First Days back in Monze

After 3 very strange years away, I am quickly acclimatising to life back here in Monze. Of course friends such as Jennipher and Diven have been to see me at my new house.

I have a decent sitting area in my house, but I like to sit outside in the garden. It attracts a lot of birds. The sparrows and pied crows play on the lawn, but in the trees are beautiful Starlings whose feathers shine a beautiful iridescent greeny blue – a truly beautiful tropical bird.

I went to Our Lady of the Wayside church on Sunday and was warmly greeted by fellow members of St. Veronica's Small Christian Community who wanted a picture taken. Inevitably some friends are no longer with us. Queen who was one of the first Community members that I met has sadly passed on. Her son Brian escorted me to her house so that I could meet with the group many years ago. The Community meet most Sunday's in the afternoon, in each other's houses – or more accurately outside each other's houses. I would never be able to find the next meeting point without a guide. Usually someone will meet me, if not someone will be able to help me on my way! Kennedy's wife also died and tested positive for COVID. I was told a lot of the elderly had died.

The day I arrived in Monze the traffic lights were off. On enquiry I was told that the electricity bill hadn't been paid! The lights have worked since – when they are out, it is now because the power is down! We have had several power cuts since I arrived. It took me a while one evening to realise that I needn't sit in the dark. I have 5 solar security lights with me!!

Ireen found me very early on. She has been my tailor since 2004 and makes me several shirts each year. She now has a business selling mattresses two of her children are now helping at the shop – I remember when she was struggling to pay their school fees.

I enjoy walking to the market to buy vegetables and spices. The lady who has sold me spices over many years was not around – another lady seems to have taken over her stall. A lady from the church sells me nsala a root vegetable which I coat with pounded groundnuts after boiling and then fry. This appears to be a unique way to prepare the vegetable, but it makes them very tasty!

As I was buying vegetables in the market a lad came up to me with a huge smile and greeted me. He reminded me who he was. When he and his brother were young they lost their parents and were on their own. Mrs. Sianga found them and took them into her school. She also introduced them to a benefactor who provided a small house for them to live in. With a watchful eye kept on them the young children thrived. He was looking very well and is now working in a shop near to the market.

Angelina popped around earlier today. I know her well from the church. Her son Nelson is in Lusaka training to become a nurse and wants to come to Monze this weekend to say hallo. Mike said hallo a couple of days ago. He was working at Nampeyo Guest House in 2003 where we stayed on our first visit. He has struggled in recent years, but seemed to be in good health and spirits when we met.

I continue to meet with friends and there are many more that I will see in the coming days. All have stories to tell, many have challenges to overcome. Occasionally I can make a difference and help them have a better life. Obert came around a few days back, in his taxi. When I first met him Obert said he had a problem. He walked with a limp because one leg had grown, but the other, being artificial, had not! A friend in the UK offered to pay for a new leg and a couple of years later, when I located Obert – in fact he found me – things got sorted. Since then I have come to know him well, along with his parents. He obtained his driving licence and is now a taxi driver. He has a wife and child and has built himself a small house. He came around to show me he latest car.

My purpose in coming to Monze is to catch up on friends. It is by sitting and chatting that I learn a little more about this very different country. The change in President seems to have brought about positive changes. As with all things, change takes time and sometimes the interim can be challenging. For instance eduction including Secondary is now meant to be free. However, this isn't the case. I am told that it has reduced in cost, but is not free and therefore is still beyond the reach of many. Some extra teachers have been appointed to try to accommodate extra children at school, but they are not enough and there are not the new schools to accommodate the children. However, things seem to be moving in the right direction.

I'll pop into town now and then no doubt return for lunch and spend some time reflecting in the garden.

Take care,

Chris

Back at my second home

It is time that I posted my first blog from Monze in 2022.

I arrived after an uneventful flight. All my concerns were alleviated as I moved from Cheltenham to London, on to Amsterdam, Nairobi, Lusaka and 30 hours later reaching Monze. Covid regulations varied throughout the trip and the vast majority only wore face masks when obliged to do so.

Having taken all sensible precautions before reaching Monze, it would no longer be appropriate or necessary to wear masks etc. I have already shaken more hands since I arrived than in the previous 3 years!!

I am fortunate to have good accommodation in Monze. After a few challenges
I have a self contained small cottage with all I need including a large quiet garden and a pool table!! I now have a local SIM and access to the Internet.

It didn't take long for friends to call out or run over to greet me. The welcome I receive is so heart warming. Brian was one of the first to say hallo – a Rasta fist instead of a handshake, but accompanied by a big hug. I intended to keep in touch with Brian while in the UK but couldn't get through on the number I had. I have been chatting to Brian at his small stall over many years. At one time he would bring out his boxing gloves for a little gentle sparring. Brian is one of many intelligent guys who never had a chance to complete their education and thus their prospects are limited.

Being in the centre of town I venture out regularly and invariably meet old friends. On one occasion I didn't make 50 metres before being stopped by three people.

Ian stopped in his car – he was working at Monze Mission Hospital. I started some work on databases for the hospital in 2004. Working side by side over a number of years we got to know each other well – he told me he had a little shop just up the road.

Once again I failed to recognise Mrs. Chaambwa – something I have done consistently o
ver many years, it's amazing she still talks to me! I have always had difficulty recognising faces – my wife Dilys can confirm this as I didn't recognise her the day after I met her! Mr Chaambwa was the headmaster at Monze Basic School and I became involved in a small project at the school. Not that I was needed – Mr. Chaambwa was more than capable of managing the project. We continued the friendship long after the project finished and we used to go out for an occasional drink. Mr. Chaambwa died in 2018.

The third person was Elizabeth who I knew from PIZZ School. She told me that she passed her grade 12 exams but hadn't a job at this time. However she looked well, confident and happy. Children like Elizabeth would never have had a chance of education to grade 12. without PIZZ School. Government education does not cater for orphaned and vulnerable children. Although in theory education is free and has been, for the first years of education, for many years, the need for uniforms, shoes – even notebooks means the resources are not there and these children need extra support because of the daily difficulties their families face. I have known many of these children from PIZZ School since they were very young. The changes are dramatic – particularly in their liveliness and confidence – something you can't measure. Hundreds have been given a chance to realise at least some of their dreams.

I have met many more friends over the past few days and the smiles say it all. More of that next time!

I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to return to my second home.

With my love and prayers,

Chris

An Imminent Return

Preparing to Return

I am busy sorting myself out for the next trip to Monze. I managed to get COVID and Flu boosters today, I have had a Typhoid booster which brings all my jabs up to date – though I wasn't pleased that I was told by my surgery that I had to go private for this jab, despite being within the prescribed time frame. I managed to squeeze in another blood donation – I might still get to 100!!

I keep remembering bits and pieces I need to find or buy. I have a “new” laptop which I need to set up for my use in Zambia. There is no chance however that it will make the return journey. I am receiving lists from my friends – many requests will not be met!! My mosquito net received a wash today – it should be retreated tomorrow.

I have some solar lights to take out – though somehow I have mislaid a couple! Some years back I visited a rural health centre. I remember seeing a patient leaving in an ox-cart – ambulances are still very much a luxury in Zambia. The midwives were complaining that women would come to the clinic during the night, about to give birth, and they would forget to bring with them a candle! The thought of delivering by the light of a candle is not something to contemplate – let alone delivering without one!! I decided that there must be a way of improving the situation. So next year I brought a solar security light with me which could be switched to stay on constantly. I wasn't sure how effective it would be, but I thought it was worth a go! After some months, I asked my friend Jennipher whether it was OK and how long it would stay lit. She told me it lit the room all night. Apparently a women was so pleased she decided to name a child after me. So some poor Zambian child now bears the name Barrell!!

I have been glancing at the weather in Zambia and for some weeks - it appears to be sunny and upper 20s or low 30s. I can remember not seeing any cloud for 4 weeks or so on past visits! After such a period, even a small cloud is a delight!

As usual I approach the trip with joy, but also some trepidation. I know that I will find that some friends are no longer around and that I will experience some harrowing scenes. Many of my friends face great challenges – some health related, but most have economic problems. Many find it increasingly difficult to support their families. Providing education is a huge challenge and, although in theory a lot is free, I know from my friends that without external support the children would not be educated.

Many of my friends have tried to develop businesses, but for various reasons these often struggle and some fail. I will be faced with many challenges – particularly on this visit. There is a lot to catch up on since my last visit in 2019.

I will keep you up to date with my adventures.

Take care,

Chris

 

Changes in Monze Diocese

Changes in Monze Diocese

Early in 2021 Bishop Moses of Monze Diocese died of Coronavirus. During his time as Bishop he started the project to build a new cathedral in Monze and it is planned to hold the official opening very soon. The new cathedral is built next to the Curia (Bishop's Offices) where I have stayed in recent years – it seems that the builders are using the guest house where I was accommodated, so it is unlikely that I will be able to stay there this year.

Earlier this year Fr. Raphael Mweempwa was consecrated as the new Bishop of Monze. Fr Raphael was a priest at Our Lady of the Wayside for several years and he worked to develop the link with St. Gregory's Church in Cheltenham. When Dilys and Amy came out in 2011 he took us around to see various projects and introduced us to some of his family. I look forward to meeting him again soon when I visit Monze. I am sure that he will make an excellent Bishop.

The church has always been an important part of my life. On occasions people have asked if I am a Missionary! Of course I am not – at least in the normal sense. However I do believe that we are all called to use what ever gifts and resources we have to do good. The example and words of Jesus told us to look after those less fortunate than ourselves. I have found that when I am with the sick, disabled and poorest people, I feel closest to my God. Most people seem to find such experiences difficult – in my case I am very comfortable and have made many friends among these communities. Generally it is no more than friendship, but sometimes I am able to make a positive difference to their lives or to those they know.

I believe that it is only by making real friends and being accepted into a community that you start to understand some of the challenges and recognise the reality of extreme poverty. As a result of these friendships I have been introduced to situations where a small amount of dried milk, help to obtain seed, food or a water supply has made a significant difference to a person or community. To have these friends has greatly enriched my life.

Of course friendships also present challenges. My friends often have huge challenges and get into all sort of scrapes! I will continue to do my best to ensure that they can have hope in the future.

Chris

A Tragedy

 

A tragedy

So much has changed in the past 3 years. In many ways the world will never be the same.

When I visited Monze at the end of 2019 I couldn't have imagined what was about to happen and that it would be three years before I could return to my “Second Home”. When I return unfortunately some familiar faces will no longer be around.

In April Fr. Kenan died in tragic circumstances.

I was first introduced in 2007 to Fr. Kenan by Diliwe a parishioner at St. Gregory's church in Cheltenham. She was a nurse who I understand did some training at Monze Mission Hospital. She came across Fr. Kenan when she was living in London where he was helping out during holidays from a course in Maidstone, Kent.

I invited Fr. Kenan to visit us in Cheltenham and he stayed with us for a couple of days and con celebrated mass at St Gregory's church.

I went out to Monze later that year and Fr. Kenan followed me back and took up the post of chaplain at Monze Mission Hospital. He invited me to stay at his mother's home for a weekend. Their home was well away from any discernable road, without mains electricity or water - but she had a solar panel which she used to charge neighbours mobile phones! It was one of the best and most memorable weekends that I have ever experienced.

During the following years our friendship developed. One day he was showing me around the parish grounds and buildings at the cathedral church in Monze where he had become Parish Priest and we came across a pool table! I must have expressed an interest because very soon a friendly sporting rivalry developed between us. This eventually developed to include many of the local priests. His call when left with the black ball to pot - “Champions only need one shot on the black” will stay with me as his epitaph.

He was always very generous towards me – providing accommodation at the presbytery when needed and transport to allow me to see local sights and meet various groups. He introduced me to Our Lady of the Wayside from where the link with St. Gregory's Church became established.

In 2011 when Dilys and my granddaughter Amy visited, he took us to Livingstone for a very memorable trip which included an amazing experience - seeing a vast range of animals in the National park as he drove us.

A few years back I was privileged to be with Fr. Kenan at his mother's bedside shortly before she died.

May they rest in peace.

I have kept in regular contact with some of my close friends in Monze. Jennipher and Diven keep me very busy with their projects and the scrapes they get into!

Life has been challenging everywhere during the past 3 years. What seems clear is that the poorest have, as usual, suffered more than others. In Zambia there is very little Government support for the poorest. For those who were unable to continue with their businesses there was no furlough! The cost of living crisis is affecting people in Zambia, which means that a desperately difficult life just became worse.

The harvest this year seems to have been mixed. The rains seemed be to be OK but they continued well beyond the usual April start of the dry season and some of the crops were ruined.

There is a lot to catch up on when I return. A number of friends are struggling and I hope we can devise ways of helping them to move forward with confidence.

There are very many people in Monze that I have not been in contact with since my visit in 2019 and I am keen to catch up. How has Rasta Brian fared? Is Ireen still busy with her sewing machine on the High Street? How is Obert doing with his taxi and how are his family? And what about my friend who provides me with spices in the market? There are so many people who have become friends over the years and I am looking forward to catching up.

As I prepare for my next visit I bring so many people to mind and remember them in my prayers.

Chris.

Mrs. Chiiya

 

Mrs Chiiya

Today I received the sad news that Mrs. Chiiya died early this morning.

In my last post I mentioned the guest house “Nampeyo” where our team lived during my first visit to Monze.

Nampeyo was owned by Mrs. Chiiya's husband and so it was in 2003 that I first met the Chiiya family. Mrs. Chiiya was headteacher at Tagore Basic School – a government school not far from the centre of Monze – and about half way between Monze Mission Hospital and Nampeyo Guest House.

Over the years Mrs. Chiiya embarked on a number of projects – initially a vocational skills centre, which morphed into a school and eventually became a school of nursing. This nurse training centre is still in operation.

I kept in touch with Mrs. Chiiya over the years and was always warmly welcomed with cup of tea and biscuits! We chatted over family and friends, Hands Around the World and her latest projects among other things. She was always very hospitable and it was good to catch up.

In 2011 when my granddaughter Amy came to Zambia she spent some time with Saki – one of Mrs. Chiiya's children.

Most years I would make a point of contacting Mrs. Chiiya – if I didn't bump into her on the street. She would always invite me to her house. She was a woman with a large presence – not only physically, but also had a large personality. She certainly made an impression!

I will miss her and will always remember what became her catchphrase “It isn't easy”. I trust that she is now at peace, her struggles are over and life should at last be easy. May she rest in peace.

Chris

The Beginning of my Life in Zambia

 

The Beginning

A parishioner found my blog on our parish website and reminded me that it is time to post again.

My blog online goes back to 2007, but doesn't cover the first years, so I thought that it might be good idea to reflect on where my life in Zambia began.

In 2003 I set out with a team of 8 or 9 volunteers to travel to Zambia. The theory was that we were going there to build an ICU at Monze Mission Hospital.

Hands Around the World is a small charity which had been running for about 10 years. It was established by David Steiner after he spent a year with his family in Zambia. During the malaria season lots of children came to the hospital where he was working, and many died. He decided to set up the charity to do something to support children in the poorest areas of the world and try to make a difference.

Previously teams had been to Monze Mission Hospital and did some work to improve the laboratory and pharmacy buildings. Now you might wonder why a team of 8 or 9 people, often without any building experience, would be sent 5,000 miles to construct a building! This was my first thought when I first made contact with Hands Around the World. My next thought was there must be another reason for us to make the trip. I should point out that before going out the teams were given the task of raising sufficient funds to cover the cost of the trip.

So apart from building work – which in our case amounted to knocking down the wall of an existing building and collecting rubble to help form a base for the foundations! No we didn't get as far as seeing a concrete base laid! - our hosts were asked to give us the opportunity to experience a little of the daily life round us.

In 2003 even making a call to Zambia was very difficult. From what I recall, our visit was planned almost entirely using the postal system. If we were lucky we would get a reply to our letters within about 3 weeks!

We arrived At Lusaka airport in July and it was my first time on African soil. Even now when I arrive back in Zambia I am surprised. It is very familiar, but so much I have forgotten. Yes, the pleasant warmth is there, but there is so much more that it difficult to describe. The character of bird is sometimes referred too as it's zizz. Zambia has zizz! The colour, the sound and the smell is different and for me that has now become so welcoming.

I can't remember my first impressions. An international airport where our plane is bigger than all others and one of only a few without propellers, where you descend from the plane and wander across the tarmac to the arrivals building.

We were lucky – our last letter must have arrived, because there was a minibus to take us to our destination in Monze. For the next 3 – 4 weeks our home was to be a new guest house Nampeyo (now renamed moonlite because of a conflict of names!)– so new that some construction was still being undertaken. There were a couple of showers – though only one provided hot water. I got used to cold showers! It was quite basic, but sufficient.

Each day we work walk the kilometre or so to the hospital, returning to the guest house for lunch. One of the main jobs was helping to make concrete blocks for the foundations. I spent a lot of time with a young man called Obie. I remember he told me that the work was really too hard for him. He said that the calories he needed to make the blocks was more than those he obtained from the food he ate. I have no idea what that must be like. This was the first time I realised what poverty really meant – there would be many times in future years when I would be confronted with the reality of poverty in Zambia. I once read something written by Mother (now Saint) Theresa of Calcutta. She said “some people say that you should give people a fishing rod so they can catch fish, my God some people haven't enough energy even to lift the rod!” I know that this is literally true.

Working with Obie I began to realise why we were in Zambia. Spending my days chatting to Obie – telling him a bit about my life and learning about his set the pattern for the many future visits I would have. There is nothing better than sitting down with someone over a cup of tea or coffee and sharing stories. In fact I always say this is by far the most valuable thing I do on my trips.

I met a number of people on the building site and in the guest house and had a chance to build a relationship. Captain was the guy in charge of making the blocks – he is still around in Monze continuing this work. Lashford was in charge of the building of the ICU. He was lso involved in establishing and building an Evangelical church in Monze. Tragically a child of his was killed while very young in an accident. Chris was a general worker at the Guest House and is still there. Suki – another worker at the guest house – obtained a licence to drive lorries and travels the country as lorry driver. There are others from that period who I still meet from time to time when I visit. Obie has had various jobs selling mobile phones and accessories among other things.

The ICU was completed by local builders in 2006 and I was fortunate to be in Monze for the official opening. It is not a high tech unit as we would have in the UK, but there is a nurse on constant duty looking after no more than half a dozen patients. It will have saved lives.

One day we were asked to provide a volunteer. Somehow that turned out to be me! I was togged up in a gown and taken to the operating theatre where I was to witness a hysterectomy! I had never been present at an operation before and was surprised that a general anaesthetic was not administered – instead the operation was performed using an epidural. The surgeon was Irish and we had met previously. He gave me something of a commentary as he did his surgery!

The other time I volunteered had a more significant impact on me and I like to think it was the key factor which made me return to Zambia and get to know the people better. There was nurse working at the hospital in home-based care. Put simply her role was to visit the many people dying of AIDS and try to bring them a little comfort. She had no drugs other than a few paracetamol tablets.

So one afternoon I was asked to accompany Mrs. Sianga on her rounds. Firstly this took me away from the centre of town into the compounds where most of the local people live. A mixture of (burnt) brick and mud brick houses with either corrugated iron or grass thatched roofs. Generally very simple houses – many just a single room. I think that all the people I saw that afternoon were women and all were close to death – some had a week or two to live - others less. What astounded me was the way I was welcomed into their homes. It was a real privilege to share that time in what was a very personal and private space. I will always remember a lady who was waiting for her daughter to return with a little sugar she was going to beg from a neighbour to go with the nshima porridge (the staple food made from maize meal) she had cooked. The child – perhaps 9 years old, or younger was her mother's main carer.

Since that time I have made other visits with Mrs. Sianga and those working with her – fortunately the antiretroviral drugs mean that AIDS is no longer the death sentence it was in 2003. Each visit has taught me a little more.

Before we said goodbye to Zambia on that first trip, we spent couple of days in Livingstone and visited the Victoria Falls. I have never felt comfortable being a tourist in Zambia because most of my friends in Monze will never get to enjoy the beauty their Country has to offer.

I will end here because I want to devote my next blog to Mrs. Sianga and the work she has been doing since we first met.

Chris

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