| News in Detail for July 2008 | Remembering Simon On 8 August 2008, Dr. Simon Mphuka passed away. Simon worked for Church's Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ), was a Constellation coach since its foundation and a great supporter of the Human Capacity for Response (HCR).
And he went on to say: "My own brother is not going to live for much longer. When he passes away, my own family will expand, as we will support his children. How would we cope? Before, I was very worried. But then during a community visit by the NFT, I saw what a fine job a poor grandmother was doing of educating her 12 grandchildren. She could do it, why not us? Her strength became mine. I am no longer considering quitting AIDS work. I now know that we Zambians are going to put an end to this epidemic!" Simon, your story inspired all of us. We saw how revealing and nurturing the capacity of individuals, families and communities would make a difference in the response to AIDS. Your powerful message is the foundation for the Constellation: you are with us every day. On behalf of the Constellation, we extend our sincere condolences to Simon's family and to all those who used to work with him. May his strength continue to inspire all of us! Jean-Louis Lamboray, Chair of the Constellation
People like Simon have made it this way. What gives young professionals like Simon energy, grace, integrity and motivation? First he was a human being full of 'yes', just to make the visitor feel at home, and relaxed. Everyone was worth a welcome. Second, he had a vibrant spirit of expectancy -exuding and giving away courage to have a try at anything that would bring renewal and life to families and communities in Zambia and beyond. Third, he discerned the priority of community capacity for taking hold of life, and he strenuously articulated his belief that 'every community counts and every community should be accompanied'. Fourth, he was grounded in faith and spiritual wisdom. Fifth, he was father, husband, friend and counsel to his daughters and his wife. Without Simon there would have been no Zambia 'National Facilitation Team'. CHAZ would still exist, but its moral integrity and organisational capacity would have been less mature. The intense international interest in Zambia would have been less genuine, more overwhelming, and certainly less respectful. With Simon, there was no question about leaving the country for 'greener' opportunities. As part of many international bodies, including the Global Fund Board , the International Health Partnership, the Constellation for AIDS Competence , and Affirm Facilitation Associates , he exerted immeasurable influence for policy and practice change, toward giving HIV, health , mission, and 'development' a human face . So he did not need to move away because he was a presence beyond specific geography. We are left with the pensive sadness of unexpected loss, sharply accentuated by knowing Simon's fine character, and having loved him as a person. Yet we are challenged, as we remember Simon, to understand that he has achieved more than anyone could ask or think, and he is at rest. Ian Campbell, Constellation Board member and coach, founder of Affirm Facilitation Associates Responses from members of the Constellation I can't imagine this.....May God continue to comfort Dr. Mphuka's wife and children, as well as all his sisters and brothers from Constellation's Family. Que son Ame repose en PAIX pour toujours. Prince C'est triste. Sa contribution pour la toute première conférence des confessions religieuses sur leur rôle dans la réduction des nouvelles infections à VIH&SIDA a été d'une importance capitale pour le renforcement de leur engagement contre le SIDA au Rwanda. Stanis NGARUKIYE, membre du Constellation, ancien coordinateur du Réseau des confessions religieuses contre le SIDA au Rwanda, Secretaire Exécutif du Réseau Rwandais des Personnes vivant avec le VIH&SIDA, actuellement consultant à la CNLS. Stanis NGARUKIYE fut un ami de Dr Simon, et a bcp profité de ses conseils et son experience pour contribuer à la mobilisation des grands Leaders religieux dans l'engagement contre le SIDA. Que Dieu tout Puissant reconforte sa famille. NOS CONDOLEANCES LES PLUS QTRISTEES, Stanis NGARUKIYE Dear All, All we can therefore do at this moment is to help console the family, friends and colleagues and pray for God's guidance. Let God Almighty guide and direct the family as they go through such a trial moment in life. It is a big loss to the Constellation. What we can take remember Dr. Mphuka is the national Facilitation Team and their work. I will therefore pray for this team to remain committed to the course Dr. Mphuka help put this team on for the good of Zambians and mankind in general. May his sole and all the faithful departed rest in perpetual peace - Amen! Ibrahim Kamara Dear colleagues and friends, - Brazey Dear Laurence, Regards, If you want to leave a message to Simon's family, please follow this link |
"For twenty years you have come to Zambia to address the AIDS issue. You told us that you had the solution. Zambians are hospitable people, so we welcomed you and invited you to go ahead with your solutions. But recently I became increasingly distressed, as I felt that we were not making any progress. Frankly, I was considering leaving the AIDS work all together. But then we organised the National Facilitation Team (NFT). During our community visits we do not analyse community needs, but appreciate community strengths. I realised that we Zambians could still mobilise lots of our own strengths in response to AIDS." - Simon was addressing donors at DFID headquarters in London in 2002.
When we think of Zambia and health, development, faith, and HIV, we tend to be optimistic, because some characteristics tell us that we can engage and learn. There is hospitality, kindness, space to relate and make mistakes, whilst moving forward simply because we are prepared to respect. Zambia is a teacher, with old roots, yet it is a young and hopeful nation.