The Canadian Harm Reduction Network
Letters from Africa
2002-04-26Hi all,
Well its Fri. April 26, one week after my birthday bash, and here I sit in my new air conditioned office (a first experience since arriving!!), thinking of what you may want to know.... About 80+ people showed up to my party, where we quickly consumed many beer and about 35 kgs of meat on the two BBQ's which were set up. Guests represented all the groups/cliques/circles that I have met since my arrival, and it was amazing to watch, who knew who. It is a very small world, something I am constantly reminded of, so interlinkages were aplenty. Noone was killed, there were no fights to speak of, and noone 'embarrassed me', something I was told are the signs of a successful party in Lusaka :). The bash ended up costing many more Kwacha than initially anticipated... but I learned lots about throwing a celebration in the 'scarcity' that is Zambia/Africa.
Drought has lead to all sorts of doom and gloom scenarios about the next months/year. In the rural areas malnutrition, which is always a reality, is worsening. More and more children are 'wasting' and there doesn't appear to be a disaster plan in place as of yet. (James recently returned from a 10 day trip to outlying communities... he missed the party,... but will hopefully send some more photos when able).
I now have access to a scanner in my office so will be able to send images myself. Also, I have hired Chileshe, a friend I've mentioned in past communications, to help 2 days a week at UNAIDS. The contracts are coming my way, and I continue to be introduced to people in all the right places.
Zambia was just awarded by the "Global Fund" (I heard the rumour last night) 90+ Million USD to fight HIV/AIDS over the next 5 years, one of the largest amounts ever.... so who knows what may happen next!!!!
I've begun my regular contact with NZP+ (Network of Zambian People Living with HIV/AIDS).... this has been so reminiscent of my early work with PWA, and AIDS Vancouver in the late 80's, early 90's. These people have so many needs, and so few resources, and currently spend much of their energies "eating each other" rather than channeling their 'rage' at external realities (poverty, discrimination, ... the 'virus',etc). I'm trying to facilitate some 'healing' meetings between organizations/individuals in the hopes of re-focusing efforts. Most importantly I negotiated with the Salvation Army admin. (who provide office space for NZP+, ZNAN,...), a space to put up a Volleyball net, and/or basketball hoop to jump start the idea of "Activities for Life". NZP+ speaks of 'Positive Living', but members have very little to do, and spend much of their time indoors in drab, unventilated offices that have no windows. Sometimes what people need is so simple, requires so little in terms of finances,... yet is the last thing to be considered.
For those of you who might like to assist, this is just one of the many things I'm hoping to do but will require seed funds from somewhere.
Note: For those of you linked with PARC, what do you think about the idea of twinning/partnering NZP+, etc with Vancouver -based AIDS Service organizations? (Could someone contact Andrew J. at A.V., or anyone at PWA, YouthCo, etc who might be interested in this idea?).
Also, I met with a wonderful woman yesterday, Dr. Rosemary Kumwenda from UNDP, who recently saw the video about Dr. Peter. She was so moved by his courage/story that she requested that I try to locate a copy of the series so that she could utilize it in the training of Doctors in Zambia. (Could someone contact the Dr. Peter Centre, possibly Maxine D., to see if this is possible?).
While I'm on the topic of requesting help, as you may know I will be visiting my family at the cottage in the Ottawa valley in July/Aug. A number of you have begun to think of fundraising initiatives in advance of my vacation so that I could return to Zambia with truckloads of Kwacha :). If anyone is thinking along these lines could you please contact Shelley so that there is a central person who knows whets happening? Anything you could raise will help. If you are interested in one of the specific projects on my previous 'Fundraising Wish List' just identify that and I'll try to facilitate your money getting to where it can be best utilized.
I won't have the chance to visit Vancouver this time around, but a few friends are intending to come and stay with me at the cottage, so they could be the couriers/messengers if you would like. I'll try not to harp on too much about fundraising.... but GET OUT THERE AND START RAISING SOME FUNDS!!!! :)
Got to go meet with VSO to iron out the initial glitches in my new role/job. Will try to communicate more regularly. Thank you in advance for following up on the numerous provocations in this email. Your support means alot to me, and if you were here to meet the people I spend time with you would also understand why I so much want to be of concrete assistance wherever/whenever possible.
Anything else you need/want to know from me? Scott.