Other Lives
While raising goats, ducks and children in Shropshire the 1970s, Janie Hampton began an Open University BA in Human Sciences. In 1980 the Hampton family moved to newly-independent Zimbabwe where Janie edited a magazine for health workers, was an agony aunt on 'Horizon' magazine, the women's editor of The Manica Post and completed her OU degree.
After four years, the Hamptons travelled home on public transport and wrote the acclaimed book 'A Family Outing in Africa'. Back in England, Janie produced 'The Medical Programme' and 'Focus on Africa' for the BBC World Service. In 1988 she gained an MSc in International Health from Great Ormond Street Hospital, London. Her thesis was on the health and development of pre-school children in rural Zimbabwe.
She was then commissioned by the British Department for International Development to create a policy on international women's health. After that she planned health projects in Africa, South America and Asia for governments and NGOs such as ActionAid, Save the Children, Oxfam and UNICEF.
Janie on a recent trip to Malawi
Her latest project in Africa is to renovate the hospital ship 'Chauncy Maples'. The steamer was built in Glasgow in 1898, and then carried in pieces by sea and overland to Lake Malawi where she was reassembled and remained in service until recently. Now she needs a complete refit to serve the people around Lake Malawi who have no access to health services. See www.chauncymaples.org for more information.
Janie has been married to the psychotherapist Charles Hampton since 1971. When not working, they grow fruit and vegetables, and rear Peking bantams, quails and Indian runner ducks in their garden. Now their four children are grown up, their favourite hobby is playing with their grandchildren.