After some delays at the border, we managed to cross into Zim on the 17 July and headed for Bulawayo arriving there that evening. Travelling the roads at night bring a complete new meaning to the words, “Running the Gauntlet”. Before we reached Bulawayo, we witnessed 2 accidents, one right in front of us with a vehicle swerving out to miss a cow in the road and rolling over 4 times, and one with a car in a head on collision with a 30 ton truck, will leave the carnage of the scene to ones imagination. We were also told not to stop for anything, as the crime rate has escalated dramatically and one has to be extra careful. We arrived at our guests home, Southern Comfort Lodge, where we treated like old friends and kings, receiving a good hot meal, hot bath and really decent place to sleep. After being on the road for so many hours, this was a true blessing for us and greatly appreciated.
The deliveries to the different home started early the next morning, with temperatures down to about -2 deg c, and were not prepared for the sad news which we received when stopping at the first drop off point. We were told that 12 pensioners had passed away from flu over the last month due to the lack off medication and other factors. This was a real wake up call, again, to the situation that these old folk have to contend with every day. One of the highlights for me was when we dropped off a large gas stove, from Norsan Gas, a donor in Empangeni, to Verity Amm House. There was much excitement when we connected up the stove and fired it up for the first time. The appreciation could be seen in their eyes and expressions. To the donor of this stove, Norman and Sandy, you have made a big difference in these people lives and assisted greatly in the feeding of many people who would not other wise received a hot meal, especially in the extreme cold winter conditions being experienced there now.
This highlight was very quickly suppressed when we delivered a food parcel to some of the outsiders, Mrs. Walker, and the White Family. The conditions which these people have to live in leaves one very depressed and emotional with a sense of regret on not being able to do more to help. The White family consists of a husband, who only has 30% of his lung capacity due to illness, wife and 3 young children who have to live in an outside building no bigger than 3m x 4m. The husband has to leave home before 4am in the morning, walking 3 hours to get to work in time. His one wish was to be able to get a bicycle, with the solid tyres. Any takers on this request can contact me, or Attie on 0829012291, or Hannes on 0845893221.
We also visited the Moths Cottages in Esigodini, in Bulawayo; the Masonic cottages, Coronation Cottages, Railton House, Jacaranda House, Queen Mary Home, Barbara Home for the Blind and SOAP organization
After a hot meal & little sleep, we departed for Gweru, my old home town. (Branie)
On arrival at Boggies Trust we were greeted with much excitement and appreciation, these folk are always a true blessing and inspiration to me. There we received the very sad news of the brutal and senseless murder of two of the pensioners over the last 2 weeks. The wife of one of victims was still in critical condition in the hospital. The motives for the brutal murders was still unknown and no-one could make sense of it as one of the pensioners was 80 years old, very frail and posed no danger to anyone. We were also told of the passing away of another pensioner in Gweru through sickness which brought the total to 15 pensioners who had passed away, just between Bulawayo and Gweru. Very sad news and definitely the lowest point of the trip. Through the day we completed the drop offs at Huisvergesig, Shurugwi and Zvishavane where we were also greeted with much appreciation and treated as old friends. In the early hours of the morning of 19 July, we departed from Gweru to return to SA with heavy hearts on not being able to do more but with great anticipation on seeing our own families again. Before we departed, we had a short discussion with a farmer who had lost his farm 4 months previous and was struggling to make ends meet, very sad.
Not all is doom and gloom in Zim, as there were some positive things that we saw and experienced. More cattle could be seen next to the roads with truck loads still coming through the border. The police at the road blocks were much more friendlier and gave us no problems. We were also told that the police are working hard, with the limited resources they have, to curb the crime spree currently there. Food stuffs can be seen on the shop racks although still expensive and can only be purchased in forex, Rand or US$. The pensioners do not benefit from this as the pensioners do not earn any forex or even receive a pension, and cannot purchase any of the food. Their daily existence is still one of fighting to survive and rely on the food parcels coming through from SA, this we saw and experienced at every placed we stopped and did drop offs.
The main message we received and were asked to pass on to all who have donated or assisted in one way or another was a Great Big Thank You, and to them, the pensioners, every time the trucks arrive and they see the food parcels marked with their names on it, that they have not been forgotten and that there are still people out there who care and think about them. Just seeing their names on the boxes and knowing that someone cares, helps them to fight their daily struggle for survival with a sense of pride.
It is difficult to put into words the appreciation shown by these old folk and can only be fully understood when one sees it for yourself. As said before, what a blessing and inspiration these old folk have been to us with memories that we will carry with us for the rest of our lives.
Yours in Christ Service
Branie Van Niekerk (Sybrand) and Norman Nimmo
Email : branie@telkomsa.net or nimpamnorm@telkomsa.net