I left Malelane at 18h00 Monday evening heading for Tzaneen. I arrived at 22h00 that night. On Tuesday morning I proceeded to Liz’s hours, and we started loading her furniture. We finished loading in the afternoon, and slept over in Tzaneen.
Wednesday morning 09h30 I left for Pretoria and spent the night in Pretoria.
Thursday morning at 04h00 we left for Welkom.
Arrived there and we unloaded the truck and spent the night there- the truck was parked at safe yard.
The next morning Liz took me to pick up the truck and I left Welkom at 11h30 for Mussina. I arrived in Mussina at 22hoo the evening and was picked up by Colleen, and her daughter Cassey, where I spent the weekend.
Saturday had to get some things for Hannes which he couldn’t get in Zimbabwe. Sunday morning 07h30 I left for the border. It took me six hours to get through, and eventually at 12h30 left for Bulawayo. I arrived in Bulawayo at 16h00 in the afternoon where Hannes and Angela, with her the help of her gang of workers she had at the warehouse, got me loaded up.
Sunday night I slept at Hannes’s apartment. Had a wonderful mutton curry stew for supper, which Hannes prepared for us.
Monday morning I left for Gweru. I was met by Bruce Chilcott, and was given a tremendous welcome at Boggies Trust. Ever present Ivy and her daughter met me with some delicious homemade biscuits. What wonderful people all those at Boggies. I love them all.
My next stop was the Hubert Lee home in Redcliff. Spent some time chatting with the residents and then had to leave.
My next port of call way Lynnbrook in Kwekwe. What a place to go to the special to be. There with those wonderful people. I was given a 100 liter donation of diesel by a wonderful girl who took me, showing me the way to the diesel pumps, and them showing me the way out of Kwekwe. God bless you girl.
My next stop was West View Retirement Home in Kadoma where I saw Chris, and old friend of mine. Had a wonderful reception from everyone and then the cherry on the cake spending the night with Clive and Estelle O’ Riley. Had a wonderful evening with them and a wonderful bed for the night.
Tuesday morning, I left Kadoma for Chinhoyi ending up at Sunningdale Trust. I met with those wonderful people and luckily this time there was no rain. This time with Daniel and I got stuck there on my first trip with him, but no problem they had a a big 4×4 tractor, came and pull us out.
I left Chinhoyi for Harare, and met Hannes outside of Harare and he showed me the way to Mike and Marion Futter, where we delivered the many boxes that they will deliver to the outlying areas. Thanks Mike and Marion for your help.
Then off to Vic in Harare – he has been donating diesel fuel to the fund for the last couple of years. Thank you so much Vic: it’s through people like you that help us to carry on with the work in Zimbabwe. We got our diesel and then Hannes took me to John and Leonie Herbst, where Hannes and I spent the night. John and his wife gave us a wonderful evening. John braaied for us and man can that man braai!
Wednesday morning John took me back to the truck and I left for Mutare where I was to meet with Des and Sally Bekker. Des met me at a garage as you enter Mutare, then he led me to his warehouse, where Simba and his guys offloaded the tuck, which Des would deliver the next day. Sally then took me to their home where I spent the night and might I say, a wonderful night.
Thursday I left for Chivhu on the way to Piet and Frieda de Klerk. I must say the trip around Zimbabwe has not been easy as I have made this trip once before and that was with Daniel, so this trip Hannes made hand drawn maps for me, which I followed and I must say at times I got terribly lost, so getting lost was nothing new to me as I got lost looking for Piet’s plot in Chivhu. Anyway I found it as he is well known to everyone in Chivhu so I was given directions to the way and found the place.
After having been fed with wonderful homemade soup which was veggies and beef. I left for Masvingo. Well, going to Masvingo was like going home for me as I had lived there for twelve years with my beautiful wife Milleen and my family Tyrone and Naaidyia. Tyrone, my son was born in Masvingo, so it has a very special place in my heart.
Thursday afternoon I arrived at the house at five thirty and met up with Johnny Nel and Dusty Evens. We offloaded late so I slept over by John Nel in the house he has been looking after. Johnny Nel has been told he needs to leave the house and the ZPSF is currently trying to assist / arrange alternative accommodation for him.
Early Friday morning I loaded up all the empty boxes. Before I left I gave Dusty his 20 liters of diesel so he can go and distribute the boxes to all the people in that area.
I then left for Zvishavane to find my way to Lynne D’Ews. When I got there, while her helper was unloading the boxes from the truck, Lynn took me in to the house where I was given sandwiches and coffee. Thanks Lynn for your hospitality it was such a pleasure to get to know you.
Then I was off to Muus Lodge on Friday afternoon. I found the Lodge after one of the residents came to fetch me and show me the way. I arrived and everyone came out to greet me and I was made to feel so welcome. I was again given sandwiches and juice. Thanks to all you wonderful people at Muus Lodge.
I left Muus and to go back to Boggies Trust where Bruce was waiting for me, and I spent a good night in Gweru.
Early Saturday morning I loaded all the empty boxes at Boggies Trust and said farewell to Bruce, and left for Bulawayo. I met Hannes. There at the warehouse with Angela and we offloaded all the empty boxes. I then left for the Border, and slept at Joe and Hester in Mussina.
I left Mussina at 04h30 and headed back to Duiwelskloof. I spent two days here in Duiwelskloof and on Tuesday, my daughter Naaidiya followed me to Malelane where I dropped the truck off by Linda at the warehouse.
Overall the trip went very well, seeing that it was my first solo trip, and I cannot wait for my next trip.
Well as you all know I am the new driver, and all I can say is thank you all for this cause that we are all involved with. God bless all of you who make this possible. God bless all those wonderful people of Zimbabwe.
Russell.
UNTIL THE NEXT TRIP.
Head Office Contact Details:
Linda Schultz
(C) 079 6082676
(T) 013 7900934
Fax to Email – 086 267 8499
Section 21 Co Reg. 2007/034036/08; NPO Number 096733; Section 18A PBO No 930031642