28th
November
I
am surprised to realise that I haven't written on my blog since
August. Perhaps because I am in almost daily contact with my friends
from Zambia I can't imagine that I haven't been in touch with you as
well.
The
rains in Zambia have just started. This will be a big relief. Water
levels were very low this year leading the government to ration
electricity – the main source of power being hydro-electric from
the Kariba Dam. The local people will now have to gamble on whether
they expect the rains to continue reliably or whether they might stop
- leading to drought and lost crops. In recent years it has been
almost impossible to get sufficient consistent rainfall to give a
good maize crop. Some people are growing other crops, but in recent
history food in Zambia has meant nshima – a food made from maize
flour. For a Zambian it is very important to grow your own maize.
My
friends continue to struggle along.
Jennipher
found Sandra's death very difficult and her health has not been too
good. She recently spent a week in Choma just to have a bit of a
break – the doctor suggested that she needed 3 weeks rest! She
continues to be very busy helping her many support groups to move
forward. Some of these groups raised a little money as a revolving
fund. Members can borrow money for small projects – they are then
expected to repay the money so that it can be passed to another
member etc. On Tuesday it is World AIDS day so they will be meeting
for celebrations. Jennipher has taken in a 19 year old girl who has
contracted AIDS. She is trying to help her to manage the condition,
but is concerned about the risks to her children. People with AIDS
are susceptible to a range of infections – particularly TB. It is
these infections (rather than AIDS) which present the major risk.
Jennipher wants to build a single roomed house where she can house
people like this girl. She is keen that the local support group helps
by making bricks. She will probably look for help to roof the
building when it is built – after the rainy season.
Diven's
house and shop are now plastered on the outside and gutters and
gulleys have been made to take the water from his buildings. He still
has no plaster on the inside and most windows have been bricked up
because of insufficient funds. Delia gave birth to a baby boy called
Paul who is doing well. Business is tricky these days as costs have
been rising rapidly because of the drop in value of
the
kwacha. From 10 kwacha to the pound when I arrived in Zambia, it
briefly hit 20 kwacha to the pound a couple of weeks ago. Diven
remains cheerful despite the challenges he has to provide for his
family.
Best
has found it difficult to get enough work in Monze and Choma.
Recently he set up an office in Livingstone, but still finds getting
work a challenge. He has decided that he needs to do more studies to
gain a licence to operate as a solicitor. He wants to start in
January, but as usual the costs are high. He will make a considerable
contribtion, but without support will not be able to proceed.
Raymond
and Charles have not yet revived the PEASSA project, yet there are
people relying on them to provide some basic food to keep body and
soul together.
Obert
had hoped to have his leg mended. Unfortunately it wasn't possible to
repair the leg and he needs a replacement. He says that his spare leg
is too short which makes walking difficult, though he still manages
to do some driving.
We
have just moved into Advent – a time of preparation for Christmas.
In our secular world we are told that we must go out and spend like
there is no tomorrow – in fact apparently our (economic) survival
relies on this process. I think that we really must question the
model by which or lives are ruled.
For
several years I had a big problem with Christmas. How could I embrace
the enormous excesses of the season, while people I know well are
just hoping they will have something to eat. My friends and family
receive very few personal presents from me, but they know that some
people in Zambia will have a little extra food, some seed to grow
maize, next term's school fees paid, a roof to keep out this year's
rain or something else which will make a lot of difference to their
Christmas.
If
I don't get another chance, I wish you a wonderful peaceful and
life-giving Christmas – a time when you experience the real spirit
of Christmas full of joy and love.
Chris
