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Letter from Zambia

MSC archived stories - January 9, 2022

It's Simon, one of 2 children in Lusaka I sponsor, who are living in very similar condition in Kanyama compound. One thing so vivid is that how talkative and lovely they both are.

In fact, they get very excited to write back with whatever comes to their mind as there was no time like the pandemic.. life in Lusaka is once again bustling.

 

Rainy season is back, Simon once wasn't able to go to school is now advancing into grade 5, mom, Enelesi is making chikanda, popular street snack to earn just enough money to live on, and above all he enjoys life in the midst of chaos.


And, what brought me home when reading his letter (saved to media) was the Soweto market in Lusaka, no difference to the local market in the town I grew up in Sri Lanka – vibrant community of traders with endless shouting out all day long to sell their fresh produce, vegetables and fish alike as in Soweto [youtu.be/zPfYpyiHX7M]. I dearly missed the experience of that life for so long.

 

The market contributes around K20,000 (kwacha is the currency of Zambia) or $4 per day to the Zambia economy, which is like sponsoring 3 Zambian children.

 

The sponsorship is one thing, the fulfillment that these children bring to me is another, priceless!

Comments

  1. chelaka28 March 2025 at 19:33

    Simon does tell you quite a bit in his letter. Sounds like he is doing well and that life is slowly returning to normal there, which is encouraging to hear! Glad to hear that his Mom is able to make a living selling "street snacks" of chikanda. Chikanda sounds very interesting!

    January 9, 2022

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  2. chelaka28 March 2025 at 19:33

    Chikanda...brown-speckled, earthy loaf—sometimes referred to as “African polony” for its bologna-like texture—bears the unique flavor of each wild tuber species used in its creation. Made of wild orchid tubers, ground peanuts, and chiles, chikanda is a popular street snack." (source atlasobscura)

    January 10, 2022

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  3. chelaka28 March 2025 at 19:34

    As long as I'm a sponsor, I'll have at least one child from Zambia. They are so needy, and mostly value education so much, as does Cecilia, who now features in my profile photo.

    January 10, 2022

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  4. chelaka28 March 2025 at 19:34

    Chelaka, I loved reading this update of Simon. I am happy you helpt him going to school, as I recall that he was 7 and not yet in school..I will go to your media and read his letter. I would certainly like to taste a Chikanda made by his mother.. I am not afraid of new tastes and new foods. I also saw an updated photo of Simon, I am sending him a big virtual hug!

    January 10, 2022

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  5. chelaka28 March 2025 at 19:34

    Thank you for the interest in Chikanda. I think it has full of nutrients. As Simon said, once prepared Chikanda powder and groundnuts powder mix them thoroughly in a pot of hot water, adding pinch of salt, soda and chiles [youtu.be/tq8xE23x4gI] – looks very tasty!

    January 10, 2022

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  6. chelaka28 March 2025 at 19:34

    Elemay, you’re right. Children tend to do well in life if they are taught in English as the main medium of education, like in Zambia, India, Philippines.

    January 10, 2022

    ReplyDelete

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