Friday around Ndola

FRIDAY 26th OCTOBER 07

I woke about 6am as it was getting light and then again at 6am. Ken and I had a cup of tea which we were able to make in our room. Then after breakfast at 8.45 Bishop Derek came and picked us up with Bishop Peter and Liz. We went to Margaret Hall, an MU sewing project in Mushili Parish, on the outskirts of Ndola. Father Pascal Chalwelwa is the priest there, with his wife Jessie. She hasn’t been very well – her limbs have been aching. Mushili parish is linked to St John’s, Bridgewater.

We met Julia Fundulu who is the Mother’s Union coordinator for the project. Beauty and Jenny are the instructors. We went into one room, packed with students and sewing machines. They study a 6 month course and are government affiliated, so they take exams to qualify and get a certificate. We watched the girls sewing at the machines. Julia told us anyone can steal anything from your house, but they can’t steal your skill. Those who are able and keen can move on to an advanced level. This building and the idea that came from the MU has taken 5 years to come to fruition. Little by little with what they could afford they gradually built the building brick by brick. The church next door in Mushili parish paid for the roof and the electricity. It is called Margaret Hall after Margaret Wineberg, who was MU president for many years and did a lot for the MU. Mr Iddaney Chapema is the chair of the board for Margaret Hall.

Challenges that they have:
Sewing machines need frequent servicing.
Electricity costs.
State of walls – large cracks.
More books on sewing needed.

This present course started in June and they take their exams the first week of Dec. They can train up to 50 students at a time, as they have morning and afternoon sessions. Later in the morning a nurse came to talk to them about HIV awareness. I asked them about when the course finishes is there any help for the students to own their own sewing machine. If the MU can afford it they try and give 5 machines to the best students.

We then went into the next room and saw a class of preschoolers. They had little uniforms shirts on, all made by Evelyn, their teacher who had been one of the first sewing students.
The other half of the room had grade 1 students,. Messie, the teacher was in the middle of giving some remedial help to one child and the others were all doing a simple maths test quietly from the blackboard.

Challenges Are:
Not enough desks and chairs. Need a larger blackboard.
Uniforms so the students can go on to government schools.

These children are aged 6-10yrs and have missed out on going to a gov. school either because of enrolment problems, - not enough places- or the child couldn’t afford the school uniform and school books.

There is also a problem with water supply – it is very intermittent, especially in the dry season. They would love to put a bore hole in.

We were then driven around Pascal’s parish – we saw St Agnes church, just made of mud, so they are building a new church next to it. So far the foundations are down and they will build the walls as they raise funds.

Then we drove to Kabushi Church, also in the parish of Mushili. This one was just made of wood and looked as if it wouldn’t last very long. They already have a large church half built. The walls are about 8 foot high and foundations are complete. Holy Trinity has 900 members, many have to walk miles to come, hence church planting in strategic places where people have access to the church. St Agnes has 657 including children and Kabushi has 600 registered members. Usually about 100-150 come, as many are trying to earn a living selling in the market.

Then we returned to Holy Trinity, went in the church, and enjoyed Mother’s Union dancing and singing. We all had to speak, first Ken, then me, then Liz and then Bishop Peter.

Julia, the coordinator spoke – Margaret Hall started in 2001 with 2 students. 161 have now been trained. It was begun to help those in adversity. They also do classes for HIV awareness. There is a need to sponsor students as the government has stopped sponsoring. There are 5,000 kwacha fees for appreciation to the instructors. Julia welcomed us warmly, and was keen for us to take ‘our picture’ wherever we go, to help with their work.

I gave out Mother’s Union cards with the MU prayer on – they were thrilled.

We were all presented with a shirt and Liz and I also a wrap around skirt. The students had made them while we had been looking around the parish!!!! They hadn’t measured us, just observed us when we came into the classroom! I tried mine on and joined in the African dancing with the ladies!

Then we had lunch in Pascal’s house and saw Jessie who was feeling a little better.
!2 midday came the time Bishop Peter and Liz were due at the airport! Time moved on and still no sign of Happy Banda, the Bishop’s driver! He’d been sent back to get the visitor’s book for us all to sign! Nothing happens fast here – Africa time! We eventually got to the airport, only to find the plane hadn’t even landed yet! We heard the president’s wife was due to land.

The Mother’s Union, including Evelyn, the Bishop’s wife turned up to say ‘goodbye’ to Bishop Peter and Liz, but they had already gone through to the departure lounge! Ken and I went back to the guesthouse for a short rest before Florence and Happy Banda were due to pick us up to go to Lunchu!