first met Thomas Samungole who is now the editor of the periodical, Progress; second, the
Honourable (Miss) M. Chilila, still active in her important government duties; and, third, four
ex-Zambezi students including Dan Malasha and Kayombo Yonga -- all now handsome young
men and no longer mischievous school boys. Later in the day I met Miss Savenda, now a
receptionist/typist in the National Publicity Bureau. After several more days of exciting and, of
course, sentimental meetings with literally dozens of people, I bid farewell and headed north
with Frank Hall.
"GO WEST, YOUNG MAN, GO WEST!"
It took us three full days to reach Solwezi. The journey itself was pleasant, but the slow pace
was agonizing. The first two nights were spent in Ndola where I was both to meet James Kanga
and to settle some old business. Well, in two hours I settled the old business and met Arnot
Sondoyi, now bank clerk, but did not meet James until thirty minutes before departure. (We
somehow got wires crossed!)
Frank and I hit the NWP border late the third night out. Although I had awaited the sentimental
moment eagerly, it arrived ignobly. A severe case if dysentery started just at that point. It took
another old ex-Balovalite, Dr. Bwanausi, to rescue me. A lovely evening at their home also
helped to restore me. Seeing old friends is always a cure, at least partial, for anything. Their
eldest twin daughters are now lovely young ladies. A very handsome family indeed. Ethel is very
busy these days. Besides being a busy housewife, she is also working in the Minister's office.
Harry is now the P.M.O. of the North West Province and his smile and hearty laugh are the
same as always.
On the 17th, I headed westwards again -- on to Zambezi (Balovale). The 320 miles of bush and
bad road, separating Solwezi from its remotest district, haven't changed one iota. My sore rear
end, complicated by the dysentery, bore witness! However, the journey was offset by meeting
Henry Alfonso, whom I have assisted through secondary school. Again, quite a change. He sits
his G.C.E. this year and so now a handsome young man. He is thinking of joining the police. A
most wise decision as the Zambian police certainly can use any help. (Dave and Gloria will
doubtless agree as they were robbed before I got back -- their third in 2 ½ years!)
UP AND DOWN THE ZAMBEZI, AT ZAMBEZI
The next six days in Zambezi were pure pleasure for me, both in seeing old friends and in
reacquainting myself to the river. Every day I hiked and swam. Then old Muloji and Chinyama,
who still maintain the old secondary school dugout, took us up and down the river on several
occasions. Also, Chinyama brought fresh fish several times. Needless-to-say I met too many
people to mention each, but of special significance were reunions with Father Daniel, Chief
Ishima, and Dr. and Mrs. Worsfold. Fr. Daniel is now living in the township and, except for a few
gray hairs, has not changed at all, not even his N.Y. accent! (Later, on the bus ride east, I met in
Kabompo, Fr. Rock, steadily gaining weight, and Fr. Luke, totally unchanged. They very kindly
gave me some food at a two minute notice.) I was pleased to once again meet Chief Ishima. At
Chit, I met Jim and Hilda Worsfold. We had a lovely chat over a tea that lasted for several hours.
The good doctor's new hospital will soon be complete and he appears as active as ever to me.
Still, he has taken the death of Dr. Deubler hard and doesn't feel he is quite up to his old power.
Hopefully some young M.D. will soon feel the urge to assist him and relieve him of some of the
intense work he has had for almost 30 years.
