Zimbabwe: Message of hope

A child waits in front of an improvised kitchen on the side of the road outside Mvurwi village, about 81 miles west of Harare - May 2008 [REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo, courtesy www.alertnet.org]

CAFOD Salford and Birmingham diocesan officers Anne-Marie Coppock and Abigail McMillan have returned from a fact-finding mission to Zimbabwe with a message of hope

However, they warn the desperate poverty they saw in Zimbabwe is a long way from ending and are determined, together with our supporters, to help ease their plight.

Abigail manages our work in West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Staffordshire. Anne-Marie manages the Salford diocesan office, which covers the Lancashire and Greater Manchester areas, encouraging Catholic parishes and schools to support our work through fundraising and campaigning.

One of the few

We are one of the few aid agencies that can reach the most vulnerable people in Zimbabwe through its partners in the Catholic Church network.

Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, was in the UK recently as part of a tour that took in the US and Europe, seeking to persuade Barack Obama, Gordon Brown and other heads of state that this tormented nation is now on an upward trajectory.

Abigail, who has written blogs from her trip , said: “The reality in Zimbabwe is bleak. The time of empty supermarkets and wheelbarrows full of Zimbabwe dollars worth only a few pence is over for now but this doesn’t mean Zimbabwe can feed itself.

"Only an hour out of the capital Harare and people are barely surviving. Seven million people are struggling to feed themselves.

"Hospitals and schools are barely functioning with few if any basic drugs such as aspirin and antibiotics, equipment or school books.

"I went to Zimbabwe on holiday twelve years ago and the difference I saw this time was shocking. This beautiful country is ravaged.

"But what hadn’t changed was the spirit of the people and their sheer determination to make something of their lives."

Anne-Marie said: “Despite all the suffering, the people’s talk of hope for change is catching. The resilience of the people against all the odds is overwhelming.

"Having sensed this hope and seen for myself the hardship, but also how a little support goes a long way, I do believe people’s lives can be changed and that we, as ordinary people in the UK, can make a difference and now is the time."

In 2007, when Zimbabwe hit crisis point, people throughout the two dioceses generously gave nearly £400,000 towards the overall £2 million donated to our Zimbabwe emergency appeal.

The money was spent providing thousands of families with emergency food parcels, seeds for vegetables plots, and health care. This money has now run out and more funds are desperately needed to continue this vital work.

Anne-Marie added:”I met so many families and vulnerable communities who have benefitted from previous CAFOD funding I saw for myself how this money is reaching those most in need.

"Our partner Caritas Zimbabwe is not simply giving out food, but involving whole communities in projects so they feel they are in control of their own destinies.

"We must do something now and we can do something now to support these inspirational people in their bid for a better life."

Anne-Marie and Abigail will be organising talks and fundraising events for Zimbabwe in their dioceses.

For further information please contact: Abigail McMillan on 01922 722 944 or 07779 804 250, Anne-Marie Coppock on 0161705 0605 or 07785 381 096, or Debbie Wainwright on 0207 095 5557 or 07785 950 378

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