At the beginning of
this year I took some tests, the outcome of which was that Prostate
Cancer was detected. As part of the teatment a course of radiotherapy
was recommended. The course comprised twenty sessions taking place on
consecutive weekdays. To add interest (and hopefully raise something
for the charity), I decided to wear a different Zambian shirt for
each session. My granddaughter Amy took some photos and videos and
posted them on Facebook and Instagram.
I thought that I should
use the opportunity to share them with you on my blog and reach
another audience. Over the next few weeks I will post the photos and
videos of the 20 shirts, together with information about PIZZ school
and some more of my exploits in Zambia.
PIZZ school is an
amazing project providing opportunities for some children who would
never have an education otherwise. Many of the children from the
school gain the confidence and qualifications which enable them to
transform their lives and that of their families. This project relies
on Transformation
Through Education
to pay its teachers,
provide school meals for the children and cover other costs. If you
are able please support this charity. Please share the details with
others. Thank you.
2004 marked my second
visit to Monze. I decided to spend 4 months helping at the hospital
working with local staff to develop computer systems.
I was joined during my
visit by a physiotherapist – Emily. She worked as a volunteer at
the hospital and at a centre nearby, providing support for children
with disabilities. During this time there was also a surgeon who had
come from the US with his wife.
Well Emily and the
surgeon's wife decided that it was time for me to embrace the local
style of dress. They found a tailor and brought her a piece of
material from the market (known as Chitenge). Ireen took measurements
and before long I had what was to become one of many shirts she would
produce for me. Unfortuately this shirt no longer exists – except
as a patch in an old backpack! However many others are still
wearable!
The photo above was
taken before mobile phones could be used for selfies – even selfie
sticks didn't exist! Like most photos – especially those taken in
Zambia there is a story.
The photo shows John
and his family in 2006. John told me one day that he wanted to dig a
well.
He
only needed a spade and a pick-axe and he could do the job himself. I
appealed to my friends and he bought the implements.
All
was well until he had dug a hole about 6 feet deep! The problem was
how to get out of the hole and remove the soil!
The
answer was a rope, a bucket and a windlass ( A pulley system that sat
on top of the hole and allowed the bucket to be lowered into the
hole.)
Oh,
and someone to operate the windlass!
So
I borrowed equipment and agreed to pay for food for John's friend to
ensure that he kept near the hole!
All
continued fine until the hole was about 20 metres deep – I didn't
want to think of John 70 foot down a hand dug hole! John was
concerned that the rope was fraying!!
So
a new rope was purchased!
The well is considered
deep enough if, in the morning, at least one full drum of water can
be extracted from the bottom of the well!
At 30 metres the hole
was found to be suitably waterlogged! So job complete – well not
quite!!
John
is worried that the sides of the well (which he has been working in
daily) will collapse!
2,000
bricks plus sand and cement were purchased to line the well - from
bottom to top!!!
Open wells are very
dangerous. I knew of one child who fell down a well and died.
So
the well was covered and a rope pump purchased. Now my work really
was finished!
Oh
then John decided to move!!
I had never expected to
get away with providing just a pick and shovel – so I wasn't too
surprised at the outcome.
I learnt a lot during
this exercise and came to know John a little.
I have met with John
now and again over the years, but for the past 10 years or so I
hadn't seen him, until this year when I came across him again. I was
delighted to see that he was still going strong. He has always been a
bit of a rogue, but he is a real character and someone I always
remember fondly.
Best wishes,
Chris
