Walter Fisher

Walter Fisher (29 November 1865 – 30 December 1935) was an English surgeon and missionary who worked in Zambia for over 40 years. Born in Greenwich, Fisher was raised in a large, middle-class home. A "Plym", Fisher used his faith as a foundation for his service to people. He completed his medical studies in Guy's Hospital and qualified as a surgeon in 1887.

Fisher established the Kalene Mission Hospital in 1906 in the remote northwest corner of Zambia. The mission expanded to the Mwinilnga district in Zambia's North-Western Province and to neighboring areas of Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The hospital was known for embracing the local Zandu culture. A school, orphanage, clinic, and farm were later added to the services at Kalene.

Early life and education Fisher was born on November 29, 1865, in Greenwich, England, the fifth of nine children. His father was a businessman and owned a fleet of fishing smacks. His parents had a deep interest in gospel work and often hosted missionaries, including Robert Chapman and Henry Groves.

Fisher was raised as a "Plym", which was a member of the religious community originally known as the Plymouth Brethren. This community would later be known as CMML, Christian Missions in Many Lands. Any adult male in the church, often referred to as a "brother", could give a sermon or lead communion; a different approach than most Christian branches that allocate these responsibilities to ordained priests. This foundation heavily motivated Fisher and he knew from a young age that he wanted to be involved in missionary work, later being baptized at the age of fifteen.

Fisher attended Guy's Hospital as a student in 1881 and by 1887 he completed his studies with the qualification of a surgeon and with a gold medal in surgery. Instead of staying in England to complete his studies for the highest surgical qualification, Fisher decided that he would dedicate his life to missionary work in Africa.

Missionary activity on Kalene Hill expanded over time. A hospital, schools (including a boarding school for missionary children), an orphanage, a farm, and trading stores were founded.

Death and legacy Fisher died at the age of 70 in December 1935. His wife died three years after. Fisher's sons, Singleton and Ffolliott, carried on the work of their parents on Kalene Hill. Singleton became a missionary doctor and Ffolliott started a cattle ranch at Kalene Hill after being wounded during his service in World War I.

By 1930, Northwestern Zambia was populated with doctors, nurses farmers, teachers, and craftsmen. A network of Brethren families, mission stations, and bible study groups became part of the culture of the local population.