Day 9 – 16th October 2025 – Rescues Required
Robbie to the Rescue
Robbie has proved yet again how invaluable he is to HHZ!
Kingsley is a small boy who has spina bifida. A recommendation was made by the physiotherapist at Holy Family to Kingsley’s mother that a supportive chair and standing frame would help to strengthen Kingsley’s spine. Robbie made the necessary measurements; we supplied the funds to buy the materials and Robbie set to work.
This morning Kingsley tried out the new seating arrangement. It is just perfect and because the Standing frame is adjustable, it may be used as Kinglsey grows. Kingsley’s mum was very pleased to have received such a quick service.
Another piece of good news is that a hand propelled cycling cart arrived in a box this morning from Lusaka. This will be a lovely surprise for Grace who is currently struggling with her wheelchair. Grace has had both legs removed and because she is immobile she is gaining weight. When we visited her at the beginning of our Zambia visit, her mother suggested that this cycling cart may just be the solution. Thanks to the funds we were given to use while we are here, the cart was purchased and has now been very professionally assembled by Robbie.
Look out for a smiling happy Grace on Saturday morning!
Kingsley and Mum trying out new seating
Chair and standing frame made for Kinglsey
Hand cycling cart ready for Grace
Grace’s cart being assembled by Robbie
Menstrual Hygiene at Chiyumu School
Imagine travelling on a rough, orange dusty track for an hour and a half and not seeing any other vehicle. Yes, there was the odd cyclist and many skinny cattle and goats wandering about but that was about it for miles and miles. This was the journey I took to Chiyumu Primary/Secondary school with Alistair and Primeldah, the HHZ seamstresses.
Alistair and Primeldah make reusable menstrual hygiene packs, and they explain to teenage girls what to expect during puberty, how to care for their bodies, and how to use the recyclable sanitary pads during their menstrual cycle. Both Primeldah and Alistair have received training on how to deliver the important message that there is no need for girls to be absent from school during their menstrual cycle.
John drove us very steadily all the way and on arrival we were welcomed by Harriet, the Headmistress. More than 200 girls, aged 11-15 gathered into one classroom, listened attentively, clapped and received their packs which include 2 pairs of new underwear. Female staff also received their packs, and Harriet wrote a very positive comment on the feedback form…
‘The program came at the right time and was for the right age.. thank you. Please come again!’
Primdelah speaking to the girls
Alistair speaking to girls Grade 6-9
229 students received their free packs.
MH packs contain two pairs of new underwear for each girl.
One of the students showng understanding of how the pads work.__
An Afternoon Adventure?
Jute wrote…
As we were leaving about 10 pupils asked John if they could have a ride home in the back of the HHZ vehicle as we would be passing the track which led to their rural huts on our way back to Monze. In they jumped and off we went.
It was a good job they came with us as 10 mins into our wobbly journey homewards the engine cut out and failed to restart.
Everyone out!
John looked under the bonnet.
What could we do?
It was 35 degrees Celsius and not a soul was in sight in any direction as far as the eye could see! Thankfully John had a phone signal, and he promptly contacted a mechanic in Monze! After describing the problem, we were advised to push the vehicle as a fast as we could and jump start it in 4th gear.
However, we needed a bit of a slope to do this which meant turning the vehicle around. This was a huge effort from us all in the searing heat but after about 30 mins of struggling we managed to restart it, only to have the same problem 2 km further on!
Totally exhausted we arrived back in Monze. The boys had jumped off while the engine was running, and we treated ourselves to a well-deserved ice-cream.
Can anyone suggest a way we can acquire a more reliable vehicle to facilitate the work of HHZ??
Primary school children who helped push Hilux