Dear Dianne:
If we ever needed prayer it is now– people are coming to blows over wild fruit, because there is no other food available, and even though they sneak out at 4:00 a.m. to try to find it, more are there fighting over it. We are running very short of money to keep people alive, and we are continually bringing in emergencies. It has averaged two 160km trips every day so far this week, and some days last week it was 3 trips a day. One patient we had brought to the hospital was rejected for admittance and died as we were taking him home. The fuel is averaging a minimum of US$400. per drum, and 12 drums a month. As things are going now I think the number of drums will have to increase, as people are both sick and starving they die quicker!
We just went by the Grain Marketing Board where all grains are supposed to be brought and resold to whoever. The one here is supposed to be for all of this province which is a few million- but today there was not even one bag of food there! When we tried to buy in our area we weren’t allowed.
There is supposed to be a shipment of food coming from S. Africa- we are praying it gets thru without difficulty because it is very urgently needed.
I mentioned to Marc Fulmer the different things we are doing but I forgot entirely the feeding programs, and we need to start another one for I’m hearing around 300 malnourished under 5s. I don’t know how we are going to manage, but it will break my heart if we can’t, because I HATE to see little ones suffer and die.
This has already been an 18 hour work day so I’m staggering to bed, so more later. Thanks Dianne for being willing to help me so much.
I’ve lent my camera to another volunteer because she managed to “fry” hers, having it on charge too long or something, but I’ve asked her to do more pictures of the severely malnourished and some before and after pictures of those we’ve helped with food, meds, etc.
Looking forward to seeing you and meeting Marc as well.
To donate, go to www.active.com/donate/zimbabweappeal for the Agathos Foundation Emergency Fund Drive for medical supplies, food and farming supplies for Paula’s ministry.
