Reflections on Zimbabwe Pensioners Support Trip December 2014 By Santie Barrish and Joy Hogg We became aware of the projects of the Z.P.S.F. during 2013 and started assisting them with the packing of Christmas parcels. It was a privilege to join the trip during 2014 and see the completion of their operation. During the trip we experienced excitement, frustration , commitment, empathy and respect during our encounters with different people. The necessity for Z.P.S.F. to continue with their 0peration was proven time and again. The isolation and desperation of the pensioners in the rural areas touched our hearts as this seems to be the only love and care they receive. A network of supporters is established throughout Zimbabwe and they work towards the same goal with enthusiasm, love and commitment. We were warmly welcomed and hosted by many amazing people and even experienced what our future life in an Old Age Home would be like! Angela, her hubby and her sisters are VERY efficient and together with her team and the drivers, that is Attie and Daniel, they worked from 20:00 to well after midnight to add items to the boxes and re pack the trucks for the trip. We can still see Daniel and some workers sweating as they unloaded everything out of both trucks. Each box was individually marked for each pensioner/family/Home. Attie, Daniel and Joe experienced unbelievable frustration when they were delayed at the border. Attie’s driving experience and excellent skill were put to the test when he drove with a faulty clutch from Mutare to Harare, crossing over “Christmas Pass” and for the rest of the journey…and he did well and came out with flying colours. On the first night of our stay at Stickland Retirement Home in Mutari, we enjoyed the fellowship of two ladies on night duty who went to great trouble to make us coffee. Then after Joy, flooded the bathroom floor due to a faulty shower, they kindly mopped up her mess! The hard work put into the administration and implementation came into fruition when the parcels were delivered. The eager and grateful pensioners really appreciated the interaction with the delivery team. We were impressed that the team members know each individual and this gives the pensioners value , self worth and dignity. We really appreciate the opportunity afforded us to go on this trip. Liz guided and cared for us with love and patience, even when we got lost, and couldn’t find Attie, because we had to take photos of the unusual of what the local people do to earn a living! Liz’s driving skills are amazing: she crossed chaotic intersections; followed our guide GPS, called “Miss Daisy” in extremely heavy Harare traffic, where taxis drive on the wrong side of the road; and when driving over a “middle mannetjie” .We had a good laugh when the “Miss Daisy got lost and took us into the back streets of a dodgy part of Mutare! At this stage the “Miss Daisy” was speechless was speechless. It will be valuable if the logistic problems are sorted out beforehand so that the programme can be implemented as planned. Then there will be extra time to spend with the pensioners and team members may provide more spiritual and emotional support, which many of them crave. A project like this will continue to be blessed if everyone works together for the praise-worthy goal of Z.P.S.F. zpsf.co.za
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 08:25:11 +0000