Shirt 9

 

As we move into 2025 I recall some of the challenges of 2024. Personally I have tried to turn my cancer treatment into an excuse to publicise Transformation Through Education - the charity that I established during 2023.

This chitenge in this video is one of those that Ireen told me was suitable to turn into a shirt. However, to be honest I cannot remember her telling me of one that wasn't suitable – even if I presented her with two, three or possibly more. Hence I have a lot of shirts!! Chitenge material is used for a number of purposes. The ladies wrap it around them to protect their dresses. It is also used uncut to form a sling for a baby - this is beautiful. The baby is kept warm, close to the mother's body and it can easily be swung around to enable easy feeding. And of course they can be made into shirts.

Moving forward we have great ambitions for the charity. Our eventual aim is to support every child who enters PIZZ school until they have the education and training they need to put them in the best place to obtain employment. The challenges for many of these children are enormous, we want to give them hope that they can achieve a future where they and their families can escape the cycle of poverty. Some have achieved this over the past 20 years of PIZZ school's existence – we want all current and future students to be able to follow their footsteps.

We have a long way to go, but 2025 will be the year that we hope to make great stides towards this ambition.

If you want to join us you can find out more and donate on our website Transformation Through Education

Hoping that you had a Blessed Christmas and wishing you all the best for 2025.

Chris

Shirt number 8

 

 

 

 

 

It's off with shirt 7 and on with shirt 8! (The shirts are shown better on our Facebook Page – Transformation Facebook Page)

When I am in Monze I attend the church of Our Lady of the Wayside which is situated just off the Great North Road heading towards Livingstone in an area of Monze known as Manungu. The parishioners are divided into groups (Communities) by geographical area. Since 2005 I have been a member of St. Veronica's Small Christian Community. On Sunday afternoon we get together to reflect on next week's gospel, to catch up with anything happening at the church and receive reports of anyone in the community who is ill or has other problems.

This shirt is the “uniform” for St Veronica's Small Christian Community given to me by the Community.

Today Mrs. Sianga the Director and Founder of PIZZ School buried her eldest daughter. Her daughter had cancer which proved to be terminal. I cannot imagine what it is like to lose a child. Almost every week I seem to hear of the death of another young person – a brother, child or nephew of one of my friends in Zambia. After my recent experience with Prostate Cancer, I can't help but wonder whether many of these young lives would have been saved if they had access to the health services that we have here in the UK.

The children at PIZZ School sat their exams earlier this month. Those taking their grade 9 exams hope that, if successful, they will be able to move into the newly refurbished grade 10 classroom and won't need to move schools.

Transformation Through Education needs to find extra funds this month to ensure that registration fees are paid, teachers receive an annual bonus and the students who need them receive new school uniforms and shoes. We also provide a little extra so that the children can have a Christmas Party where they can enjoy some chicken and buns – a special treat for them.

If you can spare a little this Christmas you can donate on our website Transformation Through Education

Thank You,

Chris

 

Radiotherapy Shirt 7

 

I am very lucky to be within a fifteen minute walk from my house to Cheltenham General Hospital. The Oncology unit has a pleasant garden outside. Preparation for the treatment takes longer than the treatment itself which is completed within about 15 minutes.

On the way I pass Cheltenham College and some other iconic buildings as seen (in a flash) in this very short video.

The hospital facilities in Zambia are improving. On my last visit to Monze the local hospital was about to install a CT scanner. However such facilities are expensive to access and well beyond the means of most Zambians.

At PIZZ School many of the families of the children cannot afford medicines. Where possible the project tries to help with some medical support. If you would like to help us please visit Transformation Through Education

 Chris

Radiotherapy Shirt 6 of 20

 

This is another bright chitenge shirt made by Ireen.

Chitenge material has a variety of uses. The most common is as a covering ladies use to protect their dresses. The material is just wrapped around their dress and tied . When ladies gather they usually sit on the floor which is a dusty soil for most of the year. The chitenge can be easily washed while leaving the dress clean.

Chitenges are also used to carry babies. The babies are held close to the mother in the sling made by the chitenge. It is very easy to swing the baby to the front for feeding. It is lovely to see mothers carrying their babies in this way.

Finding suitable accommodation in Monze has been a bit of a challenge. Thankfully I have a number of friends in the town who will search for me. I need somewhere that is furnished, I want to be able to cater for myself and to have space to welcome friends for coffee or a meal. I also like to be close the town centre so that it is easy to pop out to the market and local shops where I often meet friends that I have made over the past 20 years.

Recently I have been staying at “Truckers”. This meets all my needs. The drive leads to the main road on the northern edge of town - about 15 minutes from the market.

In this picture I have a chitenge hanging behind me on the wall – yet another use! This elephant chitenge was a present for my wife from my landlady at Truckers - giving presents is an important part of the Zambian culture.

Please use this link to find out more about Transformation Through Education and support PIZZ School.

Chris

Radiotherapy Shirt 5 - Drums

 

I like to pick up chitenge material that is bright and fun! The 5^th shirt is covered with drums.

Drums are very important in Zambia, as well as providing the backing rhythm for music they were traditionally been used to pass information between people – particularly in the rural areas. I remember once hearing drums as I wondered in the bush and thought that maybe my presence had been noticed. On one occasion my wife Dilys went out with a group who were sensitizing people to the issues around HIV/AIDS and encouraging people to get tested. In order to get people together they used the drums and gradually a crowd gathered from the surrounding area.

During church services I attend, drums are invariably used to encourage and support the singing and dancing. Attending Sunday Mass at Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church really is a celebration!

PIZZ school has drums to assist with celebrations and is used to support traditional dancing. They are considered essential pieces of equipment.

 

Please continue to support PIZZ school by following this link. Transformation Through Education

Thanks,

Chris

Radiotherapy shirt 4 of 20

As I write this short blog the rain is falling. We are having problems in the UK with flooding. In Monze it last rained in January. Getting water and food is becoming an increasing problem. My friend Diven has bought a drum so that, on the few occasions during the week that he can draw water from his tap, he can fill the drum to provide water for his family for the other days.

The impact of Climate Change is affecting us all, but the porrest are impacted the most.

The children are back at PIZZ school after the August break. Please help us to continue to ensure that the children can get their school meals. Find out more and support us at Transformation Through Education

 

Chris

Radiotherapy shirt 3 of 20

 This is a fairly traditional shirt. One that I have had for a number of years. My life has changed dramatically as a result of my relationship to Zambia. I have contact with friends there most days.

The drought this past rainy season has had a huge impact. Not only is food , particularly maize, more expensive but it has been very difficult to buy in any quantity. I heard today that Our Lady of the Wayside Church in Monze has just managed to aquire 50 bags of maize from the Zambian Food Reserve Agency – this has taken many months to arrange. The food will be distributed to the most vulnerable parishioners.

PIZZ school also had a challenge to acquire maize to provide school meals for the children – all students get a free meal each day when they at school. Eventually the supply of maize was also agreed by the Food Reserve Agency. It costs about £15 to provide daily school meals for a child for a year! Of course with 600 children that adds up!

Please check out our website and donate if you can.

Transformation Through Education

Thanks,

Chris