Monday, June 8, 2009

Under the Same Sky

















































































Meet David and Gift and Sibhekinkosi and Wadzanai, Sibanda and Maxwell and Efrahim and Mr. Chawora, everyone. And oh, don't forget the children, they want to meet you too! There is something they wanted to say and I listened and then I made a promise to do what they asked. It was simply this, to deliver a message to the world that said :

Zimbabwe is a safe place to come. And they are peace loving people. And they were happy we were there.

We were welcomed in Victoria Falls and Hwange, in Mabale rural area at an Ndebele home, to a small fishing village in Matusadona on Lake Kariba, and finally at Mana Pools, on the Zambezi River. We found out that sometimes we were the only ones staying at a lodge or camp. Sometimes the workers were sent home if no guests were expected, so that meant no pay and no lunch or dinner while at work. Sometimes this would continue for weeks.

One morning I woke before everyone and went for a cup of coffee, planning on catching up in my journal. I spent the time instead with a lovely young mother, one of the staff. She stood watching me write, so I put down my book and invited her over instead. It was so easy to talk with her. She had questions, she wondered why we weren't afraid to come here. She told me how during the worst of times people were starving and sometimes only had fireplace ash mixed with water to eat. Or, she described how poisonous fruit was boiled for 2 days and on the third day it was suitable to eat. The money that was being turned out in higher and higher notes was being burned for fuel. I found 50 Billion dollars in a firepit. This safari lodge we were at had 100 rooms, for one night we were the only ones there.

But she was not complaining. If anything, all we heard was how things were getting better. Since almost ten years ago when President Robert Mugabe told war veterans to invade white-owned farms, virtually destroying agriculture and the economy, ultimately taking down health care and education, the entire country. The people suffered. Last September Mugabe was forced to agree to share power with the opposition. Oh, we learned a new toast at one camp, "Death to Tyrants". Yes, cheers to that.

I want to tell everyone what I saw and heard from these people. They didn't complain or ask for anything. Only that it be known that Zimbabwe is a good place and that they were all concerned that the world viewed it differently. They all felt that things were getting better and we were even proudly shown one small shop in a village, with hardly twenty items for sale, but look! now there is hope.

If you look closely at the photos above you will see two people writing in my journal. I asked if there was anything I could give that would be helpful to their village. I wished I really did have fiftybilliondollars. Do you know what they asked for? One requested pens and the other was hoping for a dictionary because he said, it's good to read.

They both asked for the photos that I took of their families.

I'm about to find out how much postage is to Zimbabwe.

43 comments:

  1. I got goosebumps, tears in my eyes and sadly a chill down my spine.

    I firmly believe Zimbabwe will make a come-back. It will not be restored to its 'former glory' but will take up a new strong position in Africa.

    I hope this is sooner rather than later, but we all live in hope.

    Zimbabwe is DEFINITELY on my BIG ADVENTURE itinerary.

    Thanks for sharing
    x

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  2. Beautiful people, Zimbabwe has a special place in my heart, has done so for many years now.
    Thank you for introducing us to your friends Lori! Love them, love YOU :)
    Gorgeous photos too btw.
    xxm

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  3. Beautiful photos, and thanks for sending out the message from those who are not usually even heard from. They are lovely people and deserve a better life.. we live in hope, as Janet says! x

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  4. Lori, thanks for bringing us that hopeful message from the beautiful people of Zimbabwe. I can't think of anyone else that I know who would be a better ambassador of friendship and love than you.

    xx Aden

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  5. Aden could not have said it any better . Yes indeed, Lori.xx♥

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  6. I`m sitting here in tears, Lori. Yes, fiftybilliondollars would be wonderful, but Euros!! I think if we could invade Mugabe`s Swiss bank accounts, we`d come close!
    But right, no sense in looking back or regret what happened. If you would give me a P.O. address, could I send a package with pencils etc?
    By the way, the middle one of the three elderly ladies looked a bit like my grandmotther Marie. Maybe we are related?

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  7. How wonderful and what gorgeous, gorgeous photos.

    I read your last post too. Are you sure about this, you look about 20!!!!

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  8. What a beautiful post. Fantastic images and of course all the radiant goodness of your heart, Lori, is here in abundance.

    When I was in India, what the kids asked for was pens. I gave away hundreds of them (because someone told me to take many boxes with me).

    Such a simple thing, for us anyway. Wow. Thank you!

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  9. I have always had a special place in my heart for Africa since my daughter Mackenzie was serving in Tanzania for 3 months with the children. Africa is on my "bucket list" and especially Zimbabwe! You did a good thing Lori..bringing this message to us.
    Peace and God Bless the "Watoto".
    Brooke

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  10. Oh, this so touching, Lori. Looking forward to more and more. We are hungry for information we can trust.

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  11. great post lori...malheuresusement this is africa all round...corrupt and abusive governments..and its always the people that suffer...its a hard choice....any money that comes in, these governments steal it...nothing changes ever for anyone at grass roots level..believe me...it will take generations for this country to recover...and i still have my doubts...BUT how LOVELY that you met the people who count...! XXX j

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  12. Zim is such a beautiful place, isn't it? I had such a brilliant time when I was there a few years ago, and since then it holds a very dear spot in my heart.
    Glad to see you had a beautiful time. Thanks for sharing.

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  13. Like Janet I had goosebumps reading this.
    It is wonderful to read your account. To realise that not all the country is in the turmoil that we hear about.
    Count me in if you want help providing pens and paper any time. I'm more than happy to help this shrinking world.
    xx

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  14. Lori,
    see? You do it every time. You move us to tears and emotions surge from your simple words and your powerful images. Those children... Mana Pools...

    Zimbabwe, as you know, holds a spacial place in my heart. I was there 11 years ago, at the beginning of a new life for me. I have kept the thought of it safely tucked away, because recalling Zim makes me want to chase my dreams and go there tomorrow. This beautiful post has unleashed my fluttering heart, and brought me back to my first encounter with Africa. Its trees...the sky...

    Thank you for your beautiful post. And Aden is right, ambassador Lori. The lovely portrait you painted of the people of Zimbabwe conveys the force of their message. Can I send some materials too?

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  15. amazing images. I almost could picture it ...

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  16. Lori Ann people are beautiful all of the world and families are loving all of the world. And there are lovely people like you who care and love others all over the world.

    Love Renee xoxo

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  17. After reading this post I am feeling really really grateful for everything I have in my life.And want to thank God for that.When you read of all the hardships they had to face our troubles suddenly feel so insignificant!!

    Great post!

    ♥ Chaitra

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  18. I know a man from Zimbabwe and you can read his adventure to at
    http://www.propheticrevelation.net/photoreport/j_g_trips/jvtrip2009.htm

    He is James Mitchell Veremu, from Zeke, Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe. His testimony is posted under testimonies at www.propheticrevelation.com too.

    enjoy reading and learning about you too Lori. thanks for your blog.

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  19. Reading is no substitute for action. And love is the gift we can give every day. Thanks for love and thanks for mothers and children all over this world.Thanks Lori for these pictures too.

    Testimony of
    James Mitchell Veremu
    (Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe)


    My name is James Mitchell Veremu. I was born on 31st October, 1955, the fifth of seven children of four boys and three girls in a family. I read my schooling in an Anglican Church school of an Anglican mission that was near our home. I started schooling in the year 1962. Being an Anglican Church school, I had to be baptized into the Anglican Church and take the tenets of the Anglican Church. So, I was baptized and confirmed, and I was partaking of, what they called, the sacrament of the Lord's body. I was in this mission school for 8 years, from the year 1962 till 1969. Then I had to go for secondary education. I left this school and went to a secondary school. That was in 1970.

    It was during the year 1970 that I first came into contact with the people who were preaching in a different way than the one I was used to hearing in the local Anglican Church. This people were the 'Gideons', who came to our school to have a half-hour session once every week. As the leader was teaching the scriptures, I got to find out that I was not baptized right because I was sprinkled by water. I needed to be baptized by immersion. So I asked the man how I could be baptized. He told me to go to a certain place where he sent certain people who could help me and baptize me. But I was not able to go. So the thing was sort of passed by and that was the end of it.

    Then in the year 1972, when I was at a friend's house, a Pentecostal preacher from the Assembly of God came to pray for the mother who was sick. But this preacher could not just come and pray for the sick mother; he said he had to preach the Word. I remembered him preaching from the Book of Acts about Philip going down to Samaria to preach the gospel and also about Simon the sorcerer. This was my first time to hear a Pentecostal preacher, and you know, I just fell in love with his preaching. Something just touched my heart. From that time he would always come back to have meeting at that house and to pray for the sick mother. Because I was interested, I kept on attending.

    We said, "Let's go on and take what the Message teaches."

    jamesveremu@yahoo.com
    (with permission from www.propheticrevelation.net)

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  20. Love and friendship are the same colour all around the world.

    thank you again Lori for all that you share.

    best wishes
    Ribbon

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  21. Lori,

    One of the most amazing things that struck me were the smiles that were literally painted on the faces of the children. I don't know, these images and your descriptions of what you were a part of just touched my heart. What can we do?

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  22. God bless them. And God bless you too, Lori, for going there and bringing their words to us.

    Some of my new friends here in this little university town have family in Zim still, and many of the students are current or ex Zimbabweans. Less than previously, due to all the trouble, but there are still some here. The campus has a large group of people who do a 24 hour total fast one day each week in solidarity with Zim.

    We are all praying that the new government manages to achieve a miracle. And, I know it's probably terrible of me, but I hope Mr Mugabe pops off (in his sleep if necessary) sooner rather than later. It's as if he is a malign magician holding that beautiful country under an evil spell.

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  23. thank you for my reality check!

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  24. One of my favorite musicians, Thomas Mapfumo, is from Zimbabwe! I am glad to hear that the people you met expressed their hope and thank you so much for sharing that experience! I wish that someday I will be able to see musicians like Mapfumo perform in their own countries...
    Thank you again for the beautiful pictures.

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  25. Dear Janet,
    The best thing we can do is to go there. Everyone said the same thing. Tell all your friends was what I heard.I love that it's on your list.

    I loved to read your thoughts, I HAVE to live in hope too.xx
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    Dear Michelle,
    Thank you sweetheart. I'd love to know about your connection with Zimbabwe.xx
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    Dear Karen,
    Thank you, yes yes and yes. They were so anxious to be heard. All I could think about was my blog. I can spread the word here!xx
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    Dear Aden,
    That is one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me. I'll try for the rest of my life to be just that. Thank you so very much.xx
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    Dear Natsy,
    ;)thank you darling.xxx
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    Dear Geli,

    I think your right, didn't we all come from mother Africa?...i'll send you a mail and we can talk.XXX

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    Dear Joanne,
    Haha! if you could only see the silver in my hair :) thank you for saying such nice words about my photos,it's so difficult to choose which ones to post, I've got a couple thousand!xx

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    Dear Reya,
    Thanks!! that is such a compliment coming from you, photographer extrodinaire, really!
    We did bring some pens, but those were quickly gone to another village...it was hard to bring too much with weight restrictions. As you know, you want to brings tons.xx

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    Dear Brooke,
    I hope you get to go soon, I'm sure you would love it. Thank you for your very kind words.xx

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    Dear Rosaria,
    Thank you for that huge vote of confidence. I appreciate your words very much.xx

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    Dear Janelli,
    You are right. And you would know. But, when you can't do anything about the big picture, you do what you can. With your own small patch of earth and sun and sky. And pens. God the world is so beautiful and so f*****d up. But you've GOT to have hope.XXX

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    Dear Snarky A.,
    Thank you for sharing. Yes, Zimbabwe is a place I can't wait to return to.x

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    Dear Mandy,
    Then it's working! I'm so glad, maybe it'll go on your bucket list too? i'll mail you...XXX

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  26. Darling golden Lori - now it is my turn to cry. I lived in Zimbabwe for a year while my Papa worked as a consultant there. I was very little, but I remember it so well. I remember my pony, Misty, and riding with my Papa and sister early in the morning while it was still cool - once, after a long ride, we came back late and there were snakes hanging in the tree by the stable yard...so exciting and scary at the same time! Most of all though, I remember the people, their smiles...and our ayah Susie who was warm and round and who taught us songs and danced with us.

    Lori, you are right. Please, everyone, go to Zimbabwe - you will be astonished by its beauty and the beauty of its people.

    I've been sitting here happily lost in your world and sharing your trip vicariously. I've delighted in the photos of the Ark children - how beautiful and happy they look in your lovingly knitted beanies. How lovely to see you with Karen and Val, to watch the little clip of that toto giving you a Botswana Head Massage. Your wonderful journal, its pages filled with your impressions of Africa, your photos and paintings....I tried so hard to read the pages! Please, as someone suggested, please publish it...maybe on Lulu?

    And then...your littlest one! All grown up and stunningly beautiful (like her Mama, hey?)

    Welcome back Lori, and thank you so very much for taking me with you. xxoo

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  27. No people should see their country come to this pass. No citizens deserve this.

    Hopefully Zimbabwe has turned the corner, and with a wonderful people to call its own there'll be hope again.

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  28. Dear Lola,

    Someday we'll sit and you'll tell me all about your time in Zim and we can reminisce together, ok? and dream about this place we both love so...XXX
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    Dear Lifestudent,
    Thank you, I appreciate your compliment so much! it's hard to choose, I have so many photos!xx
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    Dear Renee,
    Everything you said is true. Love to you.xxx
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    Dear Chaitra,
    Being grateful is always a good thing, but no ones troubles are at all insignificant. Thank you for the sweet comment ☺
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    Dear Its Me, Thank you for your heartfelt comments, I appreciate all your words and your visit here and your introducing me to Mr.Veremu. I'll have to go have a look at his website.Take good care.
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    Dear Ribbon,
    that is the truth, beautifully put. It's why I love to travel so much, makes the world a friendier place.Thank you dear.xxx
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    Dear Bogey,
    Go. It will change your life. If pictures can move us, you can imagine what standing in front of these smiles is like...☺
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    Dear Jeannie,
    Ah thanks dear. That is the way I think too, the country is under a spell, and no, don't feel bad about those Mugabe thoughts. You are not alone. I wish we could organize a world wide 24 hour fast, how awesome are those students?xxx
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    Dear Bodaat,
    thanks for reading!but it's only one, your reality is still planning your wedding, great! i'm sure the mamas would love to know that...xx
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    Dear Tulsa,
    I hope you get to do that too! what a great experiance that would be.Thank you for the kind words and for telling me about Thomas Mapfumo,I'll have to check him out.xx
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    Dear Tessa,
    Whoa, i want to put your comment up there instead of my words, you are so eloquent and lovely. I loved your memories (write a book)and stories from your childhood (a memoir)☺ yes.
    Thank you also for all the kindness you always show me, even now when you are newly returned from your own incredible journey and I don't know where to begin on your GENEROSITY towards Dr. Maithri and Swaziland. Your an angel. Much Love.
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    ♥ Braja,
    Quite ♥ that's why for me, more pictures, less words...
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    Dear Anil P.
    You said Hope twice. I like that.You are right.
    Thank you.

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  29. It's one of life's greatest truths that those who have the least are happy to give the most.

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  30. Zimbabweans are amongst the warmest, friendliest and most accepting people I've ever had the fortune to meet. I am so glad you were able to experience their warmth and optimism, despite all they've experienced.
    xxx

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  31. I envy you. Doing what i wish I could. Keep up the good work.

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  32. hi lori - i just came back so am trying to catch up....awesome photos here - those smiles amid the hardships x well done for giving them a voice here. Zimbabwe is a fine country and we have to live in hope even though sometimes its a challenge!!
    xx

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  33. Big XXX and wee ooo for you dear Lori Ann.

    Love Renee xoxo

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  34. great picture. I like to see. nice travel sharing. I have a blog about travel also. If you don't mind visit my blog also, we can share information here.thanks

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  35. I am entranced by the beautiful faces and bright smiles of the children ........

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  36. I'm new to your blog (over from POTD), and WOW, thanks for posting this.

    Great pictures, and it just goes to show how wrong your view of something can be as an outsider looking in.

    "One requested pens and the other was hoping for a dictionary because he said, it's good to read." Really touched me. Not greed, but need.

    Off to explore your blog and find out more about why you were there ;-)

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  37. What a beautiful and moving post. I plan to come back and see those wonderful photo's and reread the story yet again when I have more time! Congrats on POTD.

    Craig Glenn
    http://craigsobservations.blogspot.com

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  38. Stunning photographs. The time you spent there must have been rich indeed. And, as evidenced by all of those smiling faces, I'd say you enriched the time of a few others.

    They'll be smiling again when they open the package of photos.

    I came over from David's. This has been a treat.

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  39. I'm so glad David shared your post. The people of Africa are so simply wonderful. I've had the pleasure to know several.

    Thank you fro sharing their message and their smiles.

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  40. Hi David,yes you are right.And thank you for the potd honor, I really appreciate it,Wow.
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    Dear Nicky, me too. Get better dear.
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    s9uazs, Thank you for coming by and for the kind words.
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    Dear Val, welcome back! missed you. It's true heh, what is there without hope...oh and thanks so much!
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    Dear Renee, haha! same to you times 10.
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    EasyTravel, thank you so much for the kind words, i'll come check it out.
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    Dear Helen, I feel the same way. I can't stop looking at them...it was fun that they wanted their photo taken!
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    Hi Chapati, mostly just a love for africa! thank you so much for the kind words and for coming by.
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    Craig Glenn, I am so glad you liked it, your words are so kind. You are welcome anytime.
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    San, thank you for coming by, and thank you for all your kindness. I have a first package almost all ready to send...
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    Grace, thank you for coming by, I appreciate your taking the time. You are most welcome, and it is my pleasure.

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  41. What a heart warming post. Congrats on your post of the day nomination from David at authorblog.

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  42. What an outstanding post. I saw this debate about whether aid to Africa is effective. Some think it's best to cut aid so that governments in Africa would be responsible to provide jobs for their people. It's a difficult debate, and I'm curious if during what your impressions are about aid. Do they need aid there? Or can the Zimbabwe government find jobs for their own people.

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xoxo lori