Cholera, Malaria, drought, hunger. Africa can be a hard place.
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All articles filed in Zambian Tales
The star of the show
Hi to everyone again, from my hilltop haven in Wales. So I told you wrong in the last post. In fact Ketty started her education proper in her second term. The first was cramming sign language, which I guess continues. But she’s started on mathematics and introduction to science and other stuff. They give school…
Read MoreSettled in at school
Seems ages since I posted. The fact is that I’m now living in a Welsh hilltop ashram and everyday life seems so far away. But we’re a busy place, established and run by a renowned Yoga Master, Swami Nishchalananda Saraswati, so there are courses and many people passing through. Many of them now know of…
Read MoreKetty’s first month at Magwero school for the deaf.
We managed to keep away for a month! After we dropped Ketty off for her first taste of school (https://ulingana.wordpress.com/2017/01/17/a-very-special-school/) we only had one communication from the head, that Ketty was doing fine. Alice & Catherine bought loads of vegetables & stuff in Chipata, on the way, then we went to the school. Saturday, day…
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A good year!
The Goddess of the World says, ‘don’t think you can help my children. That task is mine and you will never understand my ways for I am the chaos and order of Nature, in all her beauty. But for having that wish, I will bless you again and again’.
Read MoreCultures and Vultures
Abstract: Has the concept of ‘working for a living’ become distorted away from our own best interests, without us realising. Rural Africa, which is regarded in the West as being third world, may have a far better cultural model. Who wants to work! Actually I do. Love doing stuff, creating, being productive. The norm…
Read MoreSaint Francis of Tiko
Two back-to-back 8 hour flights then a 7 hour drive, and I arrive at an NGO near Katete, Eastern province Zambia. Just before Christmas. I’m there to be a ‘volunteer’, though in truth I suspect I gained more than I gave. Tiko is a backpacker lodge but has many local people working there to maintain…
Read MoreEastern Zambia
This part of Africa is one of the poorest parts of the world. People cook outside, with firewood, which is one of the indices of poverty. Village life can appear an idyll. The climate is beautiful, social relationships are mostly co-operative and people have time to talk, to enjoy simple pleasures. Such lifestyle can appeal…
Read MoreThe Chewa: Gule Wamkulu
With thanks to Unesco for permission to use their video – see below for explanation. I went to Gule Wamkulu in a village in Eastern Province, with the director of the NGO where I was staying. She and I were the only muzungus (white people) there so it was very personal; arranged for us by…
Read MoreMagwero School for the Deaf
This post is what the fundraising for my young friend Ketty is all about. This is the school which holds our future hopes. Difference between an education, and zero prospects for a young deaf girl who is not understood by anyone in the community except her close relatives.
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