Dear friends and supporters,
How does one put into words 20 years worth of work, Magic and of caring? That’s how long in one way or another we have been helping pensioners in Zimbabwe. This is the story of one mans dream turned into reality- Incredible if I must say so. We firmly believe that had it not been for Hannes’s tenacious and “Bull Terrier” like spirit, the past 20 of years “roadblocks and curved balls” would have ended this dream. Yet as he has said many times to us, “these people are my life and nothing will stop me from serving them with payback”.
Over the past year of 2021 we lost many of our Golden Oldies and have had very sore hearts at the best of times. But we have also shared many smiles and tears with our Golden Oldies and this has made what we do even more special to us. The reason the Fund came about was when Hannes received a call from a friend in Zimbabwe and her mother yelled in the background “Tell Hannes we are living on potatoes”. This was 20 years ago. Joyce Boshoff passed away on the 27th November 2012 and is still sorely missed. But thanks to her, so many other pensioners are able to benefit from what we do.
Some history about the situation:
The first thing one needs to understand is that almost 75% of the pensioners do not have a pension or income and those that do receive between $13 – $40 US dollars. They did make adequate provision for their old age and originally retired comfortably. However, as Zimbabwe’s inflation went up into the “billions” of percent, the government kept taking off zeroes in an attempt to stabilize the economy. Overnight in January 2010 the reserve bank removed another 12 zeroes and people who had billions of Zimbabwe dollars were paupers the next day. No matter whether they had Zimbabwean dollars in the bank or at home they lost everything and were left with useless pieces of paper. They have never been compensated for the loss and never will be. So even though the currency changed to US dollars what they had in Zimbabwean dollars no longer existed. Our Pensioners are now at the mercy of Good Samaritans that reach out to them. That is where the Zimbabwe Pensioners Support Fund comes in.
For those who have been supporting us for a long time you have seen the regular trip reports, read all about the challenges, trials and loses we have had. This is not an easy undertaking by any means. Being responsible for so many people, the job and stress can be extreme at times and over the years both Hannes (26 July 2010) and myself (19 July 2018) have ended up having triple Bypasses. But with everyone’s support out there and your continued prayers we are managing to keep doing what we do.
It is truly heartbreaking that a generation that worked hard their whole lives, made adequate provision for their old days should have to go through something like this not once but twice.
Our February trip has literally just come to an end with Dave arriving back in Malelane Friday morning and Johan late Saturday. The aid from what I hear was once again gratefully received with things becoming more difficult in Zimbabwe with each passing day. Especially as this year we are supplying 10 boxes which is almost a box a month. The 2 boxes received so far were packed to the max, full of basics, to help alleviate some of the stress.
Some words from Dave” While visiting these homes I was saddened to hear of the spiraling costs of basic necessities that are just out of all our Pensioners reach. For some their chronic meds cost twice their pension if not more, so now they are having to do without or play inni mini mo and decide which meds they will take this month. How these folks are surviving and making it under these very difficult circumstances is beyond understanding. What with power outages and the cost of diesel / petrol going up almost daily yet they go on and I’m quite sure support help comes from within and ALL those around them. Also from Our Heavenly Father. AMEN. “
Almost 3 weeks before February trip we had already started receiving calls inquiring as to when the food parcels were going to be delivered. Quite a few of our “Golden Oldies” in Zimbabwe had or were close to running out of food. Mrs Olsen* when she contacted us was extremely distressed to hear that it would still be a while due to the issues we were having before the truck would be arriving. I know many of you think we are exaggerating when we say “our desperate “Golden Oldies” would literally not survive at this stage without your support”, we are totally serious. Its calls like these that break our hearts and remind us that no matter how difficult, frustrating and tough things get, this is a mission that cannot be stopped.
Basic goods are now beyond most peoples means. This whole situation is having a severe on many of our Golden Oldies, some of whom we have almost been supporting since we started. Most shops in Zimbabwe are running different prices depending on what you use to pay, USD Cash : Bond : Eco-Cash so which way you pay depends on what you have. Getting basic meds is almost impossible, one can physically the strain and pain on so many of their faces, the weight loss and air of frailty that is hanging around these proud people.
We are always on the lookout for volunteers to travel with us, get the hands on experience, grind the mill and get excited enough to promote our efforts. It is not good to travel these distances alone but the need is greater than the risk. Please avail yourselves and come along. It’s not a picnic or a holiday but you do have fun. We are also in desperate need of volunteer drivers for the trucks. Need a Code 14 license and valid PDP (Public Drivers Permit). Please we have run out of Wheelchairs, walking Aids and Crutches so please if you can help us with any of these items we would greatly appreciate it.
We are once again focusing on contingency plans for all the “incases” that could happen in Zimbabwe during 2022. We have been keeping abreast of the building tensions and delicate situation for the last while, so that we can plan our way forward. The situation in Zimbabwe is dire for everyone not just our pensioners, please keep them all in your thoughts and prayers. With some of the bulk purchasing done the last while our kitty which is normally there for the January through March “dry” months has now basically been depleted. As everyone is more than well aware I am sure the cost of food has gone up dramatically over the past few years and we are constantly being contacted with new names of pensioners that desperately need our help. This is making us have to turn every single cent 3x before we do anything with it. We only purchase stock when it is on special and then in bulk quantities to ensure we are using your donations in the most effective way possible. Your support is our sole source of income and we are doing the best we can with what we have, however we are at this stage just managing to support the current 1050 Golden oldies on our list. With so many still needing our help.
Prices for an order placed in 2012
| Quantity | Description | Price | Total |
| 1000 | 100 RITEBRANDTEA BAGS | R 9.99 | R 9,990.00 |
| 300 | 2KG RITEBRAND RICE | R 13.99 | R 4,197.00 |
| 300 | 410GR RITEBRAND PEACH HALVES | R 6.99 | R 2,097.00 |
| 1000 | 2KG RITEBRAND BROWN SUGAR | R 15.79 | R 15,790.00 |
| 500 | 300GR RITEBRAND CORNED MEAT | R 9.99 | R 4,995.00 |
| 300 | 1KG RITEBRAND OATS | R 14.79 | R 4,437.00 |
| 600 | 410GR RITEBRAND SWEETCORN | R 5.99 | R 3,594.00 |
| 300 | 500GR RITEBRAND MACARONI | R 6.79 | R 2,037.00 |
| 1200 | 750ML RITEBRAND OIL | R 10.99 | R 13,188.00 |
| TOTAL | R 60,325.00 |
Prices for an order placed 2022
| Qty | Size | Description | Unit Price | Line Total | |
| 3000 | 410gr | Tinned Spaghetti | R 11,99 | R 35 970,00 | |
| 3000 | 410gr | Tinned Mixed Veg | R 11,99 | R 35 970,00 | |
| 3000 | 410gr | Tinned Onion & Tomato | R 11,99 | R 35 970,00 | |
| 3000 | 410gr | Tinned S/Corn | R 13,99 | R 41 970,00 | |
| 3000 | 410gr | Tinned Gauva Halves | R 16,99 | R 50 970,00 | |
| 3000 | 410gr | Tinned Peach Slices | R 14,99 | R 44 970,00 | |
| 1500 | 500g | Samp & Beans | R 9,99 | R 14 985,00 | |
| 3000 | 200g | Tea | R 16,99 | R 50 970,00 | |
| 1500 | 1kg | No Name Cornflakes | R 34,99 | R 52 485,00 | |
| 3000 | 100g | Toothpaste | R 10,99 | R 32 970,00 | |
| 6000 | Ass Soup 10 @ R35,00 | R 3,50 | R 21 000,00 | ||
| 6000 | 300g | Tinned Meat | R 19,99 | R 119 940,00 | |
| 800 | 850g | Nespray Milk | R 88,00 | R 70 400,00 | |
| Subtotal | R 608 570,00 | ||||
Over the past 2 years since the start of Covid-19, we have managed to send up 750ml spray bottles, Hand sanitizers and 2 x Cotton Face masks per person. We have also sent up knapsacks, copious quantities of bottles of 25lt MaxiSan, bottles of 25lt Sanitizer, 70% hand gel. Plastic medical face shields, digital thermometers, Medical grade Ultrasonic Nebulizers and Bulk Oxygen concentrators. 1000’s of plastic disposable aprons, medical disposable gloves and disposable face masks have also been delivered. This was so that the frail care, dinning halls, wards, kitchens and all communal areas can be completely sanitized using the knapsack along with the Maxisan, which is food and pet friendly. We have also been sending up bulk vitamins and basic flu meds especially for the care and Frail Care facilities. The costs related to all of this have been intimidating but with everyone’s support achievable.
We welcome anyone who wishes to come and see our warehouse in Malelane and what we do.
Thank you so much for helping us support our “Golden Oldies” during these crazy times. Your support is invaluable and we at the ZPSF would never be able to sustain our regular supply of relief parcels if it were not for donations and support such as yours. All of this happens because of people like you, our Donors ensure our wheels keep turning, you are all truly amazing. THANK YOU and God Bless.
We hope everyone is keeping safe and healthy. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us, ask your questions, check the references that we give you and then PLEASE support our old Rhodesian pensioners who have nowhere to go.
| Kind Regards Linda Schultz Director – Fund Raising & Awareness for the Zimbabwe Pensioner Support Fund Phone 013 7900934Cell 079 608 2676 Email linda@zpsf.co.za Web www.zpsf.co.za Section 21 Co Reg. 2007/034036/08; NPO Number 096733; Section 18A PBO No 930031642 The 3 most important pillars of our cause: UNIQUENESS – being one of a kind and knowing that the ZPSF is driven by good will and very passionate members. TRANSPARENCY – enforcing the rule that all members must be fully informed before taking part in this noble venture. ACCOUNTABILITY – Having a traceable paper trail for every cent handled, and regular revues conducted. |