February 6, 2005
Hello to you all from Zimland
You may see this twice. I typed it up yesterday and tried to send it but it
never showed as sent so am trying again.
Cold morning here. windy and warm at all but suspect it will get hot by
midmorning. My lodge has one permanent customer. I am not up and running as
yet as a few renos to be done out at the bar. Mainly toilets and basins
installed and water connected. Going to retile both bathrooms as well as
tiles in bad shape. My present customer is here for 3 months guaranteed
until I am up and running and then will decide if they stay as daily rental
is more lucrative than monthly.
Count your blessings when dealing with government. Here it is frustrating.
Went to renew my Visitors Visa which expires on Feb 09. Can not do except
on the exact date!!! Want to renew your passport. Would never send in mail
as you would never see it again. So got to drive to Harare, round trip of
1000km and then wait at least 3 months. Need a death certificate - got to
drive to place where person died and apply in person. Could be 100's of km
and then who knows how or when you will get it.
My fellow Rotarian from Nanaimo, Bill Robinson, who was here on a Matching
Grant from rotary for the month of January orchestrated a wonderful project
at one school here about 20km out of town. Fully stocked a science lab,
brought 15 laptop computers and set up a computer lab. Purchased a freezer
and "freezing pop" machine for the Interact student club so they can sell
cold freezie pops and other items and set up a year long feeding program for
15 aids orphans who have lost both parents. We went out for a "turnover"
ceremony with local Rotarians and took the press from the local major
newspaper. I took digital pictures. We just heard on Friday that the editor
of the paper has refused to run the story. I am going there today to find
out why (even though I know the answer) The elections have been called for
March 31st. The newspaper is controlled by the governing party. The CID
(secret police) were at the turnover ceremony and probably see Rotary as a
threat to their chances of winning the seat in that area as locals will see
us as "the good guys". Can you imagine a government that is that paranoid
about the good work of Rotary to ban such a publication?
Things are quiet here as we gear up for the election. At first the
opposition party was going to boycott the election but now they state they
will run candidates. Hope it runs smoothly with fair voting at the polling
booths.
I am very involved in the organization of a gala event for Feb. 23 to
commemorate 100 years of Rotary. We are having a 4 club event. Big dinner
at my club, Walkers, downtown. Have planned for 120 Rotarians and spouses
which will be the biggest challenge our kitchen has ever had to feed them
all properly. Menu is set and my chef is excited. Will mean extra staff to
handle it. Should be a great event.
Got to run
Love, Doug