This blog was written by Tinkani Ngoma in Kitwe, Zambia, between 19th and 25th July. She is a Peer Health Educator supported by Cecily’s Fund. Due to the intermittent internet connection in Zambia and other practical difficulties, I will be posting her blog entries each day this week. I have also added brief explanations or translations in italics where necessary. You can read more about the Peer Health Education programme which Cecily’s Fund supports on our website at www.cecilysfund.org/health_education.html

Sabita


Introduction
My name is Tinkani Ngoma. I am a seventeen years old. My father died three years ago in March when I was in grade ten. Ever since then, my life has been very difficult because my mother struggled very much just to pay for my school fees, provide me with the school necessities. (Cecily’s Fund helps children in Tinkani’s situation by providing them with shoes, uniforms, books, pens and help with school fees.)

My mother manages to look after the family by renting out one of the rooms of the house. On Sundays she goes to a certain lady whom she helps to do house chores and after she is paid she uses the money to pay for my young brother’s and sister’s school fees and some she uses to buy food.

Recently she decided to rent out the whole house. I decided to stay with my aunt so that I could keep my job, if I shifted with my mother it would have been very difficult for me to reach the place where I teach, it would have been a very long distance. My aunt also looks after my other cousin.

I am going to tell you how I will live my life and what I will be doing for the whole of this week from 19 to 25th July 2009.

Monday 19th July 2009
This morning I left home at half past ten for my teaching session at Mindolo Basic School. My partner and I (peer health educators run workshops in pairs) found our contact teacher who directed us to the class. We taught the pupils about tuberculosis (tuberculosis is very prevalent in Zambia, partly because of HIV which destroys people’s immune systems). The students posed many questions as they were eager to find out more. The session ended by 12:35 pm. By the time I reached home, it was half past one. I had my lunch and rested a bit. At 3pm, I decided to go and visit my friend. On my way, I met an old school friend. We talked and talked until we found our separate ways. Unfortunately, my friend was not at home, so I decided to go back home. Before going to bed, I read about ‘Life Skills’ in preparation for Tuesday’s class session.

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