Mukupa Writes

Disability grant gives Chikokomo a livelihood By Linda Mupemo Mackenzie Chikokomo sells vegetables to Chisamba District Social Welfare Logistics Officer Benard Tembo (center) and Social Welfare intern Linda Namala                                        Walking steadily with the help of  a crutch, Mackenzie Chikokomo weeds his vegetable garden on the shores of Mwomboshi river.  Although he needs mobility aids to support the right part of his body, he is undeterred in his farming endeavours.    Mr. Chikokomo, a small-scale farmer in Chisamba district in Central Province, is living with a disability which resulted from a crocodile attack when he was nine years old.    He secured a piece of land near the river to enable him grow crops all year round.    The 46-year-old, who is a father of two,  grows Chinese, kale and maize for sale as well as for ...

  By Linda Mupemo Painting a cherry blossom It was a sunny Thursday morning when my fellow China International Press Communication Center (CIPCC) participants and I went to Huawei Beijing Exhibition Hall on a media tour.  I had only stayed in China for a few weeks at the time of our visit to the organisation. During that period, I got introduced to an unmatched level of hospitality. Wherever my colleagues and I went, be it manufacturing companies, learning institutions or museums, we were treated with so much warmth. China felt like a home away from home. In addition, officials always gave us souvenirs such as diaries, branded memory sticks and pretty portable flasks. By the way, Chinese people have a culture of regularly drinking hot water. The practice is said to be good for one’s health and one way to keep the body warm in freezing winter. Let me hasten to say I love to stay hydrated, drink lots of water and mind my business! With...