Friday, 1 May 2020
HAPPY LABOUR DAY
The confinement that Covid-19 has brought to our great nation, Zambia can not silence the hard work millions of Zambians have demonstrated. Happy Labour Day to you all hard workers. The sky is no longer the limit.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Seeing youths, men and women with low and high status sit on the same desk to learn Entrepreneurship indicates a united Zambia towards economic development. Countries that have heavily invested in Entrepreneurship development have never regretted as they have heavily been paid back. Having graduated 164 in Chongwe, Chalimbana University went further to train Solwezi residents in North Western province in Entrepreneurship without any charge. 137 have been graduated with certificates in Entrepreneurship. Speaking on graduation, the students' representative assured the guest of honour (PS) and Chalimbana University management that they will go flat out and maximize the existing business opportunities not only for self sustenance but also to contribute positively to district and national economic development. I strongly believe that Entrepreneurship is the possible alternative to developing countries faced with climate change. Together we can build Zambia.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
CHAU continues touching lives through a free Entrepreneurship training course. Fifty five graduated with certificates after four weeks of intensive training. The oldest institution in Zambia continues ploughing back to the community by transforming communities where it can afford to reach.
LAKE BANGWEULU
It is one of the biggest lakes in Zambia but the only lake not being shared with other countries. It is located in Samfya district of Luapula province. The lake was named after the word 'chaba nge ulu' meaning it's like the sky. This is because when you are on the lake you cannot see the shore but the sky connected to the waters. Then the Bisas said chaba nge ulu, 'Bangweulu.' It's like the sky. Chaba nge ulu, 'the ideal place for Aquaculture.'
LUAPULA PROVINCE
INVENTING THE INVENTIONS: SIABONGA TO SIAVONGA, KARIVA TO KARIBA DAM
For the first time in thousands of years, since its creation, the free flow of the mighty Zambezi River ceased!
The Kariba Dam is a double curvature concrete arch dam in the Kariba Gorge of the Zambezi river basin between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It stands 128 metres tall and 579 metres long. The dam forms Lake Kariba, which extends for 280 kilometres and holds about 185 cubic kilometres of water.
The Zambezi River rises in north western Zambia and its catchment area covers 1 352 000 square kilometres and eight countries, namely Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It enters the Indian Ocean in Mozambique at Quelimane. Along this river was a valley where the Shonas could transact with the Tonga's and the Shonas could always say Siabonga, meaning 'thank you.' When the whites struggled to pronounce it, they renamed it 'SIAVONGA.' On the other hand, the name Kariba came from Kariva – meaning trap. It refers to a rock which thrust out of the swirling water at the entrance to the gorge close to the dam wall site, now buried more than a hundred feet below the water surface. In many legends, this rock was regarded as the home of the great River god Nyaminyami, who caused anyone who ventured near to be sucked down for ever into the depths of the river. In the process of inventing, Kariva was renamed 'Kariba.'
Along this great river, the Electricity Supply Commission allocated funds for construction of the dam in 1941 and the board of experts resolved to quick start the invention in 1951. It was a highly debated and politicised move. In August 1955, the contract for the construction of the wall and power station was eventually awarded to Italian consortium on July 16, 1956 after it was designed by the French engineer and inventor Andre Coyne, who personally designed over 55 dams in his lifetime.
In this invention, over one million cubic metres of rock was excavated and by December 1956, the north bank coffer dam and diversion tunnel were both completed. The dam measures 36.6 metre high wall with a thickness of over 24 metres to sustain the pressure of nearly ten million litres of water passing through the spillway each second.
Today, the dam remains a source of livelihood for residents of Chirundu, Siavonga, Gwembe and Sinazongwe districts. Siavonga formerly Siabonga, remains one of Zambia's tourist destinations. The Kariva god, now Kariba dam, now lights homes for over 18 millions of Zambians. Over 70% of Zambia's industries depend on power from the dam for their operation. Lodges and surrounding businesses have created thousands of employment to the locals. Many inventions coming country wide, it's because of power from the dam powering the nation. Over half a century ago, great minds invented and we are bettering our lives today.
INVENTING THE INVENTIONS, SIABONGA.
A SYMPATHISEE WHO DOES NOT NEED SYMPATHY
22 years of living with sugar disease may be quite shocking. A life of experiencing both the highest pick and lowest sugar levels is quite threatening. This has seen my uncle in and out of different hospitals and clinics and eventually lost both legs one after another. In all these, he has kept his faith strong and burning and live a life of inspiring others. He has practically couched many in living with sugar disease though several have quickly bid farewell as they do not comply. Today, him and I managed to visit his local church on a wheel chair after five years of absence and had inspirational interaction with many old members who new him and recognised him as X - Master Guide (MG) and elder. Some people seemed to be shedding tears as they simpathasised with him in his current condition. However, he quickly turned the dropping tears into tears of joy as he smiled, cracked some jokes as usual and assured them that he remains as strong as ever and his condition does not shake him in any way. Not even Corona Virus, he joked. After the church service, many stopped to listen to
his siabbobotalic inspirational talks and took photos with him. Without both legs but still strong and inspiring others.PREGNANT FOR 23 YEARS, YET HOPEFUL
The stress and anxiety of 30 days lockdown and 14 days of quarantine experienced by many because of Corona virus are too far to be compared to carrying pregnancy for 9 months. However, this woman has been pregnant for 23 years now, yet still hopeful to deliver one day.
Today, I decided to visit the woman whom we discovered her state in 2010 during the community service program, 56km off Chongwe boma, Zambia. She became pregnant in 1997. Just like others, she expected to deliver a bouncing baby within a period of 9 months as the clinicians indicated on anti natal card. Unfortunately, she is now in her 23rd year of waiting. The husband ran away in the third year when all the leaves and roots of trees failed to work. Several hospital visitations have never been fruitful. Relatives and friends who were close and sympathetic in the early years are weary and have distanced from her. She remains bedridden all these years in a dilapidated shapeless house shown in the pictures.
When no one seems to care, Jesus cares. So I decided to give her a surprise visit today. It was a joyous moment and she affirmed her faith in Jesus that ONE day will be her ONE day. Because Jesus cares, we can try to care.
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