A Zambian Hero

Forty years ago, a quick thinking Zambian man saved the life of a one year old child from a spitting cobra, poised to strike. That man was Christopher Ngoma and the little boy was Kevin, our son. We have never forgotten this act of courage and have kept in touch with Christopher and his family over the years assisting them whenever possible.

In 2001 we met Christopher and his wife, Elfrieda, in person again and realized that their strong faith and Christian values have kept the family strong in spite of the difficulties. Life in Zambia is hard and the Ngomas have struggled to feed their extended family at least one meal a day. Subsistence farming is difficult. Without shelter to store tools and crops after a harvest, a year’s food supply is reduced. When the rains fail, families starve.

Christopher is now almost 70 years old, twice the life expectancy of the average Zambian but still young by Canadian statistics. He is almost blind in one eye which he thought was the result of an accident when he was repairing the roof of his house. We arranged to have an appointment and tests for him at the eye clinic and we learned he needed cataract surgery instead. The highly subsidized medical system in Zambia covered most of the cost. Surgery to remove the clouded lens took place while the team was in Kitwe and a new lens will be inserted in August. The complete process cost fifteen dollars!

The team was powerfully moved by Christopher’s story. We had a delicious meal with the Ngomas and shared a special time with his family on July 10. The family also provided us with ‘food for the journey’ back to Canada – individual bags of popped corn and a five KG bag of fresh ground nuts ready for roasting. We shall long remember their friendship and hospitality – our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Posted by: Eleanor and Ray