So Friday after school (11:30am) I went with Precious to her home again. When I got there her husband ( Please forgive me, I cannot remember his name) was making a hoe ( agricultural tool). I then asked him where Florence was, and he simply said, oh she is collecting firewood. All I could think of, why is a blind lady going to fetch wood on her own? Anyway, asked him a few questions and actually indicating out that he is from Angola, never went to school, and is illegally in Zambia. Hence this is his excuse for not working.
Finally Florence arrived with wood on her head, I said hello to her, and she kept saying, "I didn't know you were coming" I told her that I wanted her to come to the clinic to talk to the caretaker of the blind child. She seemed excited to do it, but first she wanted to change, because she kept saying that she was dirty.
We finally set off, and I asked her how she got blind, and she said to me her family did it. Which I am not entirely sure what that means, but that was her answer. We got to the clinic and she began discussing her life with the other lady. I am not sure what they were saying, as they were speaking in their local tongue, but they did chat for a long time.
It was time to go home, and whilst we were walking back she told that she had no food for the weekend and she hadn't eaten today. I didn't know how to react, but I did offer to give her food. But she simply declined. It was hard for me to see her walk into the distance, and thinking that this weekend her family will go without food.
I asked another volunteer at VOH, if I could go to her on Saturday afternoon to go give them some food, and he said I wasn't allowed to because eventually they would become dependent on it. But It makes no sense to me, as I am here to help people, and I have found someone who I would do anything for, yet I am not allowed. Which questions my purpose, because are we really helping if I cannot feed a family for the weekend?
But I know that we cant come to Mongu, and give free handouts and so the people become dependent on us . But this family is so poor, the mother is blind and they are practically homeless. Sorry, but I think that this situation needs help, and we cant not help.
Anyway, going back to see Florence next week with Margaret. Which of course I am very excited about.
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