Missionary Newsletter September 2020
Dear church friends,
Just a short letter as we all cope with Covid 19 and its devastating health, social and economic effects.
Thankfully the outbreak has been slow coming to Zambia with just around 11,000 diagnosed cases since March. However, I am sure there are many more infected than diagnosed, as diagnosis is haphazard and takes a long time for results if you are outside the capital. It is also disturbing that 75% of the diagnosis is for “brought in dead” for those who are tested in the mortuary. Testing mainly seems to take place in Lusaka, but perhaps that is where the outbreak is strongest. A story which illustrates our lack of sophisticated methods is about my gardener, Cain, who had a flu-like cold and went to the clinic, he came in smiling the next day saying he was told he hadn’t got Covid. Impressed at the quick result I asked him how they tested, - oh they took my temperature and said it was ok; thankfully they seem to have been right!
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Hans |
With the Covid restrictions of social distancing, Play4all stopped looking after children in March, but we decided to continue the food programme (many thanks to Laurenz who offered to fund this) for about 20 needy children. We also managed to provide blankets for them when it was cold at night. Jane identified 7 of our 19 volunteers who also needed help, and we provided money to buy basics. One of these volunteers was Rabecca, who has been volunteering at Play4all since the very beginning in 2012. About a month ago she collapsed and Jane took her to the clinic (our equivalent of a GP surgery) where they said she was taking her TB tablets without eating. Later we realised she was giving food to her children and probably going without. Sadly, although we helped her with extra cash, 2 weeks later she died and the children now live with their grandmother. Little Sana, age 7, is absolutely devastated but thankfully someone has helped her family with a monthly sum so they will always have basic food needs met.
Another sad story concerns Hans, a 6-7-year-old little boy who was in our feeding programme. Jane was told he was sleeping in a ditch and she found out his mother, who has alcohol and mental health problems, had abandoned him. Social welfare were reluctant to assess because of Covid, so Rhoyda, one of our volunteers agreed to take him in and Play4all is covering some of the costs.
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The broken lap wood fence |
A couple of weeks ago we had a break in at Play4all, and Mr Sakala, the guard was roughed up and tied up so the thieves could steal our lap wood fencing. We think these wood-off cuts were taken to use for a funeral fire, where men traditionally hold a vigil all night outside around the fire, whilst the women remain in the funeral house. When Jane costed up something more secure we were surprised at the price rises. The cheapest option will now cost around K15,000 (about £600).
Jane, is now mum to Glory Nkasi, and coping well despite her husband working away. He hopes to return to the Copperbelt next January and work at the University in Kitwe.
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Glory Nkasi |
I have recently been in contact with Bridget, a student I knew in Kitwe, who is now a nurse in Mansa. I helped her buy her own PPE as she said the hospital was not providing any for general nurses, and later she mentioned that the designated Covid clinic only had 2 sets of PPE which were rotated to the oncoming team at the handover. A conversation with Rev Brian Porteous from Torbain church resulted in £900 being collected throughout Kirkcaldy Presbytery and we were able to buy everything they need for the coming months. Some of the money also went towards the recovery of Bridget’s 15-yearold cousin, Nathan, who is on dialysis as a result of attempting suicide with an insect repellent shortly after his mother died. He is expected to make a full recovery in due course.
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PPE Supplies |
Another former student in Kitwe, Kabutu, continues to be faithful to his group of children and elderly people in Kandabwe, one of the poorest and most notorious compounds of Kitwe. He is hoping to farm some land when the rainy season comes, for food security for his groups, and has been promised seeds by a local well-wisher. People from the UK have also helped with the price of fertiliser, I am sure that is much appreciated, and will help many if the harvest is good.
Please pray for Marita whom I have been supporting for almost 10 years. She has had a troubled life. She lost all 3 of her girls before their mid-teens and currently looks after her late sister’s children Gabriel and Emmanuel. Their younger sister, Faith, also died as a child when she fell out of a mango tree. Marita used to take in washing as she is limited for work having elephantitis in both legs. Recently she has been diagnosed with cancer and struggles to cope with these wayward boys. She is supported for rent and a small amount for basic food.
Other prayer items include – a secure and happy home for Hans, the full recovery of Nathan, the continuing work against alcohol addiction in Choma, and of course the Covid 19 epidemic.
With every good wish to you all
Jenny
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