Wednesday 23rd October 2024

October 25, 2024

Home and Away (Please read all the way to the bottom for some amazing videos.)

Home – Today’s visitors

Dinnar Haambulo

Disabled Dinnar Haambulo, secretary of the Tuyandaule Disabled Club, arrived late last night. Dinnar is an elderly, very quietly spoken gentleman with excellent English. He was given food and then slept overnight in the HHZ compound prayer room. He asked for a bicycle for his group so that they can reach Monze town in order to buy necessities. Kath was keen to fund a bicycle costing £88 using her donated kwachas. Dinnar was also given £4 to travel back to his home community.

Dinnar wanting bicycle for disabled group

Vincent

9-year-old Vincent has spina bifida and is paralysed from the waist down. His mother was seeking funds for him to attend his hospital appointment on November 12th as he needs to have his internal tubing replaced because he has grown. £108 was given to Brenda to purchase another wheelchair so that Vincent’s mother doesn’t need to carry him. Three wheelchairs in total will now be collected in Lusaka on Saturday!

Vincent needing money for hospital transport money and wheelchair

Away – Choongo Dormitory Handover Ceremony

The HHZ staff along with 2 trustees, Mr Gondwe and Pastor Fundi, were smartly attired in their HHZ T- shirts ready for the Big Day. Jute and Kath wore their tchtengi dresses, courtesy of disabled seamstress Grace.

The HHZ team set up the ribbons on the dormitory door, the HHZ banners were on display, the ‘tent’ was set up for all the guests and dignitaries which included everyone from HHZ, Chief Choongo, area member of Parliament, headmen, and Jute and Kath. Importantly, the disabled students were also under the tent, including Bibian who is doing grade 7 exams next month.

HHZ banners and dorm ready for ribbon cutting

Bibian doing grade 7 exams next week

The Choongo students traditional Tonga dance group were dressed in their colourful costumes and were dancing rhythmically to entertain us while we waited for the final bits to be organised… tables, tablecloths, microphones, drinks, and benches for the students. One girl, who uses a crutch, danced extremely well on one leg. Pic attached. The Choongo choir sang the national anthem beautifully and it was good to see disabled students in the choir too – a totally inclusive school.

Choongo school choir

Traditional dancing disabled student moving with ease

There were many speeches, some in English and some in Tonga. Mr Gondwe spoke well as did Mr Musila, the Choongo head teacher. All the other speakers thanked HHZ/HHIUK for the dormitory completion. Jute did her speech and highlighted the fact that its HHZ alone which has been helping the disabled for 25 years in the Monze District. She also explained how the UK funds are raised and how the UK team and the HHZ trustees are not paid. To conclude, Jute urged the students and the house mothers to look after the building by way of thanking HHZ.

Interestingly, some of the other speakers, including one man who is hoping to be voted in to be a local MP, promised solar panels, bore hole and an office. He had also provided 400 sacks of maize and cow legs for the celebratory children’s feast!! HHZ’s generosity is contagious.

Kath made a very eloquent speech about ‘inspiration’ before she cut the ribbon to the dormitory and unveiled the plaque. (Pics attach) 4 bunks have been put in place to show how the rooms will look when completed.

Be Inspired!