Giving and receiving of gifts is a big part of community life in Milo and especially so at harvest time. The beans, peas, maize, ground nuts, avocados, blood fruit and lemons are present in abundance and we are often the recipients as we don’t have our own shamba and are still considered as guests. Besides our contribution to the life of the hospital and school and therefore to the health and educational issues of many is much appreciated is expressed by giving us gifts. We have been roasting peanuts in a variety of flavours – diced radish is a success though some of the chili versions have been rather extreme – and eating pea soup and kande (the latter made of peas, beans and maize. Our own peas and rabbits are a useful addition and we are able to reciprocate gifts by giving away rabbits since nobody else has a surplus of this commodity. Of course we have a great store of cash too – our own funds and those supplied by St Asaph Diocese, friends and sponsors of education supports many ventures including college students, medication for poor patients, medical fees for members of staff and other friends, building projects and travel and subsistence costs for various courses to name but a few. It’s a joy to watch the reaction when we are able to say, ‘Ni zawadi! It’s a gift!’
Godly Play has taken off at last after two false starts, the second interruption being our return to UK for vaccination. Around 40 nursery children eagerly awaited our arrival for the second session on Friday morning and Patricia our hospital matron told the story of God’s gifts of light and water, fruit and flowers, life in the air, the sea and on land, and a rest day every week. In the introduction to the story, children responded to the question, ‘What’s the best gift you have ever received?’ with a list of answers: bread, soda, cake, chocolate, yoghurt, sweets, biscuits (and a doughnut). That’s the complete list. No toys. No books. No pets. No bicycle or holiday or any luxury item aside from food. It’s a simple life here and the children appreciate the simplest of things.
The weekend brings welcome relief after a busy OPD schedule. On Friday evening the film Whale Rider was projected on the lounge wall while we shelled peas and drank ginger tea. Saturday morning chores were therefore easier than usual with rabbit-ready pea pods and a full water butt for the garden. There was a stay of execution for the friendliest hen (that never lays eggs) – two rabbits were prepared for the pot instead.
A visit to the hospital at 7.30am Saturday to initiate treatment for abdominal TB after completing drainage of 10 litres of fluid, in a patient who delivered here 3 months ago. Last week her baby had a bout of malaria and was treated successfully but now it’s her turn for treatment. We had her on a cocktail of drugs for peripartum cardiomyopathy but she has not responded and it’s been almost 6 months since fluid began to accumulate while she was pregnant. We have no confirmation yet but can’t wait for that. It may never come. Response to treatment will confirm the diagnosis. I am reminded of my paternal grandmother Nellie dying of pulmonary TB, 8 months after giving birth. That was in 1916 and conditions here are similar that era in England. TB often gets worse during pregnancy. I do not want to witness a similar incident and hope the drugs available now will forestall that outcome for Grace and her baby.
As our UK grandchildren return to their schools, pupils in Standard VII in Milo Primary face their national exams with less hope of a good crop of English results than last year. There are exceptions, and once again a bright girl from a poor family looks set for sponsorship to a private school in Ludewa. The local secondary school has been disappointing of late and sponsored students are ill-served there; they and their sponsors deserve better. All have now been moved elsewhere. As we enter the holiday period, Hilary has opportunity for well deserved rest as she emerges gradually from a respiratory infection that has dragged on for almost three months. We are coming to the conclusion that Covid has been responsible perhaps with secondary infection. There have been a considerable number of respiratory deaths amongst the elderly in the village in recent weeks, and the wearing of masks in the hospital and church, and the gradual acceptance of vaccination, are welcome developments.
One highlight of the week has been the successful relaunch of the hospital Wi-Fi installed a few months ago but never really got going. A faulty ethernet connection was identified during a WhatsApp call with Jangala Big Box who donated the system and now we have near enough hospital-wide connectivity.
The past week has also provided several opportunities to watch ‘The Chosen’ and we are one episode short of completing the first season. No doubt for those of you who have lived through Covid lockdown the novelty of home entertainment has long worn off. For us it has been a case of seize a chance while you have it and Joseff has introduced us to this excellent production of the life and times of Jesus of Nazareth which brings alive the characters and context so well. It’s another gift and another story – the story we find ourselves in many chapters later and the gift of God’s Son to the world he loves.
We are enjoying it immensely. Check it out. Ni zawadi!
brechdan 