Last Friday, Mark and I went out to Mibila and Milulu, so that he could visit 3 families and take photos of them. Mark had previously visited the families 18 months ago, so it was interesting for him to see what had happened to them during that time. When we arrived in Mibila, the clinic was closed and the place was deserted. However, one man was able to take us to Stanley and his wife and their 2 children, one of whom is called Freda, and was the first baby to be born at the clinic 18 months ago. They could not speak English and the local man who took us to where they lived, was certainly not fluent, but we managed to muddle through, and Mark got his photos.
Photo: Mark gets family photo outside Stanley's house in Mibila
We then went to Milulu, and found Moses and his wife and their six children. With Sunday, as our translator Mark also managed to do a bit of an interview with them. Moses works most of the day in his field, and after a longer than anticipated walk from his house to the field, we were able to see that he was growing a wide range of vegetables and other crops. He explained the struggle that they had without being able to afford much fertiliser, and showed us how many of the crops were suffering because of it. Moses’ son also helped in the field after first going to school for the day before hand. It reminded me of the different lives children lead over here, while kids in the UK are probably playing on the computer or having a kick about with a football, here for this 14 year old there was manual work to be done helping his father.
Photo Moses (right) in his cabbage patch with his son, and Stanley (left)
Later we visited Sunday and his family. They moved to this part of Zambia from Northern Province in 1989, seeking the more fertile lands in this area compared to those in Northern Province. The other advantage is that it is easier to sell crops here because there are towns and markets closer by, whereas in the part of Northern Province that they lived in, it is much more difficult because there are few towns and markets. Prior to 1984, there were no people in this area, Both Milulu and Mibila are relatively new settlements in that respect. Indeed the first people to build houses here shared the land with elephants and all sorts of other wild animals. In the 1990’s the elephants were taken to game reserves instead, and many other wild animals have been frightened off due to the human occupation and subsequent hunting. However, while we were being shown Sunday’s plot of land near to the river, he interrupted Mark’s photo session, to point out a snake. He shouted to me that I should come and see it, however I wasnt able to have the pleasure of seeing it, as it slid away before I got there. I asked whether it was the deadly spitting cobra that Vincent had warned us about. No he answered, it’s worse, this one can kill you, the other one only blinds you. Sunday seemed a bit disappointed that I’d missed seeing this other cobra, but he said, dont worry I can see some when the rains come in a month. Phew, my fears that I would miss the chance to see deadly snakes in the wild in Zambia were put to rest!
Photo Sunday with his wife, baby son and elder son Richard in his field.
Sunday has 4 children, although 3 more had died at ages 18, 16 and 2 years old. Mark asked how this had affected them as a family, and they explained that they were sad, but somehow I sensed there was also a certain acceptance that children do die here and Sunday explained that everyone has their time. Did this affect their faith in God Mark asked. No, their faith is what strengthens them through these difficult times. Sunday and his wife both work at the clinic as volunteers, and also visit many people who are lame and those who are lonely. That’s where they feel their ministry is, as well as this, they attend church, enjoy singing a lot, and still find time to spend many hours working on their land each week. I found them to be a real inspiration, and the next time I’m feeling a little bit sorry for myself or complaining that life isn’t quite how I’d like it, I’ll be reminded of this couple who have so little, but give so much.
Next time on the blog…. Jo and I head off to visit the FCE programme.
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