Happy Landing

We have landed very well in Zimbabwe. Our flight was epic (36 hours!) but the girls were intrepid. We enjoyed the distraction of airline food, squillions of movies and free toys. We endured waiting and waiting and trying to sleep in airports, various seats and changing time zones.

ALL of our luggage arrived in Zimbabwe at the same time as us! Customs had a good rummage through our things but there was nothing that troubled them. We were picked up from the airport by Astonishment (Matthew Rusike Children’s Home Director) and Zvirinani. Harare seems like a far greener and friendlier city than I’d remembered.

We live at the Matthew Rusike Children’s Home which is about 15 Km from Harare. It is very much like a small farm with little houses dotted between fields of maize, chicken coops and a school. The children live in ‘family’ groups and though there are 146 of them it is a very peaceful place. The children work – gathering water, looking after babies and doing schoolwork. They also play on the huge rocks that are scattered around the area. Boys build kites from bread bags and play soccer (with balls made from bread bags!). Girls chat, skip and enjoy playing with the smaller children.

We lived first with the Reverend Tadzeushe and his wife Tariro but have recently moved into a two-bedroom house. It is pretty challenging to keep on top of domestic tasks when the power and water are off more often than on. Same goes for communication (sorry) – we have not been able to access a sim card or a connection to the internet. We have made one phone call and had half an hour at an internet café. We are eating well and have stayed quite well (some slightly upset tummies not withstanding) and the girls love the local food (often sadza (maize meal porridge) and beans). We have a simple but lovely home.

The girls have begun school and seem to be enjoying settling into a pattern. What they enjoy even more is playing with the children here. It is a delight to watch the giggles that stem from learning each other’s games and language. Anthea has been attending the local clinic with Litta, the nurse. She has also spent time talking with the ladies that come from the local community who work at Matthew Rusike about their nutrition and health. The majority of the centre and people in the community of Epworth rely on food that they can grow themselves. I have been teaching the girls and helping out with teaching, bible teaching and the homework centre. I seem to be playing guitar and singing a lot.

We feel safe and happy here. The hospitality we have enjoyed has been incredible. We have recently visited the Balancing Rocks at Epworth and have tootled to some rural areas. We have spotted a worm snake, a monkey, an antelope and a chameleon…but no zebras yet.

Grant