JustGiving Appeal to Support Hungry Children in Zimbabwe

Thanks to the wonderful work from the people at Zane - Zimbabwe a National Emergency we are now able to roll out a programme to help support the children of Matabeleland, victims of the current drought and hunger plaguing the country. 

Please help us to help the children through The Nutrition Bus , HocicZimbabwe and Zane.

Please help us to help these children, your donation no matter how small will go a long way. It is just an easy click away. Please share with all you know. 

The campaign is now live and launched, just click on this link to find the Nutrition Bus fund raiser on JustGiving 

Thanks to you all.

WHY e’Pap MAKES ME SMILE

Usually I don’t tend to walk in customers, but today I had to as I was on my own in the shop.  A gentle, unassuming man in security guard uniform stood outside the gate peering in, but seemed too shy to enter.  I welcomed him into the shop.  He was there to find out how much e’Pap costs.  He was 50c short for a packet so I started to dig, in my normal fashion. 

His 5 year old daughter needs surgery, but because she is underweight cannot have it.  He was told at his local clinic that e’Pap would help her to gain healthy weight. 

As always my curiosity got the best of me and I had to know exactly what kind of surgery she needs.  She has a cleft palate.  A cruel, but eminently fixable condition.

The world works in strange ways… through my work at KingGeorge VI Centre for children living with disabilities, I was recently sent information about an incredible team from the United States, “Operation of Hope” who provide “life-changingsurgical care, healthcare & medical training programs in under-served areasof the world through international collaboration among medical &non-medical volunteers”.  They are coming in May to screen and schedule cleft palate surgeries, right here in Bulawayo.

This unassuming father was amazed at the news and a little embarrassed at his emotional response.  We immediately emailed the organisation and within a couple of hours had an answer, she is going to be screened at Mpilo hospital to assess her condition and hopefully be eligible to get the amazing help offered by these phenomenal doctors from very far away.

Now we have to get her weight up to help her cope with the trauma of surgery. 

Watch this space as her story unfolds.

I have been pretty grumpy with my staff away, but thank goodness for my daughter who has stepped in to help.  But if they weren’t away, I would never have heard this story and been able to give this poor man some good news for once.

And please don’t worry, she will be getting all the e’Pap she needs to get her strong and healthy!