Zimbabwe: Situation escalates, catholic nun reports

Sister Patricia Walsh is a member of the Dominican congregation in Harare, Zimbabwe. Day after day, the nuns try to provide every help and assistance they can in these for the people of Zimbabwe so difficult times. Every day they come up against their limits and are faced with terrible, tragic cases. Patricia Walsh's Christmas letter is very moving und shows just how urgently our aid is needed. Read for yourself:

Orphans prostitute themselves in the hope of getting a chunk of bread from the "rich man" for their younger siblings. The widow dies on the stairs of the hospital, because she cannot pay the admittance fee. A young mother dies, because she has a kidney failure and there is no renal dialysis machine for her, leaving behind a desperate husband with three children.

In 2007 we wrote that the people of the country have reached the ultimate point of hopelessness and desperation, we could not imagine that the situation could get any worse. In this year, we have had two elections so far, in March and June, and now – as we are writing this letter – we still have no government, because the parties are unable to come to an agreement on minister posts.

Hunger and starvation is now stalking the country – even those who have work go for days without food. The nurses in the hospitals are hungry, the teachers are starving and thousands of children are staying away from school to forage for food. There is no food in the stores apart from the up-market part of Harare, where only the very rich can obtain most goods with US-dollars.

Since we look to 2009 with hope, we pray that, despite everything, we can help these young people, who dare to dream of celebrating a different Christmas, and may we adults being touched and moved by the children's hope for the future.

May the blessings and the peace of Christmas and in the New Year be with you all.
With renewed thanks,
Patricia Walsh (sister)

Please help!

humedica has been supporting the work of the order in Harare via the Afrikahilfe Dillingen already for many years with aid shipments. Since a few weeks now we have also launched a project of our own: emergency medical aid for people in the region of Manikaland at the border to Mozambique.

Janika Simon from Hamburg, who is co-ordinating our aid in Mutare (Manikaland) has confirmed the dramatic situation in the country. She herself has, since two days, no longer any access to vitally needed drinking water. We will keep you informed about further developments. Please visit us again.

Our aid continues to be needed urgently. Please support our work in Zimbabwe with a specific donation.

humedica e.V.
reference "Zimbabwe"
account 47 47
BLZ 734 500 00
Sparkasse Kaufbeuren