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By The Rev. Clelia Pinza-Garrity, LCSW
In April 2018, I flew thousands of miles to visit Victor and Racheal Chimfwembe, an incredible couple who had developed a pastoral presence in a Zambian bush community inhabited by the Baluba. The Baluba community is isolated, without roads, electricity, or sanitation, and is situated quite near the dangerous Congo border. The purpose of my visit was to support Victor and Rachael in identifying ways in which they could provide basic healthcare for their community members who were continually expressing desperation when they spoke of the multiple unnecessary deaths experienced during childbirth, malaria outbreaks, accidents, and other treatable illnesses. Their pastors wanted to help them overcome these obstacles.
My time in Zambia was spent visiting the Baluba and investigating, along with Victor and Rachael, the various resources available in the nearest city, Ndola. [Read about Deacon Clelia's trip]
I brought my assembled information back to our diocesan Commission on World Mission Engagement. Together, we decided to develop a three-year commitment to the Baluba with the express purpose of supporting them in identifying ways in which they could network with the Zambian Health Department and other resources in the nearby city of Ndola, with the goal of establishing a once-a-month medical clinic in the Baluba community. The energetic and committed couple cobbled together several resources, including a Zambian Department of Health nurse and the commission’s small monthly grant of $700, which covered the cost of basic medications, and were soon able to offer a monthly clinic.
Despite the best of intentions, it became quite evident that the support offered by the Zambian Health Department and several other local resources were too sporadic to be of any real assistance. And our monthly stipend had a three-year limit. Racheal saved the day. She told us that she had always wanted to be a nurse but did not have the funds for a nursing program. Research indicated that the cost of a nursing school, which offered the equivalent of an RN degree and had a midwifery program, was $ 1500 USD a year. The commission did not hesitate. We committed to sending Racheal to nursing school with the hope that she would earn degrees in both nursing and midwifery and that she would then be a much-needed medical resource for the Baluba.
Several months ago, Racheal graduated at the top of her class. The commission is rejoicing. Our diocese has blessed the Baluba community with a critical healthcare resource. We have supported the Baluba in a way that allows them to grow within themselves. We did not take over and provide what we deemed helpful, taking agency away from a community that knows exactly what it needs. With a member of their community now fully licensed to provide healthcare and trained in all aspects of childbirth, the Baluba are empowered to provide life-saving healthcare to the men, women, and children who live in this remote community.
Congratulations Racheal. Congratulations Victor!
Congratulations to all of the wonderful people of the Baluba community!