A sad day in Chipata
on A Zambian Experience (Zambia), 12/Jul/2010 15:48, 34 days ago
When a recognizable voice calls you up at an expected hour to say that we‘have a funeral’, no one can ever prepare you for such shocking news, even if funerals sadly become a way of life here in Chipata. However when the news is concerning the sudden death of someone you know and someone you have been working closely with, it becomes even more difficult to take it all in. I’m referring to the news I received yesterday from my counterpart at Dzithandizeni Nutrition Group who was informing me of the death of my colleague and friend Mrs Banda who sadly passed away on Sunday from a battle with malaria. She leaves children, a devoted husband and lots of friends, relatives and colleagues who will miss her sadly.I first met Mrs Banda when she collected me from my in country induction in Lusaka back in October last year when I was a very new volunteer (5 days in Zambia to be precise). I was very nervous about the whole prospect of volunteering but as soon as I met Mrs Banda the nerves quickly disappeared. I remember her warm smile and big hug as she greeted me and chatted endlessly about how excited the Nutrition Group staff members were at finally receiving a volunteer (they had waited 3 years). When I arrived in Chipata she was my tour guide, my aunt, my language teacher, my counterpart and my advisor (I was supposed to be advising her), but in the end I learnt more from her about life and work in Zambia, than I’m sure she ever did from me. She shared stories of Zambian culture and food. She invited me and fellow VSO volunteers to ‘kitchen parties’, she taught me things like how to make cassava fritters and which tailor and hairdresser to use in town – all the important things!Following a VSO funded workshop 2 weeks ago on Saturday, she was complaining of a headache and was admitted to hospital. Tests confirmed it was malaria and despite numerous attempts to save her life she sadly passed away yesterday. She will be sadly missed by everyone that knew her and I will dedicate this blog entry and in fact the rest of my work at the Nutrition Group to her, Mrs Barabara K Banda…