Soaring on a wing

My name is Chijika Ngonga, a 37yr old single mother of 3. An award winning author of a book called Soaring on a wing and I am also an entrepreneur.

In March of 2016, I boarded a bus travelling between towns for business. Few moments into the journey the bus driver started over speeding not knowing that there was a road block mounted ahead. The traffic officer jumped onto the road to stop the bus. But in trying to avoid bashing the officer, the driver lost control and swerved off road. I was seated in the window seat where the bus crashed . I saw everything  as it happened but somehow lost consciousness.  When I regained consciousness,  I was still trapped in the bus. I tried to get up by leaning on my arm but I couldn't feel it so I screamed for help. I was pulled out of the wreckage and made to sit by the side of the road as we waited for an ambulance.  From the wailing of the onlookers I knew something was wrong with me but I was too scared to check myself. A good  samaritan with a van suggested we couldn't wait for the ambulance and so he offered to take me plus other injured passengers to a nearby hospital. 

I was made to lay on my back in the van, my horribly crashed arm was placed on my chest as we where rushed to the hospital.  

Fast forward, we got to the hospital  and I was wheeled to theatre. 

Following  morning when i woke up, i was safely tucked in , feeling sore . I checked myself only to see my residual limb bandaged and i though "oh, now i only have 1 hand". The doctor walked in and explained to me that the arm was severely crashed and was hanging by skin. There was nothing they could do to save it. And there my life began to healing.

Growing up, I used my right hand as the dominant  one, and so losing it suddenly  was a huge blow.  I had 3 children and was dealing with divorce so the experience didnt make anything easier. 

So I got to a place where I had to choose, was I going to live the rest of my life miserable? I chose to be grateful that my life was spared even though I lost my arm. There was a mindset change that had to take place n so I had to relearn quite a number of things. 

During the same period, I wrote a book called soaring on a wing, which is a book chronicling my personal journey in life,  the aspirations I had as a child and how everything changed after the accident. 

The books gives the reader going through a had time practical and biblical tips of how one can rise from tragedy. This book got me 2 awards. 

I have since registered a non profit that looks into the affairs of the vulnerable and disabled community here in Zambia. We give aids from wheel chairs to scholarships.  It is called Samaritan Hope Givers,  which is a Chijika Ngonga initiative to rise above disabilities. 

I am also a DIFFERENTLY abled entrepreneur of the year 2021 here in Zambia, I have a decor and events management company and a Hair Salon. 

I hope my story inspires someone out there. Even as I continue to fight for justice to get compensation