UPDATE ON TEAM Z.
21.9.09. We are absolutely devastated this morning to hear the sad news of the death of a much loved Team Z member - Peter Fitzmaurice. The world has lost a great man and his loss will be felt by many: locally and across the world. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, especially his wife Sue, at this sad time. Rest in peace Peter.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/6211612/Two-killed-in-light-aircraft-crash.html
Back to Zambia, June 09.....
Firstly for an overview of exactly what all this is about, have a look at the website below. Andrew is working with Jean Westmacott, who is able to do what she can this year thanks to winning the *World of Difference* Award from Vodafone.
http://www.vodafone.com/world_of_difference/uk_winners/jean.html
June 2009
Well, it's nearly here! Another big thank you to all of you who have sponsored Andrew and made this trip happen. Also thank you to Alton Bolt and Tool for the donation of a small Jigsaw power tool for Andrew to take with him. Packing is going to happen tonight and we hope it all goes in - clothes and tools alike.
Saturday 6th - departure day!
Well, is he packed? Nope. He has sorted his tools and the kids have sorted some of their toys for the children Daddy will meet, but that is it. We are leaving at 4 for the airport, and the kids are staying at home with the lovely Auntie 'Biff'.
Joe and Mollie with their toys for the African children Peter Kennett (Sue) and Andrew with the two enormous boxes!
Better late than never Andrew was finally packed and (after talking him out of a quick mow of the lawn!) we left to pick up Jean and husband Kennett and Peter and wife Susan. Amazingly all the bags were accepted for the flight despite being over weight and Peter even recognised a member of staff of Ethiopia Airlines, as he has flown so many times! (The last time he flew there was a prisoner being escorted back home who made alot of fuss as you can imagine - Peter was able to check that no prisoners were aboard the flight today!).
I arrived home at about 9 to find Joe with a raging temperature - YET another bout of tonsillitus so we are off to the out of hours doctors this morning! I have checked the flight on the internet and flight ET711 to Addis Ababa was airbourne at 21.39 (39 minutes late).
Sunday 7th 7pm
Great excitement in the Walters' house as we had a phone call from Andrew. He was buzzing with excitement and nearly at the destination for the night - St Josephs Guesthouse, which is renowned for having no water!! The flights had gone well and they had endured 4 hours of car journey, although Andrew seemed too excited with what was outside the windows of the van to worry about being cramped in the back! Hearing his Dad's voice cheered Joe up especially as he has spent the day in bed and was sad to not be able to attend the Worthing National Autistic Seafront Walk.
Tuesday 9th June
Time is running away with me a bit so I might hand over to Jean's fabulous web blog that she is updating from Zambia..
http://cpaequipment.blogspot.com/2009/06/off-to-great-start-in-zambia.html
We had a small kitchen fire this morning - what a mess! No one was hurt - just several things from the kitchen were damaged and need replacing ...and a lot of clearing up is needed! Also the house smells dreadful. I still have Joe off school with Tonsillitus. Will update here when I have more time.
Thursday 11th June
Andrew and I seem to have a problem *connecting*. He isn't getting any text messages on his Zambian Sim card and I haven't received any from him. He has rung twice to our landline but we get cut off; so I haven't got any news other than the updates on Jean's website, and phone calls/emails from Peter's wife Sue and Jean's husband Kennett. I have at least heard his voice and I know that he is alive, well and happy. Hopefully we can get something sorted soon!
Sunday 14th June
Andrew and I have contact now - by using his normal Sim card! It is lovely to receive text messages from him. He sounds so happy and fulfilled, and has even been teaching the locals some basic carpentry skills. One of his messages read: "people here are singing and laughing as they work - the harmony would be music to your ears. Less can be more. Does money = happy, poor = sad? I am learning so much from them as I teach".
Today I think is a bit of a day off - he is going on a small plane flight with Peter - he was very excited about that when we spoke. They also had had a meal out at a hotel after travelling to meet some friends, and a local church service.
During the week Andrew developed a nasty chest infection. He says the air there is quite thick with dust. He is also up much later than I expected most evenings so I hope he is getting enough rest. So much to do, so little time.
Saturday 20th June
He is on his way home! I have just had a text from him to say that he is getting on the first flight from Ndola. I also have had an email from Peter's wife Sue to say that she had heard from Peter, who had just waved Andrew off from the airport! It sounds like he is looking forward to coming home; we are certainly excited about having him back.
They celebrated his last night by having roast beef dinner!!...and it was a relief to hear him sound not quite so poorly! Either the anitbiotics have worked, or the garlic and aloe vera concoction has!
Sunday 21st June
He is home! Still coughing, but happy to be home safe and well. I have downloaded some of his photos below - put your mouse over the pics and it will stop and give you a caption!
