There is a guy that I met when I first arrived here named Tennes. We bought over a hundred desks and chairs that were handmade by him in his funky little woodworking yard, in an area called Kalingalinga. I really liked him after the first minute that I knew him. A good business person, very personable, great smile, can remember a measurement from two months ago….just a really good guy. Recently, I have had a job with him, where he was supplying some boards for benches that the metal shop is making for the village. At one point, we received a bunch of “bad” quality boards, so I went and met with him to see how we could resolve it. He didn’t look good at the time and told me he wasn’t feeling well. Well, things dragged out and the boards issue wasn’t getting resolved. I went to talk with him again and he wasn’t around, but sent me a text that he had to use all of my money on medicines and that he was really sorry. I experienced two responses. 1) how serious is this illness? Is it now life threatening and, 2) you have all the money plus the rejected boards and there is no one else to resolve this with. I wish I could say my only concern was for his well being, but I struggled with both aspects of the situation.
The statistics vary, but let’s just settle for 1 in 7 people between 18 and 45 years of age are infected with HIV. You are driving along, turn the corner, there’s seven people walking along the street….one is probably infected. My apartment building, 8 units, 16 adults…..2 are probably infected. My street, 15 apartment buildings….30 people infected. A walk thru the mall, say 2000 people, 285 infected. It’s staggering and it is a constant source for aid funding, education, grief, corruption, drain on medical resources and on and on.
But today, it was not one in seven…..
It was one of my friends
Tennes died
He leaves behind a wife and four children…one a little girl that he named after a former VSO volunteer. Her name is Jeanette – she is only a few months old.
I am very saddened by this, but let me end on a “somewhat” lighter note…..unless you are the subjects of this story. Jeanette recently returned to Africa, and after a stop by our village, she went up to Tanzania to do some research for some studies that she is undertaking at Stanford. I will try to copy one of her facebook posts….it’s a true story!!
Latest tales from the village – big town meeting happening next door to resolve a conflict between 2 of the church choirs. The small choir wants the big choir’s organist to play with them. The big choir says no. Small choir has suggested that they will chop the organist to pieces with a panga (aka machete) if the big choir refuses. I think the organist might be feeling a little nervous right now. Yep, time to get outta this village.
And finally, a few photos from our boy’s football tournament a couple of weeks ago. I stopped by the village for something and said, “hey, if anyone wants to go to the boys football match, jump in the Hilux” I should have made it “by invitation only”. TWENTY kids jumped in to the truck….how are you going to kick anyone out?
Who wants to go for a ride?
The starting lineup
Zambia version of "Hotwheels"
The playing conditions. Our kids just got "boots" (cleats). The used to play barefoot, or in sneakers
Oh, and one LAST (I mean really last this time) little bit. Ilene is currently in the northern part of Zambia, right along the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo) on a selection trip of new students for next year. They are at a refugee camp, interviewing kids, testing them academically (I better have spelled that right!) and doing home visits. From the short texts that I have received from her, it ain’t no vacation beach in Hawaii, but I bet it will be a very amazing experience none the less. I am quite jealous and happy for her.
Her longtime friend, Janet, is coming to visit for a couple of weeks on Friday. We are very excited for this and Ilene is downright “Giddy”
Hi Jerry,
I am so very sorry to hear about your friend. The scope of the problem is overwhelming and hard to come to grips with…until it touches you.
I love the pictures of your student/friends. The “hot wheels” is creative and inventive. You are a very good photographer.
I am happy that Ilene has a friend visiting. That must be so very special. I can imagine there are times when you all get a little homesick. I just had a girls’ weekender with my bffs from grammar and high school. Nothing quite like time with your friends.
Man your ears must have been ringing, since Rick and I were visiting Marcia and Bruce this past weekend and I asked Marcia about how you are doing. We wondered about when you would come back to Washington and what you would do when you got back. I know she misses you so much.
The beach house is idyllic and we had absolutely perfect weather. Bruce the crab slayer provided us with a feast after he, Rick and Doug played golf. Marcia, Jimmie (Doug’s wife) and I combed the beach for sea glass. We joked that there wasn’t much there after seeing the gallons and gallons your sister and her hubby have collected over the past 4 years!
Katya is living with us and has applied for job at Newcastle Golf Course in guest services. I will be shocked if she doesn’t get offered the job. She went to a group interview today and although she said it was a strange experience it sounded like she owned it. She has been working at TCBY, a frozen yogurt place in Bellevue and likes working there. She has also enrolled for 15 units at Bellevue College this fall, following straight A’s (woo hoo!!!) in the 10 units she took this summer. She will play golf with the college team in the fall. Classes start on Sept 19th.
Well I didn’t know I had so much to say. Thanks for the update. Take care and try to avoid the panga wielding choir boys. Yikes.
Janie Hansen