Page 39 - Number 2 2021 Volume 74

Maria Chidzanja Nkhoma 27

work. Not long before she died, she sent a message to my sister and I (presumably
she was going to read the news) asking about how you pronounce Chatham - she
would want to ensure it was the correct pronunciation (and enunciation!).
Although I feel sad that she stopped seeing the young her in herself – she
was a real giggler with a cheeky sense of humour, but perhaps in her later years
she had found a higher purpose in her life and directed her talents in a different
direction. She set up a reading group called Girls Allowed. The membership for
this was MK5,000 per annum. You can see she was not doing it for the money.
Her focus was to help others read better by creating “A reading club promoting
the culture of reading and story-telling, with the arts for self-expression.” She
had all the necessary tools to impart the knowledge to a younger generation. This
really was not a business venture. She thoroughly enjoyed these Saturday sessions
but with work and church obligations could not always commit to it regularly.
I knew she was involved in the church but my sister Geraldine and I did
not realise how consumed she was until we returned for her Memorial Service in
May 2021. The church and time spent with the Poor Clares and Jesuit Fathers
were her time away from the world. She sought solace and the church gave her
comfort. She was certainly always happier after a church service. Even then, she
did not stop using her abundant talents. In fact she was adamant that she would
help others read better in church – so she generously shared her elocution and
presenting skills. She praised and encouraged the choir. She loved Maula Church
and her involvement there and the reasons became transparent to my sister and I
in the time we spent with Father Thawale, Mr Beseni, the Poor Clares; it was a
truly special time.
There is so much more to say…not enough pages. Mum, Adodo, Maria,
Mary, Anankho…sing with joy and the freedom that you so deserve. Orate as you
did. You are free of the shackles now…you paved the way for many and you gave
to people more than we ever returned to you. You have left a legacy that few in
Malawi could match. You did deserve more on this earth than you got back but
now you are free …SOAR! Look on us, pray for us and mostly sing for us! We
love you!

Ne’ema Bowen is a Solicitor and Practice Manager