Welcome to Zambia!

Mission Lusaka: Work Permits and Registration Thank you for all your prayers – we have been in Zambia for a whole week! The first leg of our journey to Lusaka was very straightforward. We were granted our visitor visas without too much trouble and it was wonderful to be greeted by Becs, a kiwi nurse working at Kalene.

Our accommodation in Lusaka was very comfortable. The CMML (Christian Mission in Many Lands) guesthouse accommodates missionaries flying in and out of Lusaka. Although we weren’t excited about the prospect of staying in the capital for a whole week, the comfort of the guesthouse really helped us to relax after a very busy few weeks preparing to leave the UK.

We had two missions whilst in Lusaka: to register with our respective nursing and medical councils and to obtain work permits from the immigration office. This process certainly helped to hone character and develop patience in us! In total, we visited immigration four times, spending between 1 and 3 hours there at a time. We would sign in each day, after much pushing and shoving in the ‘queue,’ then wait at various desks to find out which stage our application was at. Christopher’s work permit was ready on Day 3 but they had simply added me as ‘wife’ on his permit, even though we had submitted two separate applications. Although this kept me legal to remain in Zambia, I would be unable to work. We were scheduled to fly out on Wednesday and we only found this out on Tuesday! Anyway, we arrived on Wednesday morning, waited one hour and my permit was ready – a huge answer to prayer!

Registering with the nursing council was relatively straightforward. I had a brief interview, paid my money and was granted temporary registration. I will have to return to Lusaka in June to sit an exam for this to become permanent. Christopher had a little more trouble with his registration. He travelled between the medical council and the University Teaching Hospital several times before his exam and interview. He was examined in paediatrics, O&G, medicine and surgery, with his best mark in paeds and worst in surgery?!?! He then was interviewed by a panel consisting of an orthopod, a gynaecologist and a physician. They must have been happy with him as they granted his registration.

First Impressions
I was particularly excited by the African sun! When we stepped off the plane, the airport looked all of a blur in the midday heat but by the time we reached customs, our shirts were wet with sweat. Although I enjoy tropical temperature, I usually experience this while on holiday but I think having to work in the heat with all the smells of a rural hospital may prove quite a challenge.
Another stark impression is poverty. This is apparent wherever you look – roads, cars, buildings, clothing, people.

We were also surprised by how green Lusaka was for an African city. Running alongside the roads are miles of long grass being hacked back by men with blades. We have arrived at the beginning of the wet season and so I have invested in a pair of pink wellies and a golfing umbrella! One of the missionary staff had requested some make-up from town but this was one mission too far and despite asking in several stores (no doubt to the amusement of Zambian service personnel) we failed to obtain mzungu (white people) foundation!

Other than visiting the nursing and medical councils and immigration, the rest of our time in Lusaka was spent between the two malls, Manda Hill and Arcades. These modern shopping centres are very luxurious compared to the rest of Lusaka and we enjoyed western food, cinema and stocked up on supplies that would be unattainable out in the bush. It was great to have Becs on hand to advise on essential items.

Destination: Kalene Mission Hospital, North Western Province
Having collected our work permits, we headed to the airport to fly up to Kalene. We were met by Captain John Loudon and escorted to our aircraft. The plane was a Cessna and looked like it was constructed from Lego!! It was tiny. I sat next to Captain John to try and avoid motion sickness. It was most entertaining wearing the headsets and saying things like ‘Roger’ after each sentence and ‘Broadsword calling Danny Boy’ – entertaining for possibly five minutes! It wasn’t as bumpy as I expected but nonetheless, I clutched my sic sac for the three hour duration. We flew over plains and bush and the odd village and John pointed out various landmarks until we could see the Kalene airstrip. We were finally at our destination. We were greeted by several of the mission staff who helped us carry our bags to our apartment. Becs helpfully put my wellies in the fridge! The apartment is part of the hangar and looks out over a beautiful garden. We have electricity, hot water and internet access so it is very comfortable. We will only be here temporarily before Bamboo Cottage is available for us.

All for now.

Love from Emma and Christopher x