CAR diary: Girl who melted soldiers’ hearts - and the captain who couldn't leave her behind
Capt. Chansa with Thabo on her first birthday. Capt. Chimwala with baby Thabo and the baby's aunt. Capt. Chansa with baby Thabo. Capt. Sharon Namuchimba, FET commander holding baby Thabo, while Capt. Chimwala looks on. A day before leaving Birao, with UN head of office for Birao, Bessan Vikou, and Battalion Commander Zambatt 7 Lt. Col. J Mwana'hingombe. Capt. Chansa leaving Birao with baby Thabo. Capt. Chimwala with Thabo in Birao, Central African Republic. JACK ZIMBA IN A flat in Lusaka, a little girl makes unsteady steps, her radiant face, shrill baby calls and yellow floral dress lighting up the room. Watching her every move is the girl’s adoptive mother, Zambia Army captain Mwila Chansa. She is a doting mother and is all bubbly as she talks about the little girl. She thinks one day she will become president of her country. The little girl’s story does not begin in Zambia, surrounded by love, care and hope; a place where her future is guaranteed. The li...