abandoning the HATW projects, but hope that with less pressure I will feel free to spend more time with other projects – and perhaps be able to relax a little more.

The children from PIZZ School will always be very important to me. Many I have known since they first came to the school as young traumatised children. I have seen them grow in confidence. At the school Mrs. Sianga and her staff have provided a very special caring and loving environment geared to each child as an individual precious life. To see how this nourishment has lit that beautiful spark, which is in all of us, bringing out the talents, joy, mischief and fun from within, is such a privilege and a truly life-giving experience.

The school is moving into a new phase. The earliest students have now left school. Some are making their way in the world – Boniface is earning his living as a singer and musician, others have jobs in shops and on building sites, one is a pastor. Mawini and Maxwell are at university. Some no doubt are struggling – unemployment in Monze is very high. About 80 children now attend local secondary schools and we hope to have a couple of students going into nursing this year.

It is my dream to enable all children from PIZZ School to fulfil their potential. My focus now is to raise funds to help ensure that all PIZZ Students who pass their grade 9 exams can continue their education in local secondary schools. School fees for each child are about £900 for the three years. I would also lhope that funds are found for further study or training for all who gain their Grade 10 Certificate. Then there are all those who are not academically gifted but still have a lot to give. We should be providing help for all. This is a challenge – but the difference we can make to the life of any child makes it so much worthwhile. I am so fortunate to be able to see the impact our support has had.

On Saturday here in the UK the sun shone non-stop. Most people were busy following the Royal Wedding, but my daughter was running 51.3 miles from Taunton to Minehead. My regular followers will remember that Helen attempted her first Ultra-marathon last year. She was ill for most of it and after 46 miles collapsed and was taken to hospital where she spent two nights. It was therefore very brave to attempt another 50 Miler! This time she kept going and finished the course. I am encouraging people to celebrate her courage by helping to fund at least one student to complete their secondary education. If you would like to contribute you can donate using this link: Helen's 50 Miler .

In April - on a day which was very hot – with temperatures up to 27°C – a bit like those regularly experienced to the children in Monze when walking to school - the children in Class 3 (yrs 3 & 4) at Temple Guiting School in Gloucestershire walked more than 10 Km – yes all of them!! They then had a meal of rice and peas instead of their usual dinner. They had been learning about life in Africa and wanted to do something meaningful and raise money to send a child from PIZZ School to secondary school. Their target was £800. In fact they raised £1,827.18 (with Gift Aid the total will be £2,169.48) - a really wonderful effort. As a result of this walk Rosario and Kyfod (former PIZZ School students) will be able to complete their education at a local Monze secondary school.

There is a lot of news about my friends in Monze which I will bring over the next week or so, but for now it's cheerio. With love and prayers,

Chris