Newsletter

Newsletter from Zambia

Via Robert & Pauline Chabinga

Tuesday 7^th July 2009

Catriona had difficulty again trying to get Robert on his main 'phone but got him on his NTM 'phone with a reasonably good signal. He sends his greetings to everyone.

Catriona asked if there was any sign of the mail, 49 bags having been sent on 1^st July '09.

Not yet, but Zambia had just had Public Holidays. Although their sorting office works on a Saturday morning they had a half-day so effectively they didn't work at all on the 4^th July. The Monday was Independence Day and the Tuesday was Freedom Fighters day so Robert expected it would be Wednesday or Thursday before the mails were moving properly again.

Catriona told him of two new possibilities concerning the “office work” of sending mail. The first is that the paperwork is done on-line and the alternative is to pay £1 for each Postal Cheque (the document which accompanies a consignment of mailbags and tells Royal Mail that AIDS Africa will pay the bill for postage). However we now find that instead of each mailbag going on its own line – there are ten per page – it is sufficient to use only one line. Catriona does not like on-line forms.

 

Pauline had travelled back to Lusaka on Friday 3^rd July and took the 'phone from Robert.

Catriona asked her if she was glad to be home and if she had heard about the changes in paperwork for the mail? She was certainly glad to be home and she wondered why Catriona was only being told about the mail now. Catriona couldn't answer that. She could only imagine that they had assumed she already knew how to do it – and that reminded her of sewing patterns. They both remembered Butterick sewing patterns : the makers thought that you must know what to do if you bought sewing patterns so they didn't waste your time including the instructions. They agreed that lots of people assume you know more than you do, “or that you are wiser than you really are”, said Catriona. Then she told a story from her 1^st Year Nursing . She was as green as the grass she fed her horse. Her second day on a ward and the male charge nurse suggested that Catriona clean out the medical cupboard. Now she always wants to learn so you'll hear her ask, “Why? Where?” and all the rest of the W's. And going through a cupboard is a good way to learn what people need to use. Some things she already knew – like why there were doors and shelves for instance, but there were many other things to ask the charge nurse about, “What's this? When do you use this? Why do you have a box of these petrol lighter fuel tubes?” She knew he smoked because she had seen him on the bus... The charge nurse suggested she take a couple home for her dad but didn't say anything else about these little brown tubes. Dad didn't smoke but the man next door did so she took them there. He came round and asked her parents why their daughter had given him two Glycerine Suppositories.

One way of finding out that things are not always what you think, but it made these two nurses laugh themselves (?)more silly.

This story will turn out to have an echo in a later conversation.

 

Her two daughters were still in Lusaka but they were fine, as was everyone else, said Pauline. “Oh?”, said Catriona, “I had a text from them saying they were cold because it was wet and windy. I spoke to them and I think they are missing you.” “No they are not. Its only my money they are missing”, said Pauline and laughed, “They have a blanket each.”

Catriona said that green lentils and recipes were on their way.

 

Monday 13^th July

Txt from Robert : I have just picked up 20 bags of mail all intact. He gave Catriona the box and bag code numbers to check off on the register so she knew exactly what he had received.

 

Tuesday 14^th July

Pauline answered the phone. Catriona said she had got Robert's txt but alas the lentils were not in those bags. Pauline commented on the lovely baby blankets and clothes. [These are from our knitters and crocheters.] Pauline asked Catriona if she remembered the the lady's shoes in Malawi.

Robert, Pauline and Zakeyo were sitting opening boxes one evening. Robert took out a pair of lady's shoes and laid them to the side. He glanced at them again thinking there was something about them. There was, one was dark navy the other black and both were right feet. Pauline said they fell about laughing. Then about 2 mail bags and 20 boxes on out came another two shoes one dark navy one black and thankfully they were two left feet. Catriona asked Pauline if she had found more like this with this lot of mail. She had. This time a child's shoe in one parcel and the other shoe in another parcel. Catriona said that must have been a 3 am parcel, the eyes are a bit dim by then.

 

Wednesday 15^th July

Txt from Robert : I have another 20 bags of mail. Catriona checked them off on the register, still no lentils.

 

Thursday 16^th July

New Project.

 

Community based workshops.

Pauline reminded Catriona about the programme run at Tionge Community School / Orphanage for the senior pupils who would be leaving that year. They are taught dressmaking and local crafts so that they can fend for themselves when they leave. The girls are particularly vulnerable as they can easily finish up in prostitution to earn some money.

The nun who is in charge of this school has taken this programme out into the community to the mothers or the carers of the children from both Tionge and the Griffith Farm Area schools. Although they live at the capital city and have the responsibility for children they are deprived socially, psychologically, economically and educationally. They come into classes at Tionge where they are taught English, dressmaking, local crafts, home economics, vegetable flower and fruit growing, basic hygiene, health issues concerning their children and themselves. They take their produce and sewing and crafts to the market and sell them to make a some money. This project has been running for a little over six months and is proving to be very successful. Resources for this and the existing programme for the school leavers are sent by AIDS AFRICA.

Most of you are aware that the beginnings of this charity were in 1999 while Pauline was still here.  Catriona and Richard bought cloth and sewing materials and latex gloves for her to send home. And then by 2000 the goods being sent increased almost weekly. The charity was registered in 2005. Since them we have regularly sent, sewing materials, needles threads, trimmings, machine needles wool knitting needles and much more. Joinery tools are sent out for the boys.

One of the main purposes for AIDS AFRICA is giving people a helping hand to do what they know is necessary. We give support for caring, to create workshops, or health forums; the Diabetic Forum in Chipata is a classic example, without the equipment we sent out there would be no forum, nor would there be trained testers going out into the rural areas to seek out sufferers and refer them to hospital. Pauline has trained these people to use the equipment.

The used spectacles we send have inspired two ophthalmologists one in Malawi and one in Zambia to run free clinics in the townships. It has inspired hope and imagination.

For this we thank everyone who either donates goods or money to us.

We also thank Royal Mail Johannesburg Airport Security and the Zambian Postal Corporation for caring for that mail.

 

Catriona told Pauline that there were 20 Simplicity [not Butterick!] sewing patterns among the mail and wondered if they could maybe used at Kapapamoya School where Theresa was involved in the Education for Life programme at the school. Pauline said she would halve them between there and Tionge.

Catriona didn't stay long on the phone as Pauline was leaving the following morning for Lusaka on the 5am bus.

 

Saturday 18^th July

Txt from Robert : Another 7 bags have arrived.

Catriona checked them off on the register. Hurrah! The lentils are among them!

Catriona txted Pauline : You will have to go back home the lentils have arrived.

Pauline to Catriona : I wish my Great Great Great Great Grandmother had left me some halloween tricks, then I could have gone on my broomstick.

 

Tuesday 21st July

Health Education Project in Chipata.

Robert and Pauline have started up information days for the mothers and carers of the children at Anatazio Mission School and the Seven Day Adventist School (Mwani). They might set up in a school hall.

They encourage the women to bring something for a snack. It is all put together and set out as a buffet meal. The last lot of tablecloths you sent out are being used for this.

Pauline said, “The women love this and bring their best dishes for this. Most of these women don't have a table let alone a table cloth so they handle the cloths with great care.”

The meal starts with a thanksgiving prayer and a hymn. Then some bible readings.

Then they are encouraged to ask questions on health matters for themselves and the children.

Many of these women are HIV positive and on treatment. They are reminded of the need to take their medication regularly and make sure they have a good diet. They are encouraged to grow vegetables even in the smallest corner outside their houses.

These women are desperate for information particularly about their teenagers.

Catriona told Pauline she had another pile of table cloths she would send out.

 

Roberts phone was on a good signal. He told Catriona he had just read the Broon's Cook Book and read the Sunday Post from back to front. He said he is going to practice some of the recipes for Pauline coming home.

Catriona said, “We are only waiting for two bags, that's excellent.”

Robert asked about the contents of the bags. Catriona told him they contained new children's clothing and one bag had 60 IV fluid giving sets.

Robert told Catriona he had had tried the vegetarian burger / sausage mix. He fried it with some vegetables for his lunch and enjoyed it. Catriona suggested some other recipes [to see what happened to him].

Robert said he had been having a word with Tom and at the moment he was studying for his exams.

Robert asked Catriona to send his Greetings to Pauline from Chipata via Scotland.

 

She got Pauline via Theresa's 'phone.

After the usual greetings to one another Catriona asked if Pauline had been paid the June & July pay. She had not.

She said that the college owner had buzzed off somewhere again. But this time they were not going to hang around. They would go to the Ministry.

Catriona told Pauline there is going to be more tablecloths, but it would be late October early November (after the Zambian Day at the house) before we mail again. Unless of course some wealthy person leaves us a big legacy. Sweet chance of that.

Pauline said, “You never can tell.” She then told Catriona she knew a millionaire who was only 14 years old. He was a champion snooker player. He came from a very poor township background. Pauline said when in Glasgow she used to get up at 3am to watch him play on the World TV.

When she went home in 2000 she asked Robert about him because she had heard nothing for a while. Robert told her to watch the papers, she would see plenty of his misbehaviours. He had become alcoholic, gambling and womanising. She said it was sad he could not cope with the fame and so much money.

Catriona said that we see that here in some footballers. There is something to be said for having to save your money for something you need

 

 

Tuesday 28^th July.

Couldn't get Robert at all. The international operator kept telling Catriona that Robert was out of the area. What she really meant was that Robert couldn't see in the dark, because there was a power cut.

Phoned Lusaka for Pauline couldn't get her either. Catriona txted them both which they would get when the power returned.

 

Wednesday 29^th July

Txt from Robert : The last two bags have come, one had been opened but was tied with string, however the boxes inside were intact.

 

Tuesday 4^th August

New Project in Chipata

Zakeyo is running Bible quiz days when he has a Saturday home from school. Some of the small goods AIDS AFRICA sends out are used as prizes. Key rings, purses etc. The children are graded in school class age groups e.g. Primary 1-2 up to 16 years. A Bible Trivia Quizbook will be sent out to Zakeyo.

Pauline and Robert are trying to draw Tom into this in an effort to try and draw him back into the fold.

 

News of an existing project in Chipata.

Eastern District Hospital

 

A child was in need of a surgical intervention, but had had to wait a very long time, the hospital did not have any sutures. Just when the situation was getting worse for the child, our March consignment of mail arrived in Chipata it contained several boxes of sutures and surgical instruments, wound pads and dressings. Robert and Pauline were unaware of this situation and delivered the sutures and surgical instruments and dressings. When the surgeon was giving these goods, he wept got down on his knees and prayed thanks to God. This man has now written a paper about this child, and how AIDS AFRICA delivered these goods to him at such a crucial moment.

When the first lot of leg drainage bags, catheters and other urinary equipment arrived at both Seven Day Adventist Hospital (this one takes patients from Malawi as it sits on the border) and Eastern District Hospital, word quickly got round. People particularly men came forward for treatment. Some of those men had already resigned themselves to a lingering death in the bush. Women who couldn't bear the thought of a tube of some sort dangling from them into a jam jar or coke can, came for treatment.

To listen to these reports certainly should make those of us who either worked in the NHS or still do, feel very humbled.

Eastern District General Hospital houses the main Maternity Services and Premature Baby Unit for Chipata.

Robert and Pauline took the March consignment of baby and toddler clothes (hand knitted and crocheted plus baby blankets), sleepsuits, feeding cups, baby alarm, feeding bottles, cot sheets etc. to the nurses who were engaged in modernising unit.

 

New work in Lusaka.

The University Teaching Hospital

This is the largest hospital in Zambia and the only one of its kind. It has a huge oncology unit and recently added a paediatric wing.

However just like other parts of the Health Services in Zambia it has to rely on donor countries for money and there is a temporary halt to that just now.

This is the hospital which Pauline chose as the clinical area for the nurse students from the college and this was where one of her students was allowed to clean out a cupboard... The Atropine eye drops made this student temporarily blind upon trial. The panic was only temporary, but will have left a permanent lesson.

 

Among the books which we have sent out over the last 2 years were about 300 British National Formularys (BNFs); these tell what the dosages for different medicines should be. Pauline took a few to the college to let the final year students see them and encouraged them to take them to the clinical areas, to study the medications that their patients were being given. The medical students borrowed them from the nurses and when they returned them asked for Pauline's phone number to see if she could spare one for their medical library.

Robert was coming to Lusaka the following week and brought six, three each of adult and paediatric. So there are now six BNFs in that hospital library. We also send out British Medical Journals (our Chairman is a doctor) and these are put into hospital medical libraries.

 

Tuesday 11^th August.

Catriona phoned Pauline to hear that a legal letter was being signed by all the staff and sent to the owner of the college giving him two weeks to pay everyone.

Catriona tried Robert again and on a second attempt got a better signal. He was cheerful except that the man renting their Lusaka house had failed to pay his rent again for five months. He owes Robert 1 million Zambian Kwachers. There are 768 ZK in a UK £. He has to pay that. Then on the 1^st of October Robert's kicking him out at the end of the contract.

Catriona asked if he worked. He is self employed making engineering components. His younger brother is a minister in one of the local churches and his older brother is an MP.

Catriona said, “Pushing his luck.”

Then Catriona told Robert about a programme on Radio 4. A Lusaka business called 'Zambikes' is assembling bamboo bike frames for the USA market. This was new to Robert so he asked if she could describe the names of the people. She was able to find them on a website and discovered they were part of the 'Bamboozero' project but he doesn't know them.

 

Catriona related this story to Robert.

When her parents came home from Fort Jamieson (Chipata) they brought back some of their bamboo furniture including a two tiered occasional table. One of her Dad's many hobbies was watch and clock making and Catriona recalls going with him to get his watch and clock parts either to Simmets a wholesaler in St. Enoch Square or a bit more exciting 'the Barrows' where he would haggle for watches and clocks. Lots of them were provenance free antiques. He used to sit at this table, magnifier in one eye, holding a minute cog or spring in an equally minute vice, so engrossed in what he was doing that he was not aware that our Labrador dog was lying on her back chewing away at the leg of this table. The concentration was so intense that we couldn't shout at the dog nor dared we push her away. All we could do was either sit with bated breath awaiting the table to topple over, or go to another room so as not to witness it.

He rebuilt an old rosewood (product of Nyasaland now Malawi) wall clock, the pendulum he made from beating out an old brass jam-making ladle and the face from an aluminium pot lid. He made the hands and Roman Numerals from two or three packets of my mum's hair grips, which he kept nicking from her box.

That wall clock hung in our house for years kept good time and its chimes were sweet.

Its what Catriona calls a ticky clock and is sad that she can't buy one today.