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Article added on 01 February 2008
Extracts from BULAWAYO WEEKLY REPORT 1st February
Extracts from BULAWAYO WEEKLY REPORT :
WEEK ENDING FRIDAY 1st February 2008 :
If there was a scrap book for Zimbabwe this week it would be a collage: businessmen making jokes as their livelihoods go down the drain; banking activities frozen by government regulations; a man shouting in frustration for lack of spares to fix his vehicle; destitutes standing all night in an attempt to stay dry in the remains of their plastic shacks; a woman curled in foetal position in the rain, staring at the passing traffic; another sitting on sodden ground protecting her wares with a ragged umbrella.
As far as the pensioners are concerned, what they had saved for a rainy day might now get them a few items of food and their pensions will not pay for medical insurance. Those who receive foreign pensions would fare better, but the post has been delayed and many have not yet received their December pensions. (Name deleted) have advanced money to those we know of, to tide them over.
As life here becomes more untenable people leave; some emigrate, others die. Several of the retirement homes’ administrators are retiring and we hope for suitable replacements. Those who remain are doing a stirling job on the whole. One of our field workers has been able to visit and encourage many people in the homes this week. Although the main purpose is to provide material relief, a friendly face and a sympathetic ear mean so much.
The food committee has provided the following feedback:
Dear (Name deleted) and (Name deleted), On behalf of the Chairman and Management committee I wish to convey our appreciation of your many donations in kind to (details deleted). We are overwhelmed by your generosity in supplying the essentials that we are unable to obtain in Bulawayo. It gives us great peace of mind to know that you are there for us and we just have to ask which items are running low.Truthfully it has been impossible to source food such as mince, chickens(at times), flour, cooking oil and so much else to sustain our older folk Yours sincerely (Name deleted)
With love from The Bulawayo Team
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