Monday 13th
June
Jennipher asked me to repeat an exercise of a few years back when I
asked Ireen to make a shirt for me and a dress for her from the same
material. So I had a break from the computer, picked up some Chitenge
material and delivered it to Ireen. It looks like I will have three
new shirts this year!!
The blue sky returned today – yesterday was definitely the
exception.
Tuesday
14th June
I continue to meet friends. A guy called from a car. I knew he was
someone I knew well from the hospital. Mr Monze was a security
guard and over many years has tried (in vain) to add to my Chitonga
vocabulary. He told me he now
works for the police and had someone in the car they had just
arrested.
Raymond had arranged to see me at 9
hrs. I was up early for mass, but waited till 8 am to call around at
the Internet cafe. I have another problem with a payment not arriving
at the bank in Monze and had to get documents printed. Unfortunately
the cafe was shut and I was advised that it hadn't opened in a couple
of days. I went to my friend Hope, but her computer wouldn't open for
15 mins then couldn't print my document, having picked up a virus or
two from Hope (well her computer!) I went to another office where she
directed me, which could open my document but the printer didn't
recognise the new toner cartridge! It was now 9.30 by which time
Raymond realised we needed to reschedule. Sometimes we forget in the
UK just how difficult printing a couple of pages can be in Zambia!
I rushed to PIZZ school where I met
Mawini – the university student. We had a good talk and established
that she was 7 years old when I first visited Monze. She showed me
some of her course work which I found surprisingly interesting –
not many would say that about my pure maths!
On the way to the school I was rung
by Fr. Clement and arranged a meeting with his treasurer at the bank
for 11.15. I was pleased that we didn't have to queue at the bank,
though it was after 12 by the time we met.
I saw that Rancher's butchers was
open so I decided to pick up some more steak. I felt I should
compensate Raymond for a wasted visit this morning, so decided to
make a beef stir fry. I also topped up with some vegetables, garlic
and ginger. In practice it turned out well - with plenty of flavour
from a generous amount of ginger and a bit of bite from the chilli.
I needed an early night because I
was off to Lusaka in the morning.
Wednesday 15th
June
I set my alarm for 5am. There seems
to be no way of scheduling a bus to Lusaka in advance. The big buses
might not start till 9 hrs anyway, so be be pretty sure of getting to
my workshop by 13 hrs I needed to set off early.
I hoped to be able to get along the
High Street without being accosted by someone on an empty bus. No
such luck!! Two guys jumped from a Rosa and grabbed me – I
protested and said I would get on when they had a few customers. The
bus was facing the wrong direction so they turned it around for me!
Apparently they were the guys who took me when I went to Chisamba.
They almost lifted me into the bus and in the end I gave way. They
insisted they were about to leave – not that I believed a word. I
must admit I found the whole episode rather amusing and decided even
if they left at 7 hrs - like last time - I would be in Lusaka in good
time. In the event they set off with a very empty bus at just after 6
hrs. The bus didn't fill completely along the way, but we arrived at
Downtown Lusaka at about 9.30 am. Having plenty of time I went to the
local bus station and, as usual, helpful people pointed me to the
right bus for Kabulonga and a fellow passenger told me when I had
arrived. It was 10.05 am!!
I quickly found the conference
centre and set about killing 3 hours. I found the shopping centre and
a cafe to have a drink and a read and then explored the area. This
isn't too far from Longacres where I am spending the night. The area
is quite smart and is linked to Longacres by Lusaka Golf Course.
There were 6 or 7 of us on the
workshop. It was run by Global Giving and was quite interesting for
me – though the other local participants are not as well
established with the organisation. It also struck me that what makes
sense to someone from a Western background, might not translate as
well in Zambia. The target donors for the Global Giving website are
not Zambians! They are you and me. Which of course gives me the
opportunity for another plug!!
Already we have raised £400 for
PIZZ School. Thank you very much if you have contributed – it would
be good to push that up to £1,000 this evening. PIZZ really is a
wonderful project and you couldn't use your money in a better way.
Global Giving
will give us a 40% bonus on all donations of up to £1,000 NOW and
until 5 am on Tomorrow morning 16th
June. (subject to a total bonus pot of £10,000) UK taxpayers
can also give 25% extra through Gift Aid
Please follow this link
DONATE
NOW
Apologies for the Lack
of photos but I have most of my technology in Monze, while I am in
Lusaka. I'll make up for it next time.
Chris
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