Exciting visit from Boss Mirriam!

An exciting treat during our stay in Kasompe was an unannounced visit by the CEO, Mirriam, escorted by mother Ethel and good friend Evans. They had traveled by bus by Luanshya to Chingola to survey our team and encourage them in their work. When word spread that the Boss had arrived, our team immediately sprang into action putting our best foot (and camera!) forward. Mirriam, now 3 years old, generously spread her attention equally by consenting to be held in turn by each eager admirer. Occasionally she even rewarded the group with a quick smile of approval. We found out from Mama Ethel that Mirriam does her best work when she has 2 naps a day and has access to her favorite cuisines of rice and macaroni and cheese. The consensus of our team was that Boss Mirriam looked quite healthy and thriving. Mother Ethel , on the other hand, looked frail and very thin. Both continue to take medicine twice a day for HIV.

The Boss’s home support system is fragile to say the least. We had originally understood Mirriam’s father had died but it turns out he is alive but unable to provide for the family. That makes Mirriam the “Vulnerable” part of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC’s) at this point. She’s not an orphan yet. But in addition to herself, both Mom and Dad and a 4-year-old sibling are HIV positive. Her father once had a good job working in the copper mines. After the mines closed, he learned to repair cell phones and televisions. As the economy took a down turn in Zambia the repair business followed suit. About the same time he was disabled in a vehicle accident and faced major new medical challenges along with his previous diagnosis of AIDS. The family is surviving from the maize, groundnuts, cabbage and tomato shamba that Mom Ethel grows.

As long as Mirriam has food and uninterrupted ART treatment for HIV, she should do well. If Mom Ethel’s health deteriorates, however, the well-being of Mirriam and her 5 siblings will be further compromised. Based on the enthusiastic reception of the team, it is obvious Boss Mirriam has the full support of her workers who will do everything possible to make sure she has a long and healthy tenure as Boss.