On Strike!

At the beginning of this school term – beginning of May – the government teachers here in Zambia went on strike.  One of the reasons was that those who teach in the rural are suppose to get a hardship allowance.  Well they haven't been getting that.  The strike is continuing.  Now other government workers have joined.  This is including nurses and doctors. 

A little boy (not one of our children) was bitten by a snake.  Kamau took him to Liteta hospital and they said that they were on strike so wouldn't see him.  Kamau had to take him to the private doctor at Fringilla.

We also learned that the hospital at Liteta is only receiving ¼ of their budget.  The director for this area, Dr. Teesha, does not know what they are going to do, or what services they are going to be able to provide.

The government does not have enough money to do all these things they need to.  It doesn't help that by law if you go out on strike, you still get paid your full salary.

Benedict is thinking that the little clinic we are building for our workers and children may be more important than we at first thought.