Tuesday, December 17, 2024

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




 

Thursday, December 12, 2024

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