Charlie Chikankata has a lot to answer for! Here I am in the heart of rural Zambia, working for The Salvation Army as the Manager/Hospital Administrator of Chikankata Health Services. Not so much an intellectuall reflection rather a kind of journal of the unexpected.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

In the words of my sister - I'm so excited I can hardly breathe.


Today I am posting from my house! How amazing is that! VERY! This week we have had the wireless internet installed and 4 of us can use the internet and e-mail system from our homes. Less than a year ago we had no phone, no mobile connection, no e-mail and no internet and now we have all of them. It's so amazing! OK it's a little bit slow (about the same speed as dial-up), but what do I care - the main thing is its working. Big it up for my IT man - Kennedy Nakaanga. As you can see me and some my friends - we're happy.

Also this week I am installing an old hot water tank into the house. That's right, I can get wireless internet in my house but I can't get any water. I seemed to have given up showering for Lent, albeit not through choice! Anyway we shall see how it goes

Monday, March 26, 2007

Oh my word – there’s two of them!

So this weekend, Bright (who works in our garden) and his wife had a baby girl and they called her Heidie. It would be fair to say that my Heidie was so chuffed and proud. Yesterday we ventured up to Nanzele, one of the nearby villages, to see little Heidie for ourselves and see she’s absolutely beautiful. We are really pleased for Bright. He's a fine young man. Who is really working hard to make something of his life and provide for his family.

Then in the afternoon we went to see the new addition to our family, Ronaldo. Named after Manchester Utd’s Christiano Ronaldo (Ron, for short) is our new puppy and was born two weeks ago so she (yes, Ronaldo is a female) is staying with her mother for another week or so and then she’ll be moving into the Bradbury madhouse.

Unfortunately at present, it seems I am not able to upload photos but I will try again later.

Friday, March 23, 2007

Chikankata is some place!!!
It's like one big see-saw. It's like depths of depression one minute and heights of elation the next. It's like the best place to work one day and absolutely the worst place the next. It's just too difficult to explain.
This week has been a hard week. The more you scratch, the more you find. It's nearly two years since we came here and we are still finding outstanding (in all senses of the word!) problems. So this week another $10,000 bill. Apparently we took legal action over something or were defending legal action in 2002 and the case was settled in Court early 2005. So when you go to get some legal advice from our lawyers, the state they can't help us because we still have an outstanding bill. What's more they are giving us limited time to pay. An all too familiar story.
There are so many issues to try and sort out and the majority of them are none of my doing and I don't mind admitting, I'm getting fed up with it! You put a vehicle in Toyota Zambia (don't get me started on them!) and it takes them 5 months to fix it. You have to spend $4,000 to pay for a new pump, caused by dirty fuel from somewhere AND THE VERY NEXT DAY IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM IT WENT IN WITH! How does that work?!
My accountant and I did the cash flow forecast for the next three months and basically we are going to have to 'find' about $20,000, (10,000 pounds) just to break even. Not sure were that's going to come from but I believe we'll get by. Not wishing to revel in others misfortune I found a paper from 1991 entitled " Hospital's Financial Survival Plan" which cheered me up a bit. I know from people like Commissioner du Plessis and Colonel Gauntlett, men who are fair more qualified and esteemed than me, that Chikankata has seen it all before when they've been in charge. So I'm trusting the Big Man on this one.
HOWEVER and it's a big however that's why it is in capital letters - this week I have felt really uplifted in prayer. What's more I have been given tangible evidence that the Big Man answers prayer.
Yesterday, we found out we had managed to raise nearly all the money for the ambulance and we will now be able to order a standard vehicle. This has been a mammoth effort and we have managed to raise 25,000 pounds in 5 months for this venture. We have recieved donations from SA Corps from all four countries in the UK. TSA is an amazing organisation, with some really kind-hearted, committed and caring people. Special mention to some individuals Garry, Nick, Clark and Kevin who really pulled out the stops. Special mention to the people in communities around Chikankata who raised over 3000 pounds by donating maize, which we were able to pool together and sell. Special mention to the Big Man for his continued provisions. God is good!
Secondly, after months of persistent nagging and 'persuasion', Zambia Sugar ( a large South African firm based in Mazabuka) brought the plans and the contractors to the Hospital and seem ready to renovate our Maternity Ward. It's a big refurbishment and if all goes well, it'll look fantastic.
Finally, we received a couple of packages that really encouraged us and made us feel that people care and are really rooting for us. We will enjoy listening to the CD's and eating the fruit pastilles and I am sure they will keep us going. We are so grateful fore-mails, cards and care package and thank the Big Man that he has given us friends who care about us.
Please pray for the ex-pat staff here from UK, Sweden and Australia. All of us have our different struggles, both personal and professional and we need people to uplift us and rely on those prayers as we try to the serve at the Hospital and serve the Big Man.
Like I said - It's some place!

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Thursday, March 22, 2007

WORLD WATER DAY - 22nd March 2007

Today is World Water Day - I am reminded of an earlier post I made on the issue of water. I have ammended slightly...........
Water is on my mind! Maybe it’s because we had one big rainstorm last week (which incidentally knocked the electricity out for four days – another long story) and nothing since. Maybe because people are beginning to panic that this will be another drought year. Maybe it’s because Colonel Sewell, an SA officer and water engineer, has arrived to start the upgrade of the water system. Maybe it’s because I haven’t had a proper shower or wash for close to five months. Most likely, it’s because last week I visited a small community of around 1000 people to examine the problems of their water.
This isolated community 10km from Nadezwe was one of the worst affected areas last year by waterborne diseases. It’s estimated that in Chikankata Hospital’s catchment area only a small percentage of the total population has access to clean, safe water. In the blazing heat, I sat silently and heard first hand that the only access to water for this particular community was dirty water from a nearby stream; the same water used to bath, drink and wash their clothes. This community had no means of sanitation whatsoever other than a few ad hoc pit latrines they had built themselves. We saw for ourselves the shallow well the men had dug, with water so dirty that in the UK we wouldn’t even allow our pets to touch it. We listened to their pleas for help; their stories about loved ones lost and saw their worry in their words that next year it might be them.
Unsurprisingly this community was one of the areas most affected by cholera last year; the Headman estimated that close to 100 people died for waterborne diseases. This equates to 10% of their population. Many of the people at the gathering complained that they suffered from constant diaherroa and vomiting – they were frightened. I heard from Gift, our highly skilled and dedicated Environmental Health Technician, who told us that children are particularly vulnerable. When they are thirsty - they drink. They don’t have the knowledge and they don’t have the luxury of being able to run home and draw a glass of water from the tap to clench their thirst. And that’s when it struck. For many people, clean water is a luxury.
The Salvation Army’s Chikankata Mission has problems too. The hospital’s infection prevention committee is finding it difficult to control and prevent infections due to the erratic supply of water in the wards and other critical areas of the hospital. The Maternity wards needs constant and safe water and we are continually concerned about the dangers to mother and babies of cross infection. The Theatre is one of areas where sterility has to be maintained and without a consistent supply of water, post operation infections have increased. This year the High School has had a dysentery outbreak for the second consecutive year, as there is not enough water to go round.
But it’s not just in Zambia. The WHO and other groups are predicting that severe water shortages affecting at least 400 million people today will affect four billion people – half the world- by 2050. This a frightening thought. So what can we possibly do? In the words of one missionary, Debbie Meroff; “We can either shrug off such realities because they don’t intrude in our own lives, or we can choose to follow the directions of Christ”Matthew writes “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward”
Whilst I accept that I might be taking this verse a bit too literally, it is certainly a clear direction on the part of the Big Man. That’s why I am so impressed with the initiative of the Watershed Project which will help the communities around the developing world, including our internal water supplies here within the Hospital. This is just one of the many projects run by the International Development Department at The Salvation Army’s UK Headquarters who have been good to Chikankata and epitmise The Salvation Army's brotherly love and concern for those in need. That's why I am so impressed with Cross International, who are a truly Christian organisation and have agreed to sink some boreholes in some of our most remote communities (including the one mentioned above). That’s why I’m writing a first hand testament that these projects will make a difference; the different between life and death, between joy and misery, between defeat and hope for so many people. That's why I'm impressed with the Big Man for his continue provision. Psalm 41 v1!

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Saturday, March 17, 2007

The Joys and Sorrows of Life


Thursday was a happy day for the Bradbury's as Heidie had her first scan. That's right - she's Keith Cheggers (Preggers - Pregnant!). Joseph the Radiographer (scan man) did really well and was able to get a good picture. Incidentally Joseph went to Uganda for a 6 month diploma course in Ultra Sound last year sponsored by the Hospital. He found out on the same day (Thursday) that he passed with distinction and was top of the class and I think we can see why.




On Friday the Bradbury family was saddened by the death of Kathleen. A quiet and gracious lady, Kathleen was my mum's best friend and it felt like she was part of her family. So we all feel sad firstly because of Kathleen's death but also because we know our mum will be really upset at this time.



So we thank the Big Man for new life and we thank him too for the life of Kathleen and especially for the influence, encouragement and support Kathleen gave to our family and for her humilty, kindness and Christian love.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

It's difficult to know where to start!
This week has first of all been a sad week for our hospital. Unfortunately one of our young nurses committed suicide. Fales had been troubled for a while due to a number of things going on in her life. After taking Fales to Lusaka to be with her family and also where she could receive specialist care, we were called on Monday afternoon to say she had died at her Uncle's home. This is a terrible time for the family and staff at the hospital have been upset. Fales' parents had both died in the recent past and she was responsible for looking after 6 younger brothers and sisters. She was only 24 herself. Heidie and I had a very special place for this nurse and four of classmates as they graduated from our Nurses Training School the first year we were here. We persuaded them to stay and she was a lovely young lady and fine nurse. Please pray for the family.


On Tuesday night, we had the mother of all storms. Apparently it was the tail end of a cyclone from Mozambique. Whatever, it was scary! Of course the power went within about two seconds of the storm brewing and stayed off for the whole day. Then a branch fell on my car and gave it a little bit of a dunt. Then I got completely beached driving to Mazabuka and had to use the 4x4 drive to get out of the mud after a few struggles. However my heart goes out to the villagers, many of who lost the roof to their houses or suffered damaged to their property.


Tommorrow sees the dedication of little Joshua, the son of our good friends and next door neighbours (we are seperated by the aptly named Mamba Gate !) Rachel and Kennedy Nakaanga. He is a special wee boy. We are looking forward to that and Rachel's parents Colonel David and Jean Burrows are in town to conduct the service. We are hosting some accompanying visitors from the UK.


Speaking of special wee boys called Joshua - here's a picture of our godson Joshua Hanover who is growing up very fast. We don't feel like we can be very good Godparents due to distance. Anyway we would ask you just to say a wee prayer to the Big Man for both Joshuas this week and for their futures.

Finally, Beverley and Emma who are two very special women in my life are running a 10k soon for Cancer Research. The Johnston family have had a tough time recently and Beverley's dad has not been well with cancer. This is a special cause for Beverley and Emma and if you are able to please sponsor them by donating at this page. Please also pray for the Johnstons.

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

So today three things have brightened my day so far.
1. I received a letter addressed to
Mr. R Bradbury
President of The Salvation Army
ZAMBIA
My two observations are
a) the letter actually reached me
b) you can just call me "Mr. President"
2. Two really encouraging e-mails - it's so good to know that somebody is praying for me (cue song!) and guys like Stuart Hunter, although a big girls blouse have been a real inspiration to us.
3. This picture was sent to me today. It's a long story but basically I was showing a couple of the 'more senior members' of the ZIM Team around when I opened the door to a changing room and found one of our 'more larger staff members' in the buff, naked, nakety noo! It was rather embarrasing. So here's a picture of me doing an impression of dear old Dorothy with two big Berthas (one wood glof clubs) on the Royal Livingstone Golf Club

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Monday, March 05, 2007

I am a worrier – at Chikankata I have a lot to worry about! Whilst things are generally going well, there are a lot of things bubbling under the surface that are worrying. A lot of things I am trying to fix before they blow. When I worry, I don’t sleep. I have not slept well this week.

There are only one or two books that have had profound impact on me. Usually they are not complex books but ones that are honest and straightforward. Maybe it’s because of the timing rather than the book, but maybe it’s just about the quality of the book. Anyway, Rob Parson’s What they didn’t teach me in Sunday School is one such book. It helped me understand the concept of grace and salvation much better, as I was struggling with them both on an intellectual and personal level.

Right now I am reading Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell (maybe I should read more books by men called Rob), a Christmas present from my sister. I am learning a lot about myself as I read it and just how I am.

I am the Manager / Hospital Administrator and this is shaping the way I live my life. I am living a certain role and I am behaving in a particular way seemingly befitting of this role. I am responsible for the day to day running of a Hospital, Nursing School, Community and Research Programme, various Projects and a training centre. I am supervising around 250 staff working for Chikankata. There are positives of course - I am living in the biggest house at the Mission and I am driving a reliable pick-up car as a result.

I am also realistic enough to see that there are a lot of people with a lot more responsibilities and struggles that me and I am fortunate to have strong people such as the Visiting Chief Medical Officer and Territorial Commander (who are my direct line managers) to supervise me and who have overall responsibility for Chikankata.

I am though hanging on! I am tired! I am worrying a lot!

Now some honest thoughts – I feel like I am living more as “Manager” and less like RB and the person I want to be. Chikankata is moving in the right direction and the results are encouraging – yet I am not coping so well at the moment. So I work harder to sort things out. Despite my promises, I am once again working evenings, late at night and weekends. I am more for other people and I am not for me, my family and the Big Man. I honestly feel like I am not a good manager, friend, husband or Christian at the moment because I am trying to do too much and please too many people.

Here’s a paragraph that jumped out the page to me;

But I am not defined by what I am not. And understanding this truth is a huge part of becoming whole. I had to stop living reaction and start letting a vision for what lies ahead pull me forward.

I have kind of picked up this image of how I am supposed to be and act and work and play. It causes me to struggle and to worry a lot. And so now I am committing to try and take myself back out of this unhealthy existence and back to who I really am.

As my wife pointedly asked me this week – How come you are in this big role, held up as a leader in a strong and influential Christian institution (this week I did an interview for the Los Angeles Times and the Aberdeen Evening Express you know) and you can’t hand over your worries to God?

So at the moment I don’t feel like I am “smoking what I selling” but I am going to try and sort that, starting from now. Most of all I am going to start having a laugh again, I am going to start playing football again and I am going to take more time off. And I am going to really try to stop worrying (although I still haven’t quite figured out how or maybe I just have!).

P.S. It’s times like this where I really miss my friends (2 or 3 are fellow bloggers) and my family to talk to about these things – which is probably why I am writing about this.

 
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