March
Journal Entries
MARCH 30th, 2000
MARCH 23rd, 2000
MARCH 12th, 2000
MARCH 10th, 2000
MARCH 4th, 2000
MARCH 3rd, 2000
FEBRUARY ENTRIES
MARCH 30th, 2000
Hello friends in Canada!
Wow, I really can't believe that it's March 30th!! This month
has flown by!
I had an awesome time with the kids at school this morning. I'd
brought worksheets that I'd photocopied yesterday: we were spending half the
class copying the questions from their workbooks, and the other half answering
them. You see, the school can't afford to let the kids use the workbooks, so
they must use notebooks, and copy out everything! So, my co-teacher, Martin,
inspired me with the wonderful idea of creating math worksheets to bring for the
kids. A little thing, but a wonderful thing. The kids were thrilled - you'd
think they'd never seen a photocopy before! (I think they were just so relieved
that they didn't have to copy any more.)
They worked like I'd never seen them work before - tens and ones
and all sorts of units were flying across their pages. Fortune, a little boy,
was giggling hysterically every time he got one right. He is usually so quiet,
so it was good to see him being proud of his work. I feel like I've finally
gained trust with the kids. It's one thing to be the fascinating new face, and a
foreign one at that, but I think they are learning that they can rely on me and
trust what I tell them and learn from me.
We took the kids to see an educational flick in the afternoon
and I loved walking down the streets with them! I love that the kids look to me
for help and reassurance, despite the language barrier and culture difference.
People stared and watched the troupe of us, scrambling through city centre, but
no photojournalists this time! (Ha, ha, ha, -- I've gotten a fan letter from
someone in another city in Zim, with the article enclosed. Also someone came to
the school wanting to work with me and "my organization". I kindly
informed him that it was not my organization, and he could talk to the director.
I paid no attention to him, and after a few days of volunteering, he
miraculously lost interest in the school.)
One thing I love about the kids are their names. There is Simba
(meaning strength), and Fortune (mentioned before), and occasionally a little
Blessed in my class. Other kids are Innocent, Gift, Chipo (Gift, but in Shona),
Lovemore, and my personal favourite - Never! You may think that people of childbearing
age 5 - 10 years ago were a little crazier than most in Zimbabwe, but it's not
only this age group! The teachers are Admire, Pretty, Beauty, and I have a friend
who's Fabulous! These Zimbabweans sure know how to name their children!
The petrol crisis is old news, but it still hasn't improved. People line up for
days at a time. Its common to see whole streets blocked with queues. As for
elections... who knows when they'll actually happen. Not for a while. It seems
as though they'll be delayed at least a month or so.
This week I've gone into three schools to do an AIDS presentation with my friend
Rachel, from VIVA network. We went into the Christian clubs at the high schools
- organized by the church I attend Sunday evenings, River of Life. Now these
Christian Clubs are nothing like ones I've seen in Canada: in my school of 2000,
I think the group was 15 or so. (I confess, I wasn't involved in it.) But here,
the high schools are about 300 - 400 kids and the Christian clubs are between 60
and 80! Pretty impressive number of kids. So we were able to talk to a lot of
kids, and I played a game that NSS uses in our SASS program about how HIV
spreads. Its a great game because it really shows the reality of how HIV is
spread - by the middle of the game, everyone in the room has been at risk for
HIV, but then, dependant on their behaviour modifications, they can protect
themselves from contracting it.
For the next two Saturdays, I'm going with Youth for Christ to two rural areas
to do big AIDS rallies. I don't know much about my role yet, as our meeting is
on Friday, but I think I'll be speaking. I can't wait to get into the rural
areas. It's always like another world. In fact as soon as you step outside city
limits, its completely rural. The city doesn't spread out for miles, like in
Toronto. It just stops when the buildings do, and then you're in maize fields
and huts and other rural landscapes. (Like balancing rocks - they're
everywhere!)
Next Monday I have another workshop with a group of women (widows), and I'm
looking forward to doing that one. The first one went really well, and people
asked a lot of questions. I'm hoping for some good discussion about youth and
AIDS.
I'll finally be going to the hospital, Karanda, that I'd thought I'd be working
at. They managed to get a tank of petrol, so their home based AIDS care program
is up and running. I'll go during school holidays (one more week to go) but I
don't know for how long. When I'm at Karanda, there will definitely be no email
access - I wonder how long I'll survive.
I am tired. I keep telling myself it's the high altitude or an afternoon volleyball
game, because I don't feel like I'm doing any more than I did in Toronto. (Well,
I'm really not - how do you think I have time to write all these emails?) But I
think that daily life is more exhausting here. Its a struggle to bridge the
culture differences, and to be aware of everything around me. I'm at home here,
but still, I am different than a lot of other people and kind of a target for
things I don't worry about in Toronto.
I love it though, don't get me wrong. I hope I wont be gone for long from this
place. University is a mere 8 year break...
This is what I am up to in Zimbabwe, and it is all for now. Thanks for reading
this (slightly less entertaining) update of the life of Lianne!
BACK TO THE TOP
MARCH 23rd, 2000
All nature seems to speak...
As for me, I cannot understand why
everybody does not see it or feel it;
nature or God does it for everyone who has
eyes and ears and a heart to understand
- Vincent van Gough, The Complete Letters.
The Jacaranda and Acacia trees are my favourite parts of walking around
downtown... despite the very high density city spaces, the crumbling pavement and roads, the
decrepit public offices and the general presence of poverty, theses huge trees stretch
across the skies in Harare. On some streets there is a roof of these trees - some with huge orange blossoms
that hurt when they fall on you. The nature of Africa is nice to look at, from a tourist perspective, but
it speaks more to me when I am discouraged with stuff, too. When I am frustrated, it kind of keeps me
grounded. Shows me the power and beauty in Creation. The spider that just scurried
across the wall by my head just spoke to me, too. In a less poetic way, however, and I am reminded of some of God's
other creations. Ugh. When those things run, they expand in size - kind of lurch out at you.
I don't know what to write about. I could detail my experiences at City Presby school: I could talk about how much the kids love to learn and are
so wonderful to hug. How they greet me with smiles and this little Shona handshake and Ombera (like a clapping thank you). But then I would become
frustrated with the reasons these children are in the "street kids" school in the first place, and I don't want to write about corruption and things
that can't be helped. As great as the school is, there are so many tangled up problems that mean
the kids aren't getting the education, support and even food that they could be. As an outsider, I want to help, but I am not in the right
position to have an effect on those problems. My strategy is to focus on loving the kids.
I could write about my adventures with the Ministry of Education: My work with Youth for Christ takes my into funny little meetings with the
secretary of education and the director of Human Resources. There are cockroaches
on the floor, and no computers anywhere and the elevators don't work and I wonder if this is really the Ministry of Education.
We discuss AIDS and children and I learn that there are some people in the Education
System that really care about the kids. (Which is a bit of a
relief.) The secretary has agreed to take on the "Worth the Wait" program as a special project, mandatory in all secondary schools - which means that
we'll get a higher amount of schools participating, than if it was just an optional
project supported by the secretary, offered by Youth for Christ. The program's objectives (essentially boiled down in one word:
abstinence) are in line with the ministry's AIDS education curriculum, so this makes it
flow nicely with what schools already may have in place. This whole abstinence thing has gotten some getting used to, as Toronto
Public Health has a different, more "safer sex" and condom-y approach that
I've become accustomed to. But desperate times call for desperate measures: the risks of kids getting HIV are so high here, that educators
don't have the luxury of playing with different protection ideas and approaches. It's
no sex, or unsafe sex in Zimbabwe. I'm going with YFC into some rural areas to help with some big AIDS
rallies for teens. They think having an "American" face and voice will be sensational for kids, and I can see that this will be true. The first one
is on April first. I'm looking forward to it!
I could write about a workshop I facilitated this morning (took the day off school). It was for a group of widows that are concerned about talking
to their kids about AIDS. I worked with a girl named Rachel, who is also into AIDS work in Zim. We spent the whole morning in discussion and
answering questions -- it was great! We only got through half the material we'd planned on covering, so we'll meet again in a week or so. These widows
travel to rural areas, to visit women who can't get to the city. They teach them
everything from how to make envelopes for income generation, to what they learned today about AIDS. Its good to know that we were able to help
not only these women, but hopefully others with AIDS concerns.
I could write about what everyone in Zimbabwe is talking about: Politics and petrol queues. Starting with the latter, people are waiting in queues
(or line-ups as we Canadians call them) for as long as 6 hours, and still come away with no petrol! Its
unbelievable! Apparently Mugabe went to Kuwait for a meeting about the petrol crisis here and
people say that he's come back and decided to rename the country to "Queue-wait".
(ha ha ha) As Zimbabwe heads towards the election, there are definitely interesting
headlines in the paper! Check them out in the Zimbabwe Section of the Website
under News. I picked a very pivotal and thrilling time to be in Zimbabwe!
Thank you for all your emails and for reading my site! I struggle sometimes with my efforts here, and it means so much to have people at home
(6 trillion miles away...) who think of me and support me! I'll write again, soon!
Love always, Lianne
BACK TO THE TOP
MARCH 12th, 2000
Well, I had a great night tonight! I went to a church called
"River of Life". It's a non-denominational, fairly charismatic
Christian congregation - mostly youth and young adults. I met someone this week,
a woman named Rachel, who often goes on Sunday nights, so I was able to catch a
ride! I heard of the church from a friend in Canada who was born in Harare. He
said that it was a lively congregation - and he was right! It was a really good
service, with awesome worship music. I spoke to the worship team afterwards, and
it turns out that they practice on Monday nights, just
about half a kilometer down my road! So I'll go tomorrow and practice with them,
and hopefully join the worship team! In terms of my work, I am really meeting a
lot of people! I seem to have made friends in all the right places, so I know
about a lot of things happening in Harare, in terms of Christian ministry.
Rachel is part of VIVA
Zimbabwe, a new network of all the Christian organizations working with children
at risk in Harare. This includes AIDS orphans and street kids - so I'm lucky to
have met her. Her background is in HIV/AIDS work, and she's also interested in
educating in schools. So this week we'll meet with the "River of Life"
woman who is in charge of all the work they do in Harare High Schools. (They run
an extensive Christian Fellowship through all the high schools.) The woman,
Fiona, is interested in Rachel and I going around and doing a workshop/talk on
HIV/AIDS. It would be great, If things work out with her!
I am still working with Youth For Christ (YFC), mostly on
Mondays and Fridays. Tomorrow, we have a meeting with the Curriculum Development
people at the Ministry of Ed. to discuss how YFC's "Worth the Wait"
program can fit into all the schools. I am astonished at how receptive and
welcoming the Ministry of Ed. is to YFC, considering its a Christian
organization, offering programs with Christian content. Zimbabwe is really
different than Canada in this way: Religion is far more expected and accepted
within the general public. [Sometimes, the Ministry meetings even opened in
prayer!! I've been to Church meetings that don't even open in prayer!! -- Not at
YPBC, of course :) ]. And on Tuesday through Thursday, I work at the City
Presby school. Things are finally confirmed, in terms of my being
"allowed" to work there. TEAM came down and talked to MaiChikomo (the
director) who is happy to have me, so I'll definitely be there for the next few
months. I really love it!
Actually that brings me to my first promised article: Lianne's
picture was in the Daily News! Here's the story: Last Wednesday, Ingeborg
and I were taking the kids on a
"field trip" to an educational movie about Africa, at a local film
place, when a photo journalist joined our entourage. I guess we looked a little
conspicuous: Two white girls followed by about 30 little black street kids.
(Followed perhaps doesn't cover it, there was more piggybacking and scampering
and screaming and laughing going on than just plain old following.) He was very
interested in what we were doing with the kids, so we chatted with him as we
walked. As we were waiting for the film to be set up, I was playing a game with
the kids, and he snapped a couple pictures.
We didn't really think it would make the Harare Daily news, but sure enough,
page three the next day! There was no article, just a caption - but still, I've
only been here three weeks, and I've made the news! Hot stuff, I tell you!
NOTE: Ingeborg is a 25 year old Dutch girl
I've made friends with. We explore Harare together and although she is finished
at the school now (for traveling purposes) she will be in and out of Zimbabwe
for the next few months and the plan is that we'll travel together in July!
In closing, the Birds of Paradise flowers are out in full bloom; it thundered so
hard last night that all the plugs in the house crackled; and there is no danger
of me losing any weight in Africa, as the TerVeens keep me more than well fed.
Goodnight from Zimbabwe!
Love Lianne
BACK TO THE TOP
MARCH 10th, 2000
Top Ten Interesting Facts About Living in Harare.
10. There is no shortage of bananas. Everywhere you go there are banana sellers.
They have little cardboard boxes and crates on every street corner. You can buy
not only bananas, but a variety of apples, oranges and mangoes too. It'll cost
you though... two to three dollars per banana. (It may sound extravagant, but
keep in mind the exchange is $1 zim. to $25 can.) Where do people get all the
bananas? I see no banana trees. They must be around here somewhere.
9. Instead of house-spiders and centipedes, there are a multitude of other
creatures to invade your home. My personal favourite are the black wall spiders.
They come in a variety of sizes, ranging from the size of a thumbnail to the
size of a small hand. They occupy their time hiding behind pictures (they are
very flat), eating mosquitoes (this is why people don't kill them) and showing
up in exiting and unexpected places (like my bed). Another fun little fellow is
the gecko lizard. They are mostly outside in the garden, but I have seen them
scurry up people's walls and across the ceiling. I like them more than the wall
spiders. They don't have any
interest in my bed.
8. The currency. This in itself has been weird to get used to. The Zimbabwe
dollar has plummeted in value over the last decade or so, and it is steadily
falling. As I said, $1 Zim is only worth about 4˘ Canadian (or 3˘ US, for all those
in the states reading my e-journal - I know you're out there). So I end up
paying $15 (60˘) for a Sprite, $50 ($2) for a movie and $593.84 ($23.76) for my groceries!!! Unfortunately,
to Zimbabweans a dollar is still a dollar and while I have fun converting it all
back into Canadian currency and laughing at the prices, they find everything
very, very expensive. Despite the decreasing value of the dollar, wages have not
increased enough to compensate. Many people are still making $750 ($30) a month - not
enough to pay the rent, school fees and grocery bills.
7. Robert Mugabe has a lovely little estate in the centre of town. It is on
Upper 7th street and I have passed it a few times during the day. There are high
walls with barbed wire and a number of guards surrounding it. While in many
areas of town it is not uncommon to have a gate with a guard, the difference is
that his are armed with enormous guns. During the night, however, it is
impossible to pass his home because they close off the entire street with oil
drum blockades and flashing lights. From 6:00pm to 6:00am it is untouchable
territory. There are clear signs saying the guards will shoot if necessary.
There is a story that a confused older couple a few years back found themselves
in the wrong place at the wrong time. Who would have guessed those old folks
were really terrorists. I haven't seen Jean Cretain's house (I can't even spell
his name), but I doubt that HIS guards shoot anything more harmful than pepper
spray.
6. The toilet paper in Africa is something else! I have to admit that I was
warned about it, and told to bring my own - for that one time I'm in a pinch. So
I brought myself a roll. This advice was mostly for the rural areas where TP is
hard to come by, but here I am with toilets that flush (mostly) in Harare and
still the toilet paper is unique. It's of a completely different texture and
never ever white. Pink and blue are the top colours among Harare toilet-goers.
I'll wait until I'm really homesick in a few months, then I'll break out my roll
and ration myself.
5. Steve Barkey. ( For all those who have been to Camp Kwasind, number 5 on a
top ten list is always Steve Barkey.)
5b. People are very friendly here. Everywhere you go, people greet you on the
street and in shops and on the bus. The Shona culture is considered very
friendly and accepting, and this really shows in public. Greetings are
absolutely imperative. For example, it would be rude to walk into a shop and
make a request without first saying the proper "good afternoon"
sequence - always ask how the person's day was, even though they are a stranger.
I have thankfully learned these little greeting
conversations (three different ones, depending on the time of day) in Shona, and
enjoy surprising people who expect me to only speak English. Some people laugh
at me. If I'm walking down a street I commonly find myself talking to the people
around me. Conversations go on for five minutes or so, or until we part ways.
It's really different from the guarded atmosphere in public places in Toronto.
People always ask where I'm from and then ask "How is Canada?" Perhaps
I could get some advice as to how I should answer this question: "I think
it's good." or "She's just fine, thank you." I don't really know
what they're looking for with "How is Canada?"
4. The commuter omnibus experience is great. These are little 12 person buses
that haul at least 16 people around in Harare. It's privately owned public
transportation. Once you get to know the routes, they're fantastic. They stop
anywhere - to let people on or off - and all charge a competitive rate of $14
per trip. The only bad thing is when it's rush hour, and they're really full,
they don't stop for you, so you have to find each one's loading point. I have
yet to find my bus' loading point, so I just walk until rush hour is over, then
one picks me up. Because I am staying right next to the University of Zimbabwe,
I am on a really well used route. I can get down town in 10 minutes at any time
of day! Of course I'm taking my life into my own hands every time I squeeze onto
a rickety old omnibus, but everyone else is doing it! (And there are some
fascinating people on those things. I am always the only white person, too.)
3. The answer to the question "Are you married?" is always, always,
"Yes".
2. There are incredible sculptures everywhere. People's markets are all along
the sides of the highways and in certain parks down town. No matter what part of
Zimbabwe you are in, the sculptures, wire toys and batik prints are always the
same. It's almost like one huge manufacturer distributes material to be sold all
over the county, by roadside vendors. It's amazing, too, because the shopper
always finds that he or she is talking directly with the artist, or the artist's
brother. And because of that you are guaranteed "a very good price, my
friend, very good." I think that the Shona are incredibly talented artistically.
Everyone can sculpt or make wicker furniture or batiks. Once one type of statue
sells well in a market (for example, the mother and child motif, or the even
more common hippo) they are immediately carved by a thousand different people
and sold all over the country. Really talented, but not that creative with
ideas. Or perhaps just not daring. People know that the commonly carved statues
are good sellers, so rarely does anyone do anything different. (This is not just
my observation, but a generally agreed upon consensus.)
1. Beverages. Perhaps not the best number one item on a top ten, but a very
important subject for everyone. (Who doesn't drink?) There are three things
about beverages in Zimbabwe: Bottled coke is far easier to find than bottled
water. The bottles are always glass, and although the country doesn't recycle
other things, Zimbabwe has the highest bottle return rate in the world. Usually,
the bottles aren't labeled, either. So you just pick a colour and hope it is the
same as the one you liked last time. And, although a pop costs $10 - $15, often
there is a deposit of $3. Maybe that's why there's a high return rate? The juice
is always concentrated. All the juice is the same: you pour an inch of juice
into your glass, then 5 inches of water. There is also something called Mazoe.
Its a type of really tasty juice that comes in different flavours. I would liken
it to a cross between fresh juice and pop without the fizz. Tea time! (A
tradition left over by the Colonials?) Every office you go into, every shop and
home, has a little tray with tea and mugs and sugar. At about 3:30 or 4:00 the
world stops for tea. It's quite nice, actually. Especially since I'm a tea
drinker, not a coffee drinker. Doesn't matter how affluent you are or what you
do for a living, everyone in Zimbabwe drinks tea. And they all have it with
milk. Only whites ask if you'd like milk - everyone else assumes it. Kids drink
tea at an early age.
So, my adventures here continue. I am really enjoying my work at the school down
town and have picked up a few other things here and there. I'll write more about
that next time. Also, in the next edition of Lianne's e-journal: "What's
all this business about rebels seizing land?" "Things are gearing up
for elections in April..."
and "Lianne's picture was in the Daily News - find out why!"
I figure I've got to keep my readers hooked. I'm rounding the
three-weeks-since-I-left mark, and I don't want people to forget about me.
Thanks for all the supportive emails and for being interested in what I'm doing
way over here in Zimbabwe. I am sustained by the knowledge that my friends at
home are thinking of me!! (It can get lonely here.) This verse has found it's
way into my heart lately, and has really been important for me to remember:
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in ALL circumstances,
for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thess. 5: 16-18
BACK TO THE TOP
MARCH 4th, 2000
Since I last emailed I have developed my little network quite a
bit! I told you all that I worked at City Presby school, and through the people
I met there, I have met a few more! Tonight I went to the graduation of the boys
that Annie has been working with for the past year. Her project is through the
Presby church also, and it is called the Kuadzana Art Project. She trains older
street kids (with talent) in Batik, wire and paper work. After a year of working
with the project and of being off the street, they are encouraged and supported
in making their way into the art market on their own. This is a slow process,
though and some of the guys gravitate back to their community on the street. She
is doing a really good job at supporting them, and I am totally impressed at her
dedication! She has been working at it for 4 years now, I think. So tonight I
also met a couple, Bill and Nancy, who are area directors for the Presbyterian
Church in Southern Africa. Nancy is a really good person to know, because she
knows about every project and program to help street youth and other
disadvantaged groups in Harare. Already she has given me the names and numbers
of a few people who are involved in AIDS work, in various ways! So, slowly, but
surely I am getting involved and meeting people.
I made another friend, Inge. (My first and second friends are
Bill and Marlane - researchers.) She was also working at City school, but is now
taking the next few months to travel. She's going to Malawi for a month - just
as I was starting to get to know her, she leaves! Its okay though, because
she'll be back in Harare, and we have made plans to travel in South Africa
together. The friend count is up to three, and hopefully growing! (If this is a
repeat of info, forget about it T, sorry!) Tomorrow I'll venture out as a
tourist and go to a Cheetah park - whatever that is. I guess its to see
cheetahs! I'm going with some medical students who are volunteering at Karanda
hospital, so It should be a nice sight seeing day.
Already I feel a part of the city. Today I went to the Ministry
of Education to get some information for Youth for Christ (the other org. I am
working with), and I felt kind of at home down town. I wandered around and went
into shops and really loved it - until it rained, anyway. It really comes out of
no-where. Blue skies, blue skies, blue sk-- Thunder and lightening for at least
half an hour. Then back to nice weather! Go figure! The Ministry of Education is
quite different from any government office I've ever seen in Toronto. We met
with a woman who is quite high up in rank - assistant to the secretary of ed. I
think - and she didn't have a
computer. I wonder if the minister himself has a computer. She said that they
were really struggling. All that work in the ministries - ie, education,
culture, sports - are a part of the Zanu PF party.
So, my adventure continues... I'm feeling much better about my
work situation now that I have become involved in a few things. On Monday, i am
going to a movie that was filmed in Zimbabwe, which should be interesting. I
think it's called "Susan's Basket", or something... let me know if you
see it in Canada. :) I doubt you will...
BACK TO THE TOP
MARCH 3rd, 2000
Hi Guys! Sending and receiving email has been a little tricky
the past few days - we cant get a connection. The morning is the best time, so I
hope this works.
Yesterday was a good day! I want to the school down town at City Presby and was
met by the director - Alice Chikomo. She is an older (tall) Zimbabwean with
bright blue hair! They really need help so I think I'll become a teacher there!
There is a Dutch woman who was volunteering for the past 6 weeks, Inge, but this
coming week is her last. I'll take over her grade two group of kids. If I didn't
come along, I don't know who would have taken over. The school is really in need
of funds for supplies and of trained teachers, also. It is a school for kids
living on the street, and
so there is a social worker who does interviews and tries to get kids reunited
with their families. If they aren't reunited there is also a farm run by the
Presbyterian Church that older kids go to learn skills and live. I'd like to
go see that too! So this is on Tuesday, through Thursday. I'm really exited that
finally I feel like I'll be able to help somewhere! As for Monday, Friday and Saturday
- I still don't know! There are a few other things I'm looking into. One thing I
really want to do is work with a
home based care program for people living with AIDS. I have heard of two in
Harare. One is in a really bad, high density neighbourhood called Epworth.
The other is run by Catholic nuns, I think!! The Epworth one is far away, but
Winnie, the woman I'm staying with, does work there on occasion, so she'll take
me the first time to check it out! Also the political situation is really
heating up, and Epworth is not the best place for a foreigner to be just before
elections! Patricia, the social worker at the school, said she'd introduce me to
the Catholic program.
The election will be in April, and things are slowly indicating
that it will be an interesting time! Zimbabweans don't usually talk about
politics, however already I have heard comments on the street and stories of
some disgruntled citizens! The fuel crisis isn't helping, and there are also
conflicts over land happening. After the war for independence, Zim went through
a time of reclaiming land from white commercial farmers. This land was supposed
to be given to black farmers. However, most of the land that was actually
re-settled was the bad, communal land farms (less fertile, rocky, etc.). The
good commercial land has yet to be parceled out to the poorer people. So people
who were promised land in the 80's are now reclaiming it on their own! Many of
these are people who fought in the army, so whole troops are taking over
people's property and kicking all the workers off the land! This re-settlement
issue will be a big topic in the upcoming election.
Yesterday I went with Inge and Patrick (another teacher) to a
township 20km east of Harare. We went to see an artist friend of Patrick's.
Beautiful sculptures! It was nice to get out of Harare. I saw those big
balancing rocks that Zim is famous for! Really incredible landscape. Inge and I
took the commuter omni-bus home - like private public transport, and had quite
an adventure! Although she is leaving the school next week, she is staying in
Africa until August, too! She is traveling through Malawi and various other
countries, but in July she has plans to go to South Africa! So, we have planned
to travel together! This is really good, because It's always
better to have a friend, and I think we'll do more because we'll be with each
other! One thing I already have planed is pony-trekking in Lesotho. You can
arrange 3 or 4 day treks into the mountains. So she is interested in that
too.
I'll keep updating my e-journal as best I can. I'm glad to be a
little more settled and am really happy living at the TerVeens. Thank you for
your prayers and support. I miss home a little, but the busier I am, the better
- and It helps soooo much to know that people are praying for me and thinking of
me.
I put in a good word for Canada everywhere I go (there isn't
anyone in Harare who still thinks I'm from that other place). Its funny how when
you miss a place, you like to talk about it!
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