The Canadian Harm Reduction Network
Letters from Africa
2005-03-07Scott's family went to Africa over the Christmas break. Here's Part 1 of "Impressions of Zambia" written by his mother, Jo-Anne.
To see an html version of this email, complete with lots of colour photos, you can go to http://www.scottgoestoafrica.com/update.65.htm
JO-ANNE GOES TO AFRICA.........FINALLY!!!
I never had a burning desire to travel to Africa. My impressions were of childhood Tarzan movies, cobra, Ebola and the like!! But I'm very glad that I finally took the plunge and visited Scott this holiday season, to get a real sense of Zambia, it's people, and the work my son Scott is doing there.
I will begin with my first impressions. I was pleasantly surprised by Scott's accommodations, provided by CARE. He has a lovely 3 bedroom home, with gardens, fruit trees and a pool, complete with the necessary round the clock guards, and an electric walled enclosure for security. CARE looks after his rent, guards, hydro (when it's working) and water (when it's working!), and provides him with transportation, so necessary for him to meet all his commitments. Although there are many repairs that the landlord has neglected, overall, I am happy Scott is not living in a grass hut! Although the house is not air conditioned, we kept cool at night with a fan, and were protected from mosquitoes by a net cover over our entire bed! (I was surprised that the mosquitoes in Canada are much more abundant and bothersome......only thankfully, they don't carry malaria!)
[photo of scott's house]
It didn't take us long to get into the reality of Zambia...almost as soon as we landed, Scott and Jodi whisked us off to the UTH (University Teaching Hospital) where baby Jodi was being cared for. (As you may recall, Baby Jodi was named after our daughter last December during Jodi's Xmas visit. (Baby Jodi's mother is HIV Positive) In a recent newsletter from Scott, you heard about her illness with malaria. In addition, she had a severe case of malnutrition. I did not expect I would ever meet her, as she was not expected to live. Today, however, she was being released! Jodi and Scott, along with her father Henry, had been to the hospital daily, caring for her, making sure they provided her with the necessary drugs, food, and vitamins that are not available on a regular basis at the hospital. Baby Jodi's skin had completely peeled off her face, due to the malnutrition. While there, we took a tour of the "clinic". Each child was cared for by her "parent" who brought in food, washed their linens on site, and nursed the children all day. I cannot express the sorrow I felt for the condition of the children, and the lack of treatment, equipment etc. available....
The enclosed photos speak for themselves, however, the little boy with the flesh removed from his scalp , had just a dry facecloth covering his wound....no ointment, medication etc. Flies landed on him incessantly when the facecloth was removed, and I fear that he was in danger of major infection.
[photos of UTH clinic]
While at the UTH, we were met by a cancer survivor who was to receive the 60 lbs. of prosthesis and accompanying bras that were very generously donated by Dianne Gamble, of Dianne's Mastectomy! I will report later on the formal presentation accorded us in the "cancer clinic"
From the Hospital, we delivered Baby Jodi to her mother in the Compound of Matero. Baby Jodi's home is unlike any we have here in Canada..there is no hydro currently, no running water, or bathroom facilities.
The day wasn't over yet!! Scott had initiated a group called ZARAN which stands for Zambia AIDSlaw, Research and Advocacy Network. They address the human rights issues impacting on those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS in Zambia. (eg. discrimination, national policy development, etc.) Scott remains a Board member. He had offered his home as a place for them to have a get-together/ bar-b-queue. They came with their food and busily exchanged ideas beside the pool etc!
Along with the Zaran group, a steady stream of other Zambians wandered into "Scott's Open Kitchen", where they know they can have a much needed meal if they haven't eaten! I believe there were about 26-30 in total there that night!
[photos of Zaran group bbq]
After an exhausting first day, Peter and I went to bed, wondering what tomorrow would bring on our visit to LUSAKA CENTRAL PRISON!
TO BE CONTINUED.......
** To see an html version of this email, complete with lots of colour photos, you can go to http://www.scottgoestoafrica.com/update.65.htm