Thursday 17th October 2024
Medical Matters
Twelve-year-old Chipengo Ndeleki has a number of health conditions. She is blind, has cerebral palsy, a heart condition and, since birth, she has been carried around on her mother’s back. Lack of funds meant that Chipengo missed her last appointment at the National Heart Hospital in Lusaka so it has been decided that once a new date has been confirmed, HHI will fund the visit to the hospital. And, to help relieve the mobility situation facing Chipengo and her mother, before returning to the UK, Jute and Kath will purchase a wheelchair for her in Lusaka.
Chipengo 12 years old being carried by Mum.
Sixteen-year-old Choongo visited the HHZ compound because she needed further funding to attend Beit CURE Children’s Hospital in Lusaka for a review. As a result of regular visits to the hospital, her health has improved greatly. Indeed, at one time she was reliant on a wheelchair, but she is now walking!! Without HHI funding Choongo would not have been able to afford these hospital visits… a success story because of the generosity of our loyal supporters!
Choongo who is walking now because of HHI funding
A School with a Difference, Making a Difference
Headteacher Mr Arthur Bweupe expressed huge appreciation for the way HHI is helping to sustain the school. As well as providing the regular monthly feeding costs, without which the school would be really struggling, HHI pays the full fees for 6 students. Two new students from Ntambo, Bwalya, 13 years old who is blind in one eye and Freddie, 16 years old who is deaf and partially sighted, both enjoy being in Nanga school thanks to HHI funding.
The computers, provided by HHI, were being used by the students under the careful guidance of their teachers Amy and Mary. Meanwhile, the house parents prepared a meal of Nshima, cabbage and eggs using the gas cooker, installed by HHI, which the children then enjoyed seated in the dining room. You may remember that the tables and benches were made by the HHZ carpenter, Robbie.
The school grounds now have an impressive vegetable garden. Cabbages, maize, ocra, and bananas are growing well. Some crops are used to feed the students while the remainder are sold to generate income. Thankfully, HHI funds the maintenance of the irrigation system which has kept the vegetables growing despite the drought.
Nanga students using computers. Girl in middle seated smiling new__ student from Ntambo community.
Freddie16 years old new student at Nanga from Ntambo community
Cabbages at Nanga
Maize at Nanga
Nanga bananas.. ready in a few weeks.
In the years since Naanga school was first visited by HHI, huge changes have taken place. Indeed, thanks to our committed supporters, it is a very different place, but now some repairs are needed. These include concrete to fill a few dips and cracks in the floor and the addition of a ramp by the back door of the dining room. Also, it’s possible that a partially constructed two roomed building could be completed and made into a home for one of the teachers who, as Mr Bweupe did before HHI built his home, is currently sleeping on a classroom floor. Could this be the next change?
Gas still working well for cooking Nanga
Nanga students enjoying lunch together.
Ramp needed for back door to dining area and some windows need__ glass repair too
Could this building be completed with our funding for teacher at Nanga
The Big Picture
Mr Bweupe was very pleased with the Big Picture Film Company film, and it has been shared with all the Nanga staff on their WhatsApp group. When looking at this wonderful film it’s easy to see what Mr Bweupe means when he says that HHI’s support is invaluable and appreciated.
And…
It is just as well that Robbie has already repaired the wheelchair for Chabilo. because on the return journey to Monze, the Hilux was laden with several broken wheelchairs which no doubt Robbie will repair with ease!
Chabilo’s wheelchair repaired by Robbie
Nanga students wheelchairs needing repair