Hello everyone,
While the world has been battling Covid-19, Zambia has not had it as bad as many nations during the last year! However, in the last 3 weeks this has changed dramatically. As I write today on 28 June, 2021, hospitals in Zambia are full to capacity, mortuary's are overflowing and graveyards have run out of space. Quite a number of my friends have had Covid-19 and thankfully survived. One of our CCAP ministers has Covid-19 and quite a few of the members too. Many prominent people in this country have succumbed to the virus and are no more. This is a real health emergency for this country.
I am hoping to get the second dose of the vaccine tomorrow and very thankful that I can get it here when so many have not even had a first dose. Hopefully in September (imagine...another 3 months away) Zambia will get more doses of the vaccine.
The last weekend of May, I went camping for the weekend with some friends to Lotri bay, a remote spot on the banks of Lake Kariba, or Kariba dam which is shared by Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Lotri bay is a beautiful spot, of course its lake Kariba and so we had to be on the lookout for hippos and crocs!! Most bodies of water in Zambia have these lovely residents!! Thankfully we did not see any!
There is a ridge you can hike up to and look across the lake, and a gorge you can climb down into. We did this on the second morning and I struggled because of arthritis in my left leg and it was dreadfully painful (I think exacerbated by the cold weather)! I made it but it was slow going!!
There is a swimming pool (croc free) built into the lake, and you can go out in canoes too! We did a sunset cruise which was quite beautiful - the light in the evening was incredible!
There are also quite a few Zebra around and they came around the tents to graze which was very nice to see!
And lots of Impala who are so shy I didn't manage to get very close to them!
When I came back from Lotri bay, it was apparent that numbers of people being admitted to hospital was increasing rapidly. I had a discussion with the Synod officials and we decided that I should not travel until things settled down again, so I was back to working from home. We had already decided that in July and August there would be no travel as we have Presidential elections in August and I didn't want to get caught up in any of the political rallies.
So...the task for working from home is now to make a manual which will be used by trainers to role out the Child Safeguarding policy to our congregations! Quite a big task but hopefully I will get a draft done! I also want to make some materials for our ECD centres.
On 16th June, we had a message from the Ministry of Health saying that all schools would close again on 17th June for a minimum of 21 days which will be reviewed. Restaurants were closed except for takeout, churches have to limit their services to 1 hour only twice a week, and so on.... It seems like we are back where we were in March 2020!
The day the schools were closed I was quite fed up and so I took an hour and went to visit the elephant orphanage. There was only one other person there and so social distancing was not a problem! Such a joy to see these little ellies having fun!
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| This elephant started screaming when the keeper took his empty bottle!! |
Once or twice a week I try to go for a good long walk with a friend. We met these two small boys on one of our walks. I asked them if they went to school and one said yes but school was closed so they had been sent to collect firewood. The bigger boy said he did not go to school as there were no school fees. He said he could not remember when he had last gone to school! So much for education being the right of the child. Primary school is supposed to be free but without a uniform and other expenses of course children can't go! I felt very sorry for this lovely boy!
June 16th is the International Day of the African child. Usually there are big celebrations and it seems ironic looking at the last photo I have just shown! Celebrating that children are protected, have freedom to play and to learn while in reality in much of Zambia many children are forced to work and do not receive a good education.
I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to stay in a house with a lovely garden, lots of trees and flowers and small critters running around! There is no room for boredom if you enjoy nature! I was able to watch a 'Play summit' online last week which was free because of Covid. There is another one next week. This means I can still learn more to help our teachers when we next get to meet!
So to finish this blog, here are a few photos, taken either around the house or on a local walk! Please pray for Zambia and its people at this very difficult time!
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| Amethyst sunbird |
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| 4 little bee-eaters sitting on a branch! |
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| Snake eagle high up above us |
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| Maybe the snake eagle killed this snake - it was a large specimen! |
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| Fork tailed drongo |
and lastly, a beautiful bushbuck watching us closely!
Thank you for continuing to read my blog. Thank you to those congregations who are still putting services online....I appreciate being able to join in worship from home!
Wishing you all a blessed week ahead!Diane x
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