February 27, 2004

Hello to all

You probably think I am dead by now. Sorry for the long delay. Combination of computer problems and out of town. My modem fried while I was away. Tendai forgot to unplug it and lightning got it. No modems available so finally had to buy an external one. Then my program would no access e-mail. Had to install a new program. Everything here takes days and days. I have been busy.

Two main projects. One at Silozwe where we are building a cistern for the villagers thanks to the kind donation from the Comox Rotary Club. It will be huge and up a hill so we can gravity feed down to the villagers' homes. We hook up to the existing water system from the school where we put water a couple years ago and then built a cistern for them last year. So they have shown me they know how. All the cement, piping, valves, etc have been delivered to the school and they start work next week.

For those of you who gave me money for school fees. This has also been delivered

( early Feb.) and this school is so joyous of these contributions. Since we started helping with the fees the enrollment at the school has gone from 97 up to 351. So we are touching a lot of lives.

The other project, thanks to the Duncan and Nanaimo clubs who gave $2500.00

has seen the completion of one well (this week) and the building of a 2" pipeline from another well, 800 meters to an existing dugout that is always dry so we can fill it and have water for villagers and livestock. These people are in the Thshlotsho area, about 280km north of here. Call the "San" people and truly in need. Virtually forgotten by everyone up there, starving at times. Without Rotary and a few church groups and the local guide/outfitters I do not know how they would survive. We return on March 11 for 3 days with them. Taking reporters and photographers from

5 major papers in Zimbabwe and one government minister to show them what is

happening.

My life in town varies day to day. Most mornings spent doing business and afternoons at my club visiting with "the boys" and playing dice. Evenings at home watching TV, videos, listing to CD's or reading my book. The new lodge business has not started up yet. My partner is still finishing off the buildings and making plans for moving to

S. Africa. If it does not get going soon I am going to fly up to the UK and see my daughter, Jennifer and meet some other friends I know from Zimbabwe. Probably go up there around March 15-18. A friend is prepared to buy my ticket which is on sale with Air Zimbabwe until the end of March - about half of flying other airlines.

The cost of living here has gone through the roof (please send money!!!!) A

loaf of bread which was $60Zim is now $2500Zim. Gasoline that was $70Zim is

now $2900Zim. A coke that was $300 is now $1500 I used to go shoppiing for a weeks groceries and spend about $35,000. Now it is $400,000 or more. The US dollar has gone up and down but not as much as inflation.

The good news it is going up again. I changed some at 3500-1 a few weeks ago and was offered 4500 a couple days ago. I have money invested here with a leasing company owned by a major bank and back in December the interest on it rose from 100% to 650% per annum. Can you believe it. But now it has dropped and I am getting 40-45%. Still pretty good compared to Canada and the US.

I miss you all. Sure enjoy getting letters from you giving me the news of your families and what is goiing on over there. Thanks.

Love, Doug

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