Zambia 2023 recap — A letter from the founder

I am on my way home from our 2nd annual distribution trip, and first and foremost, I want to thank our donors. This trip wouldn’t have been possible without your generosity and support. I would also like to thank my parents Rev. Dr. Elijah and Kerris Mwitanti for their guidance and wisdom on this trip. Lastly, I would like to thank the staff at Zambia Baptist Association for their warm hospitality— we felt at home for the entirety of our stay.

We landed in Ndola, Zambia the 4th of June. This was the middle of their winter season, but it felt like spring/early summer. The first few days were spent running errands, organizing pads (we took six large suitcases full), checking in with the leaders of the communities we’d be serving, and adjusting to the time change.

Mpongwe Mission Hospital

On June 10th, we ventured to Mpongwe, about 1.5 hours from Ndola, to shadow physicians at Mpongwe Mission Hospital. There, we learned, from Dr. Kaoma and Nurse Kapu, about the community and hospital needs. We discovered that their needs are infinite. From transportation barriers to lack of equiptment, only one working X-ray machine, a singular broken ultrasound, and few oxygen machines - despite high respiratory disease rates - power outages, high medication costs, difficulty sustaining medical supplies because patients are unable to pay for thier visit fees…and thats just to start. “Its painful to send the patient to go buy drugs that they can’t afford” a pharmacist at the hospital stated.

Still, despite these limitations, the hospital welcomes hundreds of patients a day, eager to serve with a heart of humility and kindness. When asked about how they handle these issues, Dr. Kaoma said, “We cope. But if we were to prioritize one need, it would be an ultrasound.” He informed us that an ultrasound would solve a plethora of problems. Surgical procedures would become more precise and prenatal care would be enhanced (they have an average of over 8 births a day—the day before we visited, they had 18—with only 4 delivery beds available).

All Things intends to partner with and find ways and resources to support this hospital.

Chiwala Village

On June 12th, we returned to Chawala village. The same village where we distributed pads last year and the village where my mother grew up. However, this time, we distributed at a school. We collaborated with the teachers and principal, and they chose 37 girls who menstruate to be a part of this project. After being warmly welcomed by the teachers and staff, they walked us to a classroom where the girls were waiting for us. There, with my mother translating, we introduced ourselves and explained why we were there. We discussed with the girls the importance of staying in school and encouraged them to stay strong during the hard times while menstruating. Finally, it was time to distribute the pads. We gave seven 9th graders, seven 8th graders, seven 7th graders, two 6th graders, eight 5th graders, and six 4th graders a month's supply of pads. We asked them to do some homework by keeping track of the length of their period so that we can provide supplies in a more equitable fashion in the future. The rest of the supplies were placed in a locked vault in the principles office. On the 12th of every month, the teachers will distribute another month's supply of pads to the girls. We provided them enough for each of the 37 girls has enough supplies to last them a full year.

Having the faulty be a part of organizing and distributing helps us tremendously in making this project more sustainable. They plan to report to us monthly about how the girls are doing. We plan to continue to support the 37 girls every year until their senior year of high school and, God willing, add more girls each year as All Things grows.

One of the girls stood up and spoke on for the group, thanking us for our efforts. Not just mine and the others who were on this distribution trip with me, but you—the donor, the reason this trip was possible, and everyone who has helped us with this project to fight period poverty.

Meeting with Chief Chiwala

Following the distribution, we were honored to meet with Chief Chiwala on his property. Chief Chiwala, a diplomat who resigned his role to become a Chief in 2009. He is a fierce advocate for women and girls. His mission is to end gender-based violence. His projects have received support from USAID as he aims to end child and early marriages, violence against women and girls, and promote education. One way he has succeeded is by establishing projects that ease girls back into school following pregnancy. When we discussed our shared passion for encouraging girls to stay in school, he said, “I always tell girls: that education should be your first husband.”

It is heartwarming knowing that the location we chose to distribute is led by a Chief whose values and mission align so well with ours. His efforts emphasize the importance of having men not only be a part of the conversation to stop gender-based violence, making them part of the solution and teaching them about equality! We are so thankful that Chief Chiwala uses his platform to highlight such an important cause, and again, we are honored to have met with him. 

To learn more about Chief Chiwala, click here.

Arthur Davis Children’s Hospital

The last few days were spent at Arthur Davis Children's Hospital (ADCH) to assess more needs. We were welcomed by Dr. Bwendo Nduna, MD, MMED, the Senior Medical Superintendent, who has become one of my personal inspirations. She gave us a rundown of the hospital and shared her concerns about the decline of students entering the medical field since the COVID-19 pandemic. "It's like we are an endangered species," she said regarding the fall in medical student numbers. Still, despite the difficulties since the pandemic started in 2020, they were recently named The Best Performing Teaching Hospital. It was apparent to the All Things team why. The doctors and nurses we had the privilege of learning from were brilliant, adaptive, collaborative, excellent communicators, and teachers. Their collaboration and teamwork during rounds were unlike anything I've ever witnessed. Their respect for each other and the care they provided to their patients and their families was awe-inspiring. The resources are more abundant at ADCH, but they are severely limited even compared to the most basic Western hospital. We intend to stay in contact with ADCH and spend more time with them in the future. 

We learned so much on this trip and are eager to use what we learned to be of better service to Ndola, Zambia, and its surrounding areas. We are humbled and extremely grateful for the opportunities and to all those who blessed us with their time and wisdom. We are returning home full of purpose, light, and inspiration thanks to all those we met on our trip, especially the 37 girls. I ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they pursue their education. Pray for their health, their safety, and their futures. Also, pray for the All Things team as we enter year 3 with a refreshed perspective and purpose.

With a grateful heart,

Heather Mwitanti, founder & executive director