A popular junior doctor at Noble’s Hospital has left the island with his wife on what he describes as a ’little adventure’ - to work at a mission hospital in Africa.

After months of planning, Andrew and Jenny McAdam have now started their long journey over land to Zambia.

It was at the mission hospital in Chitokoloki in northern Zambia that Andrew met Jenny and also where Andrew’s parents live and work.

Born in Zambia, Andrew was educated at boarding school in Sakeji, Zambia, run by Christian Brethren missionaries.

He married Jenny at her home in Newfoundland last year. Jenny is a Canadian-trained nurse but because of paperwork problems had not been able to nurse in the island - instead she worked at Starbucks in Douglas.

Travel planning has been quite a problem for them taking into account all the instructions issued by the UK Foreign office about suitable routes.

When they reach Chitokoloki, hopefully before Christmas, they will work there for about six months.

The name Chitokoloki means "sparkling waters" and, situated on the banks of the river Zambezi, has wonderful sunsets.

It is a mission station with a large busy hospital serving not only the people living in the rural catchment area but many others who travel from all areas of Zambia and neighbouring countries too.

The station comprises three separate hospital buildings, nine missionary homes, guest flats, staff flats, swimming pool, grinding mill, tannery, airstrip and aircraft hangars and local church buildings.

Adjacent to these facilities are two government-run schools - primary and secondary.

The mission station is not run as part of any Christian organisation. It has its own small plane and pilot for medical flights to other hospitals, to Lusaka for visitors and other places as needed. Some 410 hours of safe flying occurred last year.

The nearest shopping centre is some 10 hours road travel away in the Copper Belt.

After their African adventure, Andy and Jenny plan to return to the UK where he will undertake his surgical training.

Friends and staff at Noble’s will be pleased to learn that their personal effects and wedding presents are being stored in the island with a strong likelihood they will return to the Isle of Man at a later date.

In the island the pair have had connections with both Broadway Baptist Church and Elim, Peel. Friends here wish them well and look forward to news of their travels and work in Zambia.