Random Things I've Learned in Zimbabwe

 

o   Shona. It is a beautiful language

o   The pain of hair braiding.

o   How to play the tin whistle…badly.

o   How to drink Fanta without grimacing. I don’t normally like soft drinks.

o   How to read a map of downtown Harare. Unfortunately it means that I am always voted navigator.

o   How to grow a garden.

o   How to catch termites with spit on a stick. I wouldn’t try it if I were you!

o   How to cope without running water.

o   How to cope without much electricity or internet.

o   How to make new friends and miss old ones.

o   How to spot chameleons. They are possibly the weirdest animals in the world!

o   Patience. Zimbabweans are often late.

o   How to carry water on my head. It hurts!

o   How to be singled out and stared at.

o   How to be laughed at for making a mistake.

o   How to haggle.

o   How to be friendly and greet EVERYONE.

o   How to walk 2km in 2½” heels. DO NOT TRY THIS!!!!!

o   How to have no TV.

o   How to spot zebras. I spotted some zebras!
Abbey

New Arrivals

This sweet newborn baby came to stay at MRCH yesterday. She has been named More Light. You can see that she is wrapped snugly in a blanket but the picture doesn’t tell the whole story. In fact, we’ll probably never know her whole story. More Light was born earlier in the day but her mother abandoned her in a pit latrine. She was found when some people heard her crying. The toilet was dismantled and the baby recovered. Miraculously, she has no sign of infection or injury.

It was simply incredible to see the way More Light was warmly welcomed by her House Mama here. I hope the Mama’s tenderness goes some way to restoring her. Abbey was one of the first people to meet More Light and was allowed to give her a name. Abbey gave her the middle name “Zvakanaka” which means “beautiful”. Amen.

Come to think of it, if you are a praying person please say a prayer for More Light. She is fragile and has a real struggle ahead. While you’re there, please say a prayer for More Light’s mother. We can’t know what led her to abandon her baby but it’s safe to assume she is in a terrible state.

Grant

Circumspect

 

WARNING – This entry contains some adult themes.

      Let me make two seemingly unrelated observations:

1.   There are an incredible number of orphans and vulnerable children who require support in Zimbabwe. A rough estimate of two million is often quoted and many of these live in Epworth.

2.   There is a huge drive in Zimbabwe to encourage male circumcision. Men of all ages are loudly encouraged to have the procedure to help reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and certain cancers. Rock stars smile enthusiastically down from billboards to encourage circumcision

Now let me link these two observations. We met with an impressive organisation today that does a heroic job encouraging home-based care of orphans and vulnerable children in Epworth. I have no doubt they are doing a power of work on a TINY budget. The tricky part is that the tiny budget comes solely from the organisation responsible for promoting circumcision. So there is a direct relationship between how many men agree to the snip and how much funding they receive. The staff and volunteers divide their time between caring for orphans and finding ways to encourage circumcision.

Tough sales brief! I can only imagine the pitch:

“Excuse me sir, we are trying to care for local orphans. Would you please consider having just a small part of your genitals cut off so that we can continue our good work?”

Despite one of the toughest ideas in the world to pitch, the organisation is surviving, even flourishing, with the modest budget they get. To me it’s another tribute to Zimbabwean tenacity. 

Grant

Planting Season

It is a pure delight for me to see the tilling of the soil in preparation for the coming maize season in Zimbabwe.  Every spare piece of land (near houses, roads, schools, shops, fields etc) is being transformed into productive areas to grow food.  At first it surprised me to see this happening through-out the city of Harare but now I celebrate to see such good utilization of the available land to feed the people who live here. 

The long dry season is now coming to an end (in Harare at least).  The grass is greening, the trees are covered in lush green leaves and the first maize crop is steadily growing taller.  After each rainfall, insects fill the air and the children at MRCH race to catch all that they can.  If I am fortunate enough, they cook the insects before they offer it to us to eat.  They are delicious (if your mind can relax enough to enjoy the taste). 

It is such a privilege and joy to live through and enjoy the different seasons of this country.  

Anthea

Shank's Pony

Earlier this week, some bold bandit stole a bike from one of the guards at MRCH. His bike had been leaning against the door of his home during a downpour. When our guard next came out, he found his bike had walked. Petty theft? Maybe, but the consequences for the guard are serious. He lives around ten kilometres (by road) away from MRCH so the daily bus fare required is $4. Unable to afford this the guard walks. This morning, he left home at 4am to arrive at work on time at 6.30am. He looked pooped. I asked how long it would take him to be able to purchase another bike. He was pessimistic, saying he didn't have any money. For now he walks.

Grant