Wednesday 17th October
It seems an age
since I was in Chisamba!
The past two
days I have spent back at school. I started yesterday in grade 1 and
reached grade 9 today. I thought that it would be good to spend some
time with the students in their classes. And I enjoyed the experience
– in grade 2 they were talking about birthdays when I joined them.
I mentioned that it was my daughter's birthday so the teacher
designed a simple card on the blackboard and all the children copied
the card “Happy Birthday Barby, we love you” into their exercise
books. They also sang Happy Birthday Barbara, which I videoed and
played to my daughter and granddaughter over Skype later in the
evening. Teaching is a difficult task anywhere, with very few books
and other teaching materials and children who have to learn their
subjects in a foreign language – the teaching is in English – the
task is made much more difficult. I admired the teachers
determination and was impressed by the way they praised and
encouraged the children – especially the younger ones.
It was probably
a bit intimidating for the teachers to have me sitting in their
classes, but at least some were able to put me on the spot and tell
me about their difficulties, in a meeting today after the classes.
Finding funds to pay salaries is very difficult and the amount that
can be afforded is hardly enough to live on, but they are keen to
help the disadvantaged children, so they continue to teach despite
the hardships.
On Saturday I
met the committee at Kaliyangile which proved very positive. My brain
switched off again in Lusaka and I made the mistake of parting with
cash for a coach which I was assured was just about to leave. I had
caught a Rosa bus from the “Chisamba turn-off” which was heading
for the Inter-City bus station. Since time was moving on, and I
didn't relish wandering through Lusaka, I decided to catch a Big Bus
– these were very well described by someone telling me a story
about a man who was saving the few kwachas he earned for a big bus.
If you put your arms straight out in front of you and then flick the
palms downwards, you will know what a big bus is!! - I digress! There
are many big buses at Inter-City - a few of which go to Monze. Unlike
other buses they usually stick to a timetable. I arrived just before
16 hrs and one was leaving at 17hrs or 17.30. Instead of deciding to
wait – or look to find one leaving sooner, I agreed to go on the
one leaving now! At a little after 18hrs we moved off and when we
left Lusaka it was after 18.30, so we didn't arrive in Monze till
21.15.
On Sunday the
bishop was confirming 120 candidates! So there was a single mass for
the parish and all connected churches. The service started at 9 hrs
and concluded at 12.30. It was lively with plenty of singing and
dancing. As well as the usual gifts offered there were a couple of
goats and a few chickens and other bird – live of course.
Sometimes the
needs here can feel overwhelming. Last week one of Jennipher's
clients who was doing well and looking after his family was involved
in a freak accident and was killed. He leaves a wife and five
children. She has no idea how she will be able to provide for them.
On Monday just
after Jennipher told me this story, the lady who has been cleaning
the rooms where I stay wanted to speak to me. Using Jennipher as an
interpreter, she told me that her husband has been bedridden for four
or five years. She is just doing the cleaning while someone is away.
She also has five children and doesn't want to leave her husband. She
has a little land but no money to buy fertiliser and maize seed for
the coming growing season – the money she earned won't cover this
cost. (About £65 will provide the family with a crop that would last
most of next year). I cannot find any more money this year – I hope
I have enough for getting to the airport next week!! Such requests I
receive daily and is very difficult to refuse. Sometimes – like on
this occasion – I say that I will tell people about their needs on
my blog, and just maybe someone will be willing to help.
Best wishes
Chris
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