Becky is an occupational therapist and her husband John is a carpenter/builder. They have visited mission stations in Zambia over the last few years giving practical help.
My husband, John, and I have been supporting the Wukwashi Wa Nzambi project since it began in 2005. There are many disabled children in Zambia, but the centres where they can receive treatment are few and mainly based around Lusaka or Catholic Missions. There are even fewer special schools, and although physiotherapy is available in towns, it is only in the largest hospitals, meaning poorer folk or isolated communities cannot travel regularly to appointments or groups. I saw this unmet need as an opportunity for Christian response and witness and in 2005 set about training the first volunteer to work with these children through play. I did this while helping at Amano Christian School.
Nine months later, we were able to return and found two small playgroups still running, one in Chingola and one in Kitwe. It was confirmation that this was a way in which Zambian believers could demonstrate their love and commitment to their vulnerable neighbours.
We spent two years establishing the project and then returned to the UK, leaving the management in the hands of local leaders and an association, the members of which had to sign up to be in overall control. Although we felt confident that our goals were realistic for the team to achieve and sustain, and that we could provide support by phone, e-mail and texts, were we expecting too much? In what kind of state would the project be on our return in 2009? Would the project grow or shrink? How would the team cope with the handling of finance?
All these questions were matters for prayer and our return visit was an opportunity to find the answers.
Goals and logistics
Our plan was to be in Zambia for about six weeks, but unforeseen circumstances reduced this to three. One of the aims was to allow Dr Ros Jefferson the opportunity to see the children and the situation on the ground from a paediatrician’s standpoint. She has expertise in the field of neurology. We also had help from Philip Grove and Stephen and Muriel Studd to get to and from the Copperbelt.
Our first week was spent meeting with the groups, encouraging the team and arranging the schedule for Ros, as she was travelling down to be with us from Chitokoloki. John also had to find the time and materials to connect water and power to the office, store and workshop. Some armoured cable which he had sent via Medical Missionary News (MMN) arrived just in time to do this.
The medical bit
Ros was able to have four clinics at churches where we held groups for parents and children. One of these lasted over 5 hours, during which she saw 28 children.
Our parent forum day focused on cerebral palsy (CP) and Ros and I shared the talks, to include the causes, risks and treatment of CP and a question and answer session.
All the parents from Chingola brought their children for assessment on the parent day. The previous week a baby had been brought to the volunteers. Felista was only three weeks old and had been born with a closed myelomeningocoele (a type of spina bifida). The baby had a fist-sized lump at the base of her spine. The mother brought her to see Ros, who immediately diagnosed obstructive hydrocephalus as well. This shocked the mother who had been told at the birth that her baby’s lump was a boil which would go away! The next day, Rebecca, our volunteer in Chingola, put Felista and her mum on a bus to Lusaka, so that she could have a shunt inserted into the fluid-filled spaces in her brain (ventricles) to allow the cerebrospinal fluid to drain and prevent raised intracranial pressure and ultimate death. We were able to see her in hospital when we arrived in Lusaka, and were relieved to see her mother coping well in the circumstances.
Many of the children suffer from epilepsy and there has been a recent problem with the supply of drugs to treat this condition. Children with uncontrolled seizures risk further brain damage, which is a concern. Ros has agreed to liaise with a retired nurse who attends a local church with Joyce and Henry Mutembu, so that if we can get appropriate drugs, they can be reviewed and monitored by a qualified person.
The personnel
One of our other objectives was to encourage the project volunteers. They are working so hard for the Lord and seeing many of the children’s lives improve. Volunteers are led by Joyce and Henry Mutembu, and there are now 25 of them - 22 in the Copperbelt and 3 in other locations. One lady, Mary Chiyseu, from Chitokoloki, has been single-handedly running a small group on a Saturday for the past year. Ros was able to attend one of the group sessions during her stay at Chitokoloki. Because of the commitment Mary has shown, we were able to promise resources such as the Disabled Village Children book, a bicycle and a second-hand mobile phone. When people are prepared to work hard like this, it is essential that they have the tools to do the job properly.
Emeldah, from Kalene, was also able to visit. She has about 30 children on her list and also works with in-patients. She has a good knowledge and skill base from spending nine months with Hannah Walker, a graduate physiotherapist. It is good to see the impact that young, committed Christian volunteers can have on the lives of others when they truly get alongside them. Emeldah was able to select some equipment to take back, including a small pink bicycle for a child needing ankle exercise, children’s walking frames and chairs.
Several new volunteers have started recently. This is an answer to prayer. One, called Richard, explained when he was interviewed that his early years were affected by severe illness. He feels God has used this experience to make him sympathetic to children in similar circumstances. His ambition is to become a doctor.
Some statistics and developments
Altogether, 132 children are being served and there are 7 boarding at Mambilima School. Most of the others are severely disabled and there is no school able to cope with their needs. This year an exciting step forward has occurred. A group of nine parents have come together, at Joyce and Henry’s invitation, to create a steering group for the establishment of a Wukwashi School.
During our stay, this group had their second meeting and made a plan to start in a small way. They have been offered use of the farm site, where we also have our store and workshop. We are encouraged that this site could become a focus for special needs. The current owner is donating the site for expansion of the project towards a Christian school and children’s centre.
John and I are very grateful for the continued supply of equipment and were able to assist with assessment and distribution.
Our most sought-after items are special shoes; we must give out two or three pairs every week. Thank you to all the people who collect old ones for the children. Large pushchairs are a great help, especially ones with three big wheels. Our children sit with their heads supported, thus saving parents a lot of backache from carrying them everywhere.
MMN has supported us with plaster bandages; over 60 children have received serial plastering for conditions like club foot. Ros was able to refer more of the CP children for tendon stretches, so we hope they will also be treated at the plaster clinic.
Finally, I would like to share how we were able to visit a Bemba-speaking assembly in Kalulushi. Joyce and Henry had asked if a group could start there and we were invited to share with the church on Sunday morning. As we listened to the choirs, a lady slipped in and sat beside me. She spoke good English and explained that she came to this church because they were expressing their faith in practical ways, supporting orphans and widows. The response to our request for help and for the start of the new group was very encouraging. Eight new children arrived for the first session.
Amongst the children was a girl with a deformed foot, caused by a snake bite. There were several children with cerebral palsy.
We wanted to start this group because one mum carried her 14 year-old boy for an hour and a half, then caught two buses to reach Kitwe. Now she will be able to make the group in two hours instead of four.
The answers to our questions have been found: the project is thriving, the Christian volunteers remain strong through good and bad times. But with more expertise they could be even stronger, and, with sponsorship, neglected children could receive foster care or be found placements in the new school.
If you would like to know more about the Wukwashi Wa Nzambi project, please contact us directly: wrightsonharlyn@hotmail.com.