First things first - Oh my word - how slow is the internet here !!! Give me the wireless broadband internet any day of the week over the satelitte - doesn’t work in the rain - system we have here. Still, I should be grateful we have it at all as this time last year we had no phones, no e-mail, no internet, in fact no communication with the outside world from Chikankata. My mini project for this year is to upgrade the IT systems as it makes a big difference on a professional and personal level for the hospital and staff to have this sort of contact.

We arrived back on Tuesday and we were overwhelmed by the warm welcome we received from the people here. We are already missing our family and friends very much and feel a little homesick. On the other side, we have also missed Chikankata too and in some ways it’s great to be back. Heidie was trying desperately not to be offended by everyone saying that she had “grown fat” or “got big”. Of course, it’s a very big compliment in Zambia but I am not so sure Heidie saw it that way. (Note to self - when someone says your wife has “grown fat”, do not, under any circumstance whatsoever, laugh, snigger or smirk - it does not go down well!)

We left Zambia when it was very dry, barron and roasting and when we returned it’s raining each day, lush but often roasting. Last night it rained so much that we were called over because the Hospital had flooded. Welcome Home Richard. At least I am now able to shower, although often the water is so brown you actually wonder if you are dirtier getting out of the shower. The Hospital has been fine and if I am honest, I found it in a much better way than I expected.

On the down side we were saddened to hear of the death of two young men while we were away. Both were members of staff and have young families. It saddens me that so many people are being lost to preventable diseases and illnesses, many in the prime of their lives. Just under 10% of our catchment population are orphans – that’s a terrible statistic!

Finally on a brighter note, let’s be havin’ you! My wife has managed to bag her self a regular spot on Zambian Radio this year giving one minute recipes. What!? So today she recorded the first ten, each one which will be broadcast twice a week. I did offer a suggestion for inclusion in the recipe slot but it was not accepted…

Take £3
Go to MacDonalds and say “Can I have a Big Mac Meal please”
Don’t forget to add “Go Large” after the first request
And there you have it
Lovely Burger and Chips

So if you regularly tune into Zambian radio listen out for “Heidie’s One Minute Recipes”. It’s Egg-Flan-Tastic!