hi..my last posting before Tanzania tomorrow....reflections of Zimbabwe, but first, many have written: how to help? what can we do directly from Canada...?
HERB AND VEGETABLE SEED DRIVE: MUNARWO and ORPAH MAGADZIRE..two immensely open, outgoing, friendly people, both widowed 5 years ago to Aids- found each other, both HIV positive, he with tuburculosis on ARV treatment, making a big difference in high density community of Kambuzuma...they've come out re their status,energetically, emphatically facilitating workshops on HIV education, prevention, Home Care, Perma Culture - importance and healing qualities of herbs, good diet,the drugs don't work without nutritional diet - sharing personal health experience, side effects, home care needs with others ashamed or afraid to reveal status - hence not getting support, antiretroviral drugs, help from community.
They've started a big community garden, growing 36 different kinds of herbs and vegetables; ..drying, making ointments, cremes, GIVING food to those in need, educating and SELLING their produce - proceeds going to ORPHANED CHILDREN supplying school books, fees, pencils, uniforms, shoes...these two dedicating their lives for others -I am in awe. Orpah bursts into song at my workshop...strong, praising God, thanking for the things they have, the love and care for each other, the joy...it is loud, fun, delightful, bursting into dance; contageous.
WHAT CAN YOU DO? PLEASE!! send packets of herb and vegetable seeds to continue the success of this project, to: Munarwo and Orpah Magadzire, 327 Section 2, Tsanga Road, Kambuzuma, Harare, Zimbabwe...If anyone would like to email them:
indigem36@fastermail.com. They will keep photos and records of donated seeds and contact us regularily...GREAT IMPORTANT IDEAL, and we CAN make a difference..

oh Zimbabwe...I fly out tomorrow morning at 11am..all the way up to Nairobi and back down to Tanzania, 9 hours in total for a short distance, such is the way in Africa...Sad to be leaving so quickly..realizing how much i am going to miss so many friends: how much i want to return...Mary Meza my project coordinator..who has unfailingly shown me the way, routes and buses, facilitation, food, customs people - surprising her this afternoon with a peanut butter making machine, a project she can only dream of to supplement her income, with ever horrible rising inflation - Chipa smiling, huge, dancing, lost three sisters to AIDS; Cathrine who makes cloth bags and sells potatoes at Mufakose Saturday market - enough to purchase last year a sewing machine to grow further; Paddington - actor, film maker, satellite installer, handsome, witty, teasing: with a wife,4 kids, two parents, uncle, neices and nephews all "scratching his back" all needing support...magical stone carver Tawanda introducing me into a world of Bushman caves and villages and traditional ceremonies, spirit mediums, mbira (see pic, Rasta musicians, batik making - visiting for the last time baby twins: Leo and Leon..more milk, getting stronger everyday - Collettah district coordinator, huge, warm, heart - relentless and determined to save those babies...the family I've stayed with who house and feed me..last night at the Zimbabwe college of music, in a tiny room bursting with awesome vocalist Tauerai Nzira and his outstanding gospel band, in rehearsal - stunning, simply blown away, with brother Frank, himself an outstanding musician.
Could I bring them to Canada in June?...
Zimbabwe, with its purple, pink, coral blossoms, stunning sunsets, wide avenues, squishing buses, music, dancing, joy,warm, generous people: the REMEMBERING WALL at my workshop, 19 people recording 97 names of those they've loved - framed in colourful paintings, first time artists proud, empowered, determined to keep painting...
Zimbabwe: recently bread basket of Africa: massive inflation, fuel, electrical, water shortages, brain drain, depleted drugs and medical supplies, corruption, impossible to understand like a wanky mirror in the circus grounds, hugely proud, resilient, determined to survive,to ride it out....
and SAFE, yes safe..in every respect...unlike what we read in western press: political false warnings to keep tourists (money) out; UNSAFE they scream: it simply is not true. Everyone who visits here knows it. I have gone everywhere, done everything; as i would at home..watching carefully as I would at home. Period. Illegal sanction; read Cuba. More about that later...
Moving on..
Tanzania.. another land, another world...this time to Handeni, a small village hotter, humid, buzzing with mosquitos....malaria, first pill this morning...Masai people..tall, beautiful, beaded carring spears.. mud huts with few windows.. the internet cafe across town, a bit of a walk..often not operational...just to let you know..may take some time communicating, it will kill me.
I'm off...be well..
PLEASE SEND THE SEEDS!! hugs...me