If you have been to South Luangwa and visited Katapila or Kawaza Schools or have travelled between a camp in the Mfuwe area to one in the Nsefu sector the chances are that you will have been driven past Christopher Soko’s house. 

I know Christopher’s dad and younger sister Naomi; Mr Soko is the PTA Chairman at Katapila Community School and Naomi in grade 6, but until two days ago I didn’t know Christopher.  I was taken to meet him by Ireen, Katapila’s Head Teacher as she thought that we may be able to help by providing him with a wheelchair. Concerned, I went back yesterday with our local volunteer doctor, who felt that he should be sent to St Francis Hospital in Katete.  

Last November Christopher started to get pains in his back and shortly after in his stomach.  He soon became too ill to attend school. Over the last year he has become worse and has progressive paraplegia.  The swelling he developed has now started to travel up through the rest of his body and he is developing acute heart failure.

Christopher is too weak to travel by bus but one of our local suppliers has helped us arrange for Christopher to travel to St Francis Hospital by taxi and has even put $20 in of his own money towards the cost.  Thank you Lubasi.   But we do need to raise the rest, as well as funds so that his father can be with Christopher and care for him during his stay, and for the return journey - each way will cost $115.  

(We have permission from Christopher & his family to tell you this story)

Update  - 25/10/13 Today Christopher was collected at 06:00 by taxi and travelled to St Francis Hospital, a journey of around 6 hours. He was seen later that evening  by a doctor who then kindly phoned me to give an update. She explained that he had badly infected pressure sores and had been put on IV antibiotics but at that time she was unsure of the underlying cause of Christopher's illness and paraplegia.  

26/10/13 During the night he was given at least two units of blood. his fathe has infomed me that his legs are less swollen due the the drugs he has been given.  however he may have to go to Lusaka for a scan and if this is the case will possibly need to raise further funds.  more on Monday . . .