# 59 February 17, 2026, Nchelenge

Today we went by bus to Nchelenge to visit the St Paul’s Hospital Eye Clinic which is run by the Little Servant Sister of Mary Immaculate.  These ladies and the sisters of the Child Jesus are remarkable people. They can accomplish so much in difficult circumstances, and all the while remaining positive and cheerful.

St Paul’s is the eye clinic where the students from The Kawambwa school go for eye care. We were able to meet the eye clinic team and gather information that will help us search for some solutions to the difficulties encountered where eye care is concerned.

We met Sr Bridget the hospital administrator and had a short tour of the hospital and Betty Jane was able to visit the obstetrical unit. It is a 250-bed hospital 400 student nurses.  We met Dr Christina from Switzerland and three midwives from Switzerland who are here under an agreement to provide volunteer services.

We were invited for tea at the convent and had a refreshing cup of Kawambwa tea and delicious cake. On the way home we picked up two students who needed a ride to school.

 It was about an hour drive through the lush green countryside. Every house has a garden lawn and the crops are thriving with all the rain. They use raised beds and cultivate them well. We stopped roadside and bought some Casava roots as well as boiled groundnuts (peanuts).  The roads near town were crowded with pedestrians and goats. 

The main type of roadside dwellings we saw today

Beautiful lawn gardens

Every so many kilometres we reach a roadblock.
It is for trucks carrying a load and to check
licence and insurance.

Charming, strong ladies carrying packages  on their head. 

Visit with hospital administrator Sr Bridget.

Meeting with eye clinic staff

Betty Jane and Charlotte by a termite hill.

Zambian pineapples are the very best.

Groundnuts for a snack

John's casava roots

Tea with Sr Bridget

New born, 

Naomi, Dr Christina from Switzerland and Betty Jane.

Student nurses.