RENEWED HOPE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, INC.
Working Together For Zimbabwe's Future
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RENEWED HOPE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, INC. Working Together For Zimbabwe's Future |
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| July 21, 2004 Dear Readers, We knew when we planned to come this time of year that it was winter and it would be cold. However, we were not prepared for the temperatures we have encountered. Sunday night it dropped to 34 degrees. We have never experience temperatures that cold in the past. That is very cold when no place has heat. Unlike years past, it has not warmed up very much during the daytime. I cannot complain when I have blankets to keep warm with at night; unlike orphans who may have only one blanket and are sleeping on the floor. I know there are children in many places who may have no blanket and inadequate clothing. We were in Harare over the weekend. Our car permit runs out the end of the month and we have been unsuccessful getting it renewed so far. The plan is to go back to Harare on Sunday and to try again on Monday. It seems we waste so much time with such things. We left home nearly a month ago and have little to show for the time. The stone carver came to see us today. He has moved to Harare with his family. There is just no outlet for his work in the rural area. There is really little tourist traffic even through Harare. It is very difficult for him to make a living. Ralph gave him some carving tools that were given to us for him. He was thrilled and was actually speechless. He finally told us that his work would now improve. We have just received word that one of the members of the School Development Committee passed away today. We have known him since we began coming here. He came to welcome us back the first day we arrived. Apparently both he and his herd boy became ill on Saturday and they both passed away today. It sounds like possibly food poisoning. The gentleman was in the hospital in Harare but apparently it was more serious than originally thought. There was nothing that could be done. He will be greatly missed by the community. Tomorrow, I will begin teaching the orphan care treasurer how to use the computer to keep the financial records. At the moment things are in great disarray. They need to be able to prove all their accounting on paper. I hope, when we have completed everything that it all balances. It appears that it will be a miracle if it does. From this point forward, they are to e-mail their expenditures each month. Tapiwa, a little boy who we suspected last year had AIDS, was brought to me today. He has, what appears to be a severe case of ringworm. On his right cheek there is a very large spot that must have been there for a long time. I ended up doctoring a number of places on his head and particularly in his hair. I am afraid that he will probably need to see a Dr. Now more than ever we need a full time nurse to monitor these children and doctor them when necessary. Part of the problem for the orphans is that there is no one to make sure they bathe. When it is cold, like now, they are less inclined to carry water, heat it and bathe. July 23, Today, we attended the funeral for the gentleman who passed away. Shortly after arriving we were informed that Mrs. Bondeponde was ill and needed to go home. When Ralph and I saw her, we knew it was very serious. We drove straight to Murewa to the hospital. She was admitted and remained there until Monday. Her symptoms were the same as the individuals who died. On Saturday, we learned of several other cases. People are never told what is wrong with them; however, it could very possibly be typhoid. The symptoms had all of the characteristics. Mrs. Bondeponde is home now but is improving very gradually. It is going to be along time before she is herself again. As if that were not enough, she has picked up the flu or something in the hospital. Conditions would make anyone ill. If I were to describe the conditions, no one would believe me. I will only say that there are no laundry facilities or at least they are not operating. Sunday, July 25 Ralph and I got up early and drove to Harare in time to attend church. After church friends invited us and Max and Judy to their house for dinner. It was in honor of our 50th wedding anniversary. We had a great time. On Monday another attempt was made to resolve some issues concerning our vehicle. Finally on Wednesday we returned to the rural area having made no progress. Ralph is going to town tomorrow, August 2 and will make one final attempt. If this is unsuccessful, we may have a short trip this year. This issue has wasted so much of our time. The trip to Harare has two purposes. One is to get the final materials to complete the preschool building. The space is so badly needed. It is our goal to have the building ready to move into when school resumes in September after holiday. The exterior is now painted and the workmen are starting to paint the inside. Windowpanes still must be fitted. Ralph will be hauling 210 panes coming back from Harare. He will have a challenge driving on the rough roads to keep the panes from breaking. The cold weather was of short duration, thank goodness. Nights are much more mild and the days are getting very warm. It was 80 plus a bit today and the wind blew nearly the entire day. That will mean there will be water in the storage tanks. It will be a relief to not have to carry water. Colorado has beautiful sunsets but nothing to compare to Africa. Recently, in the late afternoon, the sun appears as an enormous red ball suspended in air. It glides toward the horizon and slides silently down behind the hills. What a spectacular sight. Please pray for us. In His Service, Ralph and Roberta |
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Renewed Hope Charitable Foundation, Inc. | a 501(c)(3) charity | P.O. Box 1476 | Castle Rock, Colorado | 80104-1476 2004 Journal 02 |