Almost Packed

Saturday 13^th June

As I prepare for my next trip, I find myself being aware of some of the differences that I will face.

Here convenience food is readily available - packet soups and frozen pizzas are no problem. It is however some of the other items I will miss. Cheese can be obtained at a couple of places in Monze – but not Stilton or Gorgonzola and what is available is expensive! In practice I rarely eat cheese in Zambia! Chocolate is best left on the shelves! It doesn't taste the same after it has melted and solidified several times! However there are plenty of compensations. The market stocks lots of lovely fresh food and it all seems to taste so much better. Impwa and masala (not the spice, but a root vegetable) are products you won't find at Tesco's (or even Sainbury's or Waitrose!) - you probably won't even find dried pumpkin leaves or ground ground nuts. Of course in Monze there will be fresh bananas and tasty local eggs; tomatoes grow all the year round (and very quickly) if you have a water supply. However, there are a couple of things from home that I find important - namely tea and cornflakes!! When I get up in the morning I find my cereal and a couple of cups of tea very comforting – combined with the welcoming sunshine which invariably greets me, this sets me up for the day.

The past couple of days I have started to say goodbye to friends – so today's HANDS are signalling farewell and very soon a similar shake of the HAND will mean welcome. It is amazing just how important are our HANDS. My journey to Zambia this year is squeezed between two Hands Around the World events. A Trustees meeting where we reflect on the work of the charity over recent months (and perhaps years) and look at the path forward to ensure that we are able to enrich the lives of more children around the world. Children who can achieve so much if we are willing to lend them our HANDS. The day after I return to the UK in August we celebrate the charity's 21st Birthday with some of the people who have been involved in our mission, many of whom (like me) have found their lives changed as a result. If you haven't added your HAND to show support you might like to follow this link. HANDS Supporting Hands Around the World

Surprisingly I am almost packed with a few hours to spare. My 30kg allowance is proving quite a challenge. In the past I seem to have been provided with an allowance that was always ample – irrespective of the official scale!! The record was 3x23kg bags on a standard BA economy flight – I was surprised to find that in fact I was able to make full use of this gift.

As I say goodbye I receive many words of encouragement as well as an envelope or two with money to help some currently unknown people in need, who I will invariably meet. I am aware of the many difficulties that I will face – some of which I will not be able to resolve. Working with the local people it is generally possible to achieve far more than we could alone – people like Mrs. Sianga and Jennipher who have used the support we are able to give to make huge differences to many in their community. However, during my visit I will be made aware of the huge issues that these people face. They never have any reserves! Every Kwacha is spent as it is received and when unexpected bills come along the implications can be enormous. So often in our world we like to be comfortable and to guard against any risk. As I continue to read Jean Vanier's account of life at L'Arche it is clear that his life is firmly rooted in Christianity – a faith which worships a God who ended up dying the death of a criminal and preached a message of love and compassion and told us not to worry but to trust in him. (Seen to many in our current world as total madness!!) As with most worthwhile organisations finding the resources is a constant struggle, but he trusts in the message and example of Jesus and is able to transform the lives of many who have previously been abandoned by our world.

Life is not meant to be comfortable – if we have enough to do what we want to do, we need to do more.

I too have prided myself on having a small reserve in the bank for emergencies. Recently I have been challenged to dip into this reserve. If someone needs expensive medical treatment that might save their life, or another is in danger of losing their family home or yet another's house is in danger of collapse - though perhaps not the emergencies envisaged, surely the reserve should be used.

Needless to say I will travel to Zambia this year without any of the comfort of money in the bank. However this in no way compares to the life of my friends in Monze! Diven said that he would like to meet me in Lusaka but he hasn't any transport money. If he had 50 kwacha (£5) I am sure he would use it all to travel to meet me on Monday – and would be very happy, even though then he really would have nothing!

Maybe when we have nothing, we more easily turn to God and let him in. I have often thought that God within us often breaks out into a huge smile and I look forward to seeing those smiling faces when I return in a couple of days to that special place – my second home.

Chris

Long term relationships

Wednesday 10^th June

I must enjoy long term relationships!

Twenty years ago I made my first visit to Leonard Cheshire Home in Cheltenham. A friend had suggested that Danny and Yunus would like a trip to Lourdes. Indeed they did enjoy it and we became friends over the years, as a result I am still visiting Leonard Cheshire – though unfortunately both Danny and Yunus are no longer with us.

Today I took Peter to South Cerney (near Cirencester) where he goes sailing – I managed to limit my involvement today to that of driver and spectator – my main role these days is as a volunteer driver for the wheelchair adapted vehicles at the home. Before suffering brain damage Peter did a lot of sailing – learning his skills on the River Severn. Last time I accompanied him I found myself in the boat. It seemed that they didn't want an instructor with Peter' because he might take over, whereas Peter knew what was needed and was capable of being the skipper giving the necessary orders – what they really wanted was someone to accompany Peter who was totally incompetent !!! (and they found him!!)

Last year Jennipher visited the Leonard Cheshire Home and met a few of the residents. Today I talked to Kay who used her hands to show Jennipher how to make bracelets from loom bands and Paula who acted as our guide to the home – showing Jennipher around. Todays HANDS however are from Lizzie who has more recently followed Danny and Yunus on trips to Lourdes. Show your support by following this link. Give us your hand - Hands Around the World

I am getting through my list of things to buy or find and jobs to do before I leave for Zambia. Yesterday I collected my 'new' car which will make life a little easier and make Dilys happier!!

Our accommodation in Monze was also settled yesterday, so it was quite a day. I will be sharing this year. Deana and a colleague are heading out tomorrow and I will join them on Monday. Unfortunately we couldn't find a furnished house and will be busy trying to find something to sit on etc.!! Maybe I will be lucky and by Monday my chair will be in place!!

I have decided to buy a double mattress – not so much because I like a lot of space,but because I have a friend who had his mattress stolen several years back and hasn't been able to replace it. He is now married! It makes me realise just what some people need to cope with. For me 7 weeks without a mattress seems too much to cope with – for others these are the normal trials of life. Anyway after I leave my friend and his wife should sleep more comfortably.

As usual my luggage contains many standard holiday items!! e.g. 7 footballs, twenty knitted glove puppets, a few blankets, 20 bars of soap, a BP monitor, 6 bottles of clove oil and 600 cotton buds. I will get around to packing a few clothes on Saturday if I have any room left!

Having decided that a coach to Gatwick was too expensive I booked to Victoria and then a train from there to Gatwick. Of course if I had looked at the cost for one ticket instead of two I could have saved myself the trouble of lugging cases between the coach station and train station!

As usual this time is one of mixed emotions. There is the stress and anxiety of preparing for the trip together with anticipation of the joys and pain of what I will meet back in Zambia.

I have been reading a small book about John Vanier and his life with people with mental disabilities.

He reminded me how important it is to take time out to pray – to be with our God. Most of us are guilty of filling every waking moment and forgetting to take time out. I certainly plead guilty! We need a lot of help to do anything worthwhile, my coming visit will only be successful if I give the Lord a chance. I will have plenty of opportunity on my long journey on Sunday and Monday, I hope to make a good start – I will let you know.

Please pray for me!

Chris

HANDS

2^nd June

Time moves on very quickly! My flights are booked and in two weeks time I will once more be on Zambian soil. So I have started making lists, sorting out a few things and thinking how to fit in the little jobs that need doing.

Raymond is busy trying to find me a place to live. Deana will be out in Zambia at the same time so we will try to find suitable accommodation to share. I have warned her that I tend to have a steady stream of visitors who might disturb her peace, but she would prefer not to live their on her own. So far we have no success at the hospital. We have found a house with no furniture at Homecraft. Raymond found a house near the police station, but it seems that the lady who was to move out a couple of days ago has no where to go - so Raymond is also looking for a house for her. It seems that Raymond has walked the length and breadth of Monze in his quest to find us a house - the latest possibility is a place at Site and Service – apparently it has a wall fence, three bedrooms a kitchen, sitting room and bathroom – fully furnished! I have arranged for Teddy to give a second opinion before committing.

We travelled to Yorkshire over the Bank Holiday weekend to visit Dilys' relatives – particularly her mum. Unfortunately our car didn't survive the journey back and was abandoned in Birmingham, only to be scrapped last Friday. This will add the the challenges over the next few days!

Mike's marathon has raised £2,546 so far, which will be a great boost for PIZZ School – further donations can still be made at : Virginmoneygiving.com/mikedalyrun1 I look forward to meeting with Mrs. Sianga again and seeing the new classroom block take shape. We are still looking for volunteers to work on the building and help with the holiday club – no specific qualifications required!

We are approaching Hands around the World's twenty first birthday. I have been reflecting on the work of the charity and all the HANDS that have been involved with its work over the years.

There is enormous beauty in HANDS. I know a young lady who has a severe disability which among other things prevents her from talking. However she has the most expressive hands I have ever seen. Her hands talk for her in a very powerful way. In Zambia shaking hands is a ritual sign of greeting – of course there is a special Zambian handshake, which is often done with particular emphasis and enthusiasm. I will look forward to my Small Christian Community meetings where I must shake every hand and where some of the elderly women will launch their hands to give mine a great slap.

I recall meeting Obadia last year. He stretched out his hands inviting me to use mine to lift him into my arms. HANDS can invite and also be used in response.

I want to encourage everyone to lend their HANDS to support Hands Around the World and increase its profile – you can add your support by going to HANDS Around the World sharing and liking the page and perhaps adding a picture of your hand – or other hands which mean something to you.

Throughout this year's blog I will reflect on HANDS and encourage you to find out more about Hands Around the World which is the charity that has changed my life by introducing me to Zambia – a different world.

With love and prayers

Chris

A Lifechanging Afternoon

24^th April 2015

Gideon wants to be a pilot flying long distances to America and even the UK!

In August 2003 I spent an afternoon with Mrs. Sianga who at the time was a nurse working in “Home based care”. This meant visiting patients dying as a result of AIDS. She had no anti-viral drugs, just a few paracetemol tablets and some comforting words.

She took me to see some of her patients. Although I had been in Monze for a week or two, this was the first time that I had entered a house of one the poorer residents. Typically the houses comprise a single room made of bricks – sometimes the houses use 'burnt' bricks and other houses are made of simple mud bricks. The houses have no electricity or running water.

For me it was a humbling experience but one which made me feel very privileged. The people I saw were all dying – some very close to death. Yet, I was welcomed into their houses and was able to understand a little more about the huge challenges they had been facing. I remember that one lady was waiting for her young daughter (her carer) to return with a little sugar that she was begging from neighbours to go with her mother's maize porridge.

That afternoon changed my life! I think it was the experience of meeting these people, of their amazing generosity in sharing their lives in such vulnerable circumstances, that made me want to share my life with the people of Zambia.

I was talking to a friend from church the other day. He spent some time in Zambia in the 70s during a gap year after university. He was saying that he would love to return. He wondered what happened to some of the people he spent time with. I am fortunate that because of my regular trips, I have been able to maintain contact with many people – some who I met in 2003. People such as Jennipher's daughter Sandra who is a nurse in Livingstone, Diven, whose many adventures over the years have kept me busy, and many others who will greet me again when I return in June!

Mrs.Sianga also became attached to the families of her clients. I don't know what happened to the young girl who was looking for sugar. Her mother will have died within a short time of my visit. I am sure Mrs. Sianga didn't forget her. Maybe she became a student at PIZZ School - like so many of the children of those patients.

Fortunately anti-viral drugs are now available, there are still huge numbers of deaths from AIDS related diseases, but there is some hope.

I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to share my life with the people of Monze. Mrs. Sianga has dedicated her life to some of the most vulnerable people in the area and deserves every help she can get. PIZZ School is reliant on the funds that Hands Around the World can raise and obtaining sufficient donations is becoming difficult.

The more people who are willing to engage with the project, the better the chances are to ensure the long term future and development of PIZZ School.

Please forgive me for reminding you that Mike Daly is supporting PIZZ School by running the London Marathon this Sunday – every penny raised will help PIZZ School – if you want to donate you can do so online using this link Mike Daly's Marathon - supporting the children of PIZZ School

Of course donations can also be sent to Hands Around the World at P.O.Box 117, Monmouth NP25 9AR. UK.

Chris

Hunger in Zambia

5^th April 2015 Easter Sunday

Happy Easter!

It might surprise some people to realise just how much poverty there is in Zambia. I have just come across a report that puts Zambia in the World's top 10 hungriest countries – in fact if you look at their report Zambia is number 4 in the world, in terms of the percentage of under nourished people . In 2013 they estimated that 47.3% of the people of Zambia were under nourished. The World's 10 Hungriest Countries Last year the rains were not good and the changing weather pattern has continued to make the rain erratic this year. The rains effectively stopped in February – at least a month too early – yet last week the Palm Sunday procession had to be cancelled due to heavy rain. Rather than helping, this rain will have damaged the poor maize crop still in the fields. The crop is therefore again likely to be very poor and hunger even worse.

When talking to Jennipher a couple of weeks back she asked me for help for some of her clients. She told me “people are dying here”. It is hard for us to imagine such a situation. It is not the starvation some agencies like to show on television to shame us into giving, but it is a shortage of nutritious food which results in under nourishment and susceptibility to illness (especially if already HIV+). This is why too many of Jennipher's clients are dying.

It therefore shouldn't surprise us when we hear how important it is that PIZZ School provides a meal for their students.Supporting Orphaned Children at PIZZ School Zambia This year Mike Daly is running the London Marathon to raise funds for PIZZ School. All money raised will go to support the school. He wants to raise sufficient to fund meals at the school for at least 3 Months at a cost of £1,000 - £1,500 (possibly more Mike Daly's London Marathon I am fortunate to have seen students like Mawini grow up – she is now studying medicine at Lusaka university - Maxwell who did very well with his school certificate and GCE and with support will be able to become a science teacher. Others like Samson, and Mwanga – the lovely girl with the smile and frizzy hair who is featured on our Facebook page and some of our posters - I have the joy of knowing personally. I know just what a difference this school has made to some of the poorest children – all who know what it is like to be hungry.

because of the extra students recently taken on by the school). Personally I would like to secure meals for one year! We are also struggling to cover other costs – particularly teacher's wages. If you want to support PIZZ School I would be grateful for your help in spreading the word.

I am therefore wanting to advertise the marathon as widely as possible to ensure that it is a great success. I am sure that with your help the future of this wonderful school can be secured. At this time Mike has raised £811.20 plus Gift Aid – lets watch the total rise!!

Please help me by sharing the links, Thank You,

With my love and prayers for you and your loved ones this Easter,

Chris.

Jennipher's Portrait at The Garden Gallery

29^th March 2015

At this time last year I was in Zambia. On Palm Sunday I was in Monze where I joined in with the procession and services.

Obert and his family attend Our Lady of the Wayside church where I attended the service last year. Obert has an artificial leg, but this hasn't stopped him becoming proficient at riding a bike. Last year he achieved another milestone by passing his driving test. He showed off his new skills by taking me to Pemba (about 35km from Monze) to collect jennipher on my final day.

Obert is currently managing to get a little work driving for a friend, but one day he hopes to have his own taxi. He occasionally rings me to have a chat.

When Jennipher visited us last year, a friend and local artist Sheila Bryant painted her portrait – in fact she created two paintings. One of these paintings will be exhibited at the Garden Gallery in Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham as part of the Easter at Montpellier Gardens events which take place next week  1^st April to 7^th April. http://www.montpelliergardenseaster.com/

Chasing a drream

24^th March 2015

You might remember that when I was in Zambia last year, Diven persuaded me to help him to buy a plot and build a house and shop. For Diven his dream is to have a family, a house and a little business to enable him to provide for them. A relatively modest ambition and one that most of us share. In Diven's case it was a dream that he doubted would ever be possible to fulfil.

The last few months have not been completely straightforward – though since I have been involved with many of Diven's adventures over the years it shouldn't surprise me. The house and shop were roofed and the costs kept rising!! By all accounts the building was good, but it would not be appropriate to have such a building without a decent toilet. More construction was started – thousands of bricks and numerous bags were obtained and what seemed to be a super loo started to take shape. This was just before the start of the rains! It seemed that the construction was not good enough and a disaster occurred. The walls collapsed and water flooded into the foundations. There was concern that the house and shop would also be damaged.

Time has moved on and the toilet has been reconstructed, the house and shop are complete and partially plastered. Shelves and a counter have been installed and Diven is now starting to trade.

The other change in Diven's life is that he found a girlfriend and is now married with a child on the way!! Let's hope that all goes well and Diven realises his dream.

Chris