THERE IS POWER...... (Not here)

I really hope Scotland and Denmark qualify for the World Cup in South Africa in 2010 because right now it’s getting some of the blame from the Zambia government for the ongoing electricity problems. Currently we have about one or two hours of electricity per day. As you can imagine trying to run a hospital without electricity (and as a result, water) is pretty interesting. Fortunately we do have a generator. Unfortunately, it’s very old and very expensive. However we are doing the best we can, having been reminded that there are people in the world worse off than us. We have become pretty good at cooking on charcoals too. My specialty is bacon and eggs, Heidie can somehow manage to cook the sauce and the pasta in the same pan at the same time.

On the plus side, I am reading more than ever before and this week I have read a biography on Mugabe. I have very mixed feelings about that whole situation. This weekend Zimbabwe becomes the largest SA territory in the world as a result of the move to split Kenya from one to two territories. Last week we said farewell to our TC here who will take up the reigns there. I sat through two farewell meetings in Mazabuka and Lusaka, which lasted for a combined time of ten and a half hours!

Luke is now eating solid foods and loves prunes and bannanas. It is making life very interesting!

I have spent the weekend in Livingstone. I had a meeting at the Provincial Health Office on Friday and decided to stay until Sunday, mainly so we can get a flaming shower with some decent water. Once again we had a great time. The Victoria Falls never cease to amaze me. The great thing about the Falls it is quite unspoilt. It would be possible to drive past the entrance if you didn’t know where you were going, as it is really under commercialized. People from the West would have an absolute fit about the health and safety issues. But it’s rawness appeals to me and I am always reminded that Zambian country is rich in the beauty of it’s people, landscape and wildlife. Luke enjoyed morning coffee at the 5 star Royal Livingstone - I am bit worried he is getting a taste for the high living, which will of course please his Uncle Kevin!

Finally Happy Mother’s Day to my mum and my wife (I am actually typing it is Mother’s Day – although I am typing by candlelight but probably won’t be able to post for sometime given the issues mentioned above). Heidie is just doing brilliant. I am really proud of her. It is not easy to bring up a child with a number of obstacles including no water and frequent interruptions of electricity (this morning she got up at 4.30am just to prepare food and wash bottles etc), but she is just the best.