This archive report was first published on 19 November 2019.
On a fateful day in 2019, a devastating flash flood swept away a family of five in Handeni District, Tanga region, Tanzania, leaving behind a trail of heartbreak and loss.
Anna Zambi, a Form 4 candidate, was among those who lost their lives in the tragedy. Her parents, Grace Lington Zambi and Andrew Lington Zambi, and her three siblings, Lulu, Wilfrida, and Baby Lington, were all killed in the accident.
Anna's aunt, Isabela Lyimo, recalled the traumatic experience in an interview with Global TV, saying, 'We were in the car when we told her that her parents had passed away, she then asked to see her sibling. When we told her that they had also died, she snapped and no one could control her cries of pain.'
Isabela added that Anna's father had a work ID in his pocket, which helped the company inform them of the accident. The family decided not to tell Anna about the tragedy, wanting her to finish her exams in peace.
Anna sat for her National Exam council of Tanzania (Necta) – an equivalent of KCSE – just four days after the burial. Her aunt and other family members kept the news from her, even attending school prayers with her to avoid breaking the news.
It was only after she finished her exams that Anna learned about the tragic fate of her family. The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences of natural disasters and the importance of supporting those affected by such tragedies.
