It has been far to long since I last wrote. Frank now has Chemotherapy, Radiation and two major operations behind him and making plans to travel to Zimbabwe in May.
Non of us know what tomorrow will bring - we are planning into the future and rest in God's hands.
As you will read in this months newsletter we have 3 events in the making.
Friday 4th "Moivie Night" A documentary on Zimbabwes forgotten Children
March 12th A fundraising dinner. May 13th Huge Garage sale. Please go to newsletter on main page to see what it is all about.
Susan and Frank will be heading off to Zimbabwe in
March and May respectively. It will be a three month
Mission trip. Susan will be traveling with Cerelena Gurat
for the first month –both will be working directly with
orphans and widows, teaching the children with the
use of puppets and working on small business projects
with the women. Frank and Susan will then be working
directly with the programs we support. Frank will be
teaching woodworking and bee keeping whilst Susan
will continue to teach and work on projects with the
widows and children. We will also be teaching
business management and accountability to donors as
well as being involved with 1000 other things. Setting
up feeding programs, building a church/school visiting
the sick and elderly looking at future programs.
We will also be inspecting programs we have
supported this past year.
Would you like to partner with us? Receipts are now available through EFCCM
See Home page for details.
or contact us at oneagleswings@telus.net
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Dinner with a purpose
It has been a while since I last wrote. Frank has not been well and undergoing Chemotherapy, Radiation followed by Surgery and then followed by another 6months of Chemotherapy. Let's hope it is over Chemotherapy is. Another surgery October?
We will now once again focus on raising funds to support the widows and orphans in Zimbabwe. We never really stopped. I just did it in a different and smaller way.
I have been enjoying a more personal fundraising which has been most successful. I have been holding dinners for 8 in private homes. The hostess invites friends I go in with the 3 course meal. The hostess provides dessert and drinks. I present what we do as a society via video, powerpoint and stories. Guests support a child with a weekly meal for a year. $60. Everyone enjoys the evening. The children are fed. At first the hostesses are somewhat reluctant to ask guests to attend a fundraiser in their homes but once they hear the guests thank them for the oportunity to learn and make a difference in the world they book another and another, We call it "Dinner with a Purpose". Fun and purposful.
We will now once again focus on raising funds to support the widows and orphans in Zimbabwe. We never really stopped. I just did it in a different and smaller way.
I have been enjoying a more personal fundraising which has been most successful. I have been holding dinners for 8 in private homes. The hostess invites friends I go in with the 3 course meal. The hostess provides dessert and drinks. I present what we do as a society via video, powerpoint and stories. Guests support a child with a weekly meal for a year. $60. Everyone enjoys the evening. The children are fed. At first the hostesses are somewhat reluctant to ask guests to attend a fundraiser in their homes but once they hear the guests thank them for the oportunity to learn and make a difference in the world they book another and another, We call it "Dinner with a Purpose". Fun and purposful.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
GARAGE SALE RAISED ANOTHER $4720
Once again we are thankful for all our friends. They encourage us and then put the energy and muscle into makeing things happen.
We are pleased to let you know that the Zimbabwe Gecko Society Fund Raising Garage Sale brought in $4720. Amazing what a group of people can do when we all put our hearts and minds into an event.
Thank you so much for your part in making this such a profitable and rewarding day.
The donation of items that poured in was almost overwhelming. The energy put into the displaying each of the articles and keeping it tidy praiseworthy.
Our kitchen showed good profit and hopefully provided volunteers with a good lunch, snack or coffee.
Then of course was the hard physical work of carrying goods in and then out of the building, loading and unloading then loading again. Wow ! Thank you for your energy and “ muscle” not to mention the use of trucks and trailers.
Clean up is of course the worst, thank you for helping us leave the building as clean and tidy as we found it.
We can all be assured that our work will bring much joy and relief to the widows and orphans in Zimbabwe.
Thank you too to our supporters for your donations and monthy contributions.
Always appreciated and keep our vision going. Until next time Sue
We are pleased to let you know that the Zimbabwe Gecko Society Fund Raising Garage Sale brought in $4720. Amazing what a group of people can do when we all put our hearts and minds into an event.
Thank you so much for your part in making this such a profitable and rewarding day.
The donation of items that poured in was almost overwhelming. The energy put into the displaying each of the articles and keeping it tidy praiseworthy.
Our kitchen showed good profit and hopefully provided volunteers with a good lunch, snack or coffee.
Then of course was the hard physical work of carrying goods in and then out of the building, loading and unloading then loading again. Wow ! Thank you for your energy and “ muscle” not to mention the use of trucks and trailers.
Clean up is of course the worst, thank you for helping us leave the building as clean and tidy as we found it.
We can all be assured that our work will bring much joy and relief to the widows and orphans in Zimbabwe.
Thank you too to our supporters for your donations and monthy contributions.
Always appreciated and keep our vision going. Until next time Sue
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR DONORS.
Congratulations to all our donors. We took in over $12,500.00 at our Annual Dinner at Surrey Golf Course. Know that each and every one of you have made a great difference in the life of a child in Zimbabwe. A child fed, a field planted with corn or vegetables, medication for HIV given ..... HOPE .. Hope for the future, knowing someone cares.
As we are still waiting for our charitable status we are not seeking donations as we can not give out tax deductible receipts. We are asking that you give up one cup of coffee or chocolate bar a month. We are asking that you make a gift of $5 a month to support a child.
Please consider this opportunity, Each 200 people that make this gift will be supporting a community garden and six goats. A chance to get started again with fertilizer and seed. An opportunity for a community to become self sufficient once again, Thank you. You can make a huge difference with so very little.
Chat soon, Sue
As we are still waiting for our charitable status we are not seeking donations as we can not give out tax deductible receipts. We are asking that you give up one cup of coffee or chocolate bar a month. We are asking that you make a gift of $5 a month to support a child.
Please consider this opportunity, Each 200 people that make this gift will be supporting a community garden and six goats. A chance to get started again with fertilizer and seed. An opportunity for a community to become self sufficient once again, Thank you. You can make a huge difference with so very little.
Chat soon, Sue
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Give up a cup of coffee or choclate bar a month to help a child
It is here at last. A video clip of the children and programs we support.
Our home page hosts our video. Please watch with an open and generous heart.
We are suggesting a $5 a month gift to feed a child. Perhaps give up a cup of coffee or a chocolate bar??
A commitment of a $5 a month gift that can be paid monthly - 1/4ly each 6 months or once a year. Of course a larger monthly gift is your choice :) Our Goal of asking for $5 a month is to have an income base we can rely on so we know how many children to accept and not have to turn away kids in the future.
%100 of your gift goes to Zimbabwe . All our directors and friends are volunteers.
If I were to place a child in your arms right now you would do all you can to save it.
Can i place a child in your heart?
Your decision will change lives. Including your own.
Watch the video and act. Cheques can be sent to UK or Canada Please e mail me for the addresses. Susan Janetti oneagleswings@telus.net
Our home page hosts our video. Please watch with an open and generous heart.
We are suggesting a $5 a month gift to feed a child. Perhaps give up a cup of coffee or a chocolate bar??
A commitment of a $5 a month gift that can be paid monthly - 1/4ly each 6 months or once a year. Of course a larger monthly gift is your choice :) Our Goal of asking for $5 a month is to have an income base we can rely on so we know how many children to accept and not have to turn away kids in the future.
%100 of your gift goes to Zimbabwe . All our directors and friends are volunteers.
If I were to place a child in your arms right now you would do all you can to save it.
Can i place a child in your heart?
Your decision will change lives. Including your own.
Watch the video and act. Cheques can be sent to UK or Canada Please e mail me for the addresses. Susan Janetti oneagleswings@telus.net
Saturday, February 27, 2010
LOOK FOR IT! COMING SOON! U.TUBE VIDEO
I have the privelege of living in British Columbia, Canada. This has been a proud and exciting week for Canadians and those participating in the Winter Olympics.
So far 21 medals 10 of them Gold. I am sure all the medal holders are bursting with pride.
Well believe it or not that is how I am feeling about Zimbabwe Gecko Society.
Our board and members have worked hard for the past year raising funds for Zimbabwe.
All have worked as hard as if they were 'GOING FOR GOLD"
Funds have been raised and widows and childrens lives have been saved or changed because of it.
I am particularly excited this week as we have been working on being seen and heard in more places than Canada. New brochures have been printed, events planned, a song for Zimbabwe been written and recorded (more news about that soon)
and a u tube video is in its final stages.
How can you help? When the u tube is posted, send it to everyone in your address book and ask them to do the same. I believe Zimbabwe children are going to be truly blessed this year if we all do our part.
Our Goal : 1000 people from around the world donating just $5 a month to save the children. The gifts will make a WORLD of difference. Can You Spare $5 a month.
Our books are open to the public anytime.
Don't forget to come back and see all the new events. Chat Soon Sue
So far 21 medals 10 of them Gold. I am sure all the medal holders are bursting with pride.
Well believe it or not that is how I am feeling about Zimbabwe Gecko Society.
Our board and members have worked hard for the past year raising funds for Zimbabwe.
All have worked as hard as if they were 'GOING FOR GOLD"
Funds have been raised and widows and childrens lives have been saved or changed because of it.
I am particularly excited this week as we have been working on being seen and heard in more places than Canada. New brochures have been printed, events planned, a song for Zimbabwe been written and recorded (more news about that soon)
and a u tube video is in its final stages.
How can you help? When the u tube is posted, send it to everyone in your address book and ask them to do the same. I believe Zimbabwe children are going to be truly blessed this year if we all do our part.
Our Goal : 1000 people from around the world donating just $5 a month to save the children. The gifts will make a WORLD of difference. Can You Spare $5 a month.
Our books are open to the public anytime.
Don't forget to come back and see all the new events. Chat Soon Sue
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Cathy Buckles letter says it all. Please help
Dear Family and Friends,
There are some things in Zimbabwe that are so shameful that it's
almost easier to turn away than to witness the reality of some
people's lives.
Recently I went to pay my telephone account on the same day as
pension cheques were supposed to have arrived at the local Post
Office Savings Bank. The two services operate side by side, in the
same building, on the ground floor and on opposite sides of a common
entrance door. The view in front of me was of mayhem. Literally
hundreds of people were crowded around the entrance to the building
and were clearly trying to get into the savings bank.
A security guard was leaning out of the window of the telephone
accounts hall watching the growing crowd. I held up my telephone bill
to indicate what I wanted and he shouted to me: 'Just push in!'
Reluctantly I stepped into the mass of people, apologising, excusing,
requesting passage and all the time showing the crumpled phone bill so
they knew I wasn't trying to get to the Savings Bank.
It took some time to squeeze, push and squash my way through the
crowd and then I realised that there seemed to be a lot of people
with crutches, walking sticks and even two people in wheelchairs.
When I finally got into the telephone accounts hall, very crushed,
battered and dishevelled I asked the security guard what was going
on. He told me that government pension cheques had not been deposited
into peoples accounts and that all these people were refusing to go
away until they got their money. They weren't waiting for a fortune
but for miniscule amounts that they can barely live on for one week,
let alone a month.
The doors of the savings bank were locked, the employees sat inside
chatting while hundreds of near destitute pensioners waited outside.
Word got around that there was no pension money and they should come
back after the weekend. Men and women in their seventies and
eighties, some as old as Zimbabwe's President, roared and surged
forward; glass doors looked in danger of collapsing, a disaster
seemed very close.
With such shame I looked at the men and women who gave a lifetime to
building our country and who were being rewarded like this. There was
nowhere for them to sit, no cups of tea or glasses of water, no polite
explanation, no apology, no respect for age, not even any empathy -
just a locked door. Grey haired, hunched over and so very thin, our
elders waited in vain. Many carried home made walking sticks,
knobbled, knotted and hand carved. Others wore glasses with one lens
missing or frames stuck together with putty; faces were hollow and
mouths shrunken, most with only a few teeth left, none with the
luxury of dentures.One man sat bent over in a wheelchair whose wheels
had been patched up with strips of bicycle tyre, sewn on with big
brown stitches. Almost all of them wore clothes that were long past
their best: suits with frayed cuffs and hems, threadbare dresses with
collars falling apart.
The state that pensioners find themselves in here, through no fault
of their own, is absolutely tragic. Life savings have been wiped out
with hyper inflation and repeated devaluation; assets have been sold
for miniscule amounts in exchange for food and medicines and
children, who could help, are either struggling somewhere in the
diaspora or unemployed and barely surviving themselves. A woman told
me her pension is 62 US dollars a month but her rent is 74 dollars.
Another told me her NSSA pension (social security) is 38 US dollars a
month but her medical aid is 48 US dollars a month, increased from 8
US dollars in December.
Perhaps hardest of all is the knowledge that if you have a fall,
break a bone or get sick, you're done for. Its a very common sight to
see elderly people being pushed in wheelbarrows or lying on the ground
in the dirt outside hospitals waiting for assistance. At our local
government hospital which is a provincial centre, there is now only
one government doctor serving the whole establishment.
As Zanu PF leaders continue to bleat about targeted sanctions that
only affect 203 individuals and 44 companies and say "no more
concessions" until "sanctions' are lifted, the madness goes on. Farms
continue to be grabbed, ever more people lose their homes, jobs and
life's work and more people are made destitute because of the greed
of a handful.
Zimbabwe's pensioners, like so many others in our population are in a
diabolical state which has nothing whatever to do with sanctions and
everything to do with a decade of mis-governance.
I end this week with a request for memories and anecdotes of Imire
Game Park in Wedza between the years 1950 and 2000. So much history
from the countryside has got lost in this dark decade and so many
people who were eye witnesses and could remember have gone. Please
contact me at the email address below if you have any stories you
would be prepared to share of this very special place. Until next
time, thanks for reading, love cathy. Copyright cathy buckle 30
January 2010.
There are some things in Zimbabwe that are so shameful that it's
almost easier to turn away than to witness the reality of some
people's lives.
Recently I went to pay my telephone account on the same day as
pension cheques were supposed to have arrived at the local Post
Office Savings Bank. The two services operate side by side, in the
same building, on the ground floor and on opposite sides of a common
entrance door. The view in front of me was of mayhem. Literally
hundreds of people were crowded around the entrance to the building
and were clearly trying to get into the savings bank.
A security guard was leaning out of the window of the telephone
accounts hall watching the growing crowd. I held up my telephone bill
to indicate what I wanted and he shouted to me: 'Just push in!'
Reluctantly I stepped into the mass of people, apologising, excusing,
requesting passage and all the time showing the crumpled phone bill so
they knew I wasn't trying to get to the Savings Bank.
It took some time to squeeze, push and squash my way through the
crowd and then I realised that there seemed to be a lot of people
with crutches, walking sticks and even two people in wheelchairs.
When I finally got into the telephone accounts hall, very crushed,
battered and dishevelled I asked the security guard what was going
on. He told me that government pension cheques had not been deposited
into peoples accounts and that all these people were refusing to go
away until they got their money. They weren't waiting for a fortune
but for miniscule amounts that they can barely live on for one week,
let alone a month.
The doors of the savings bank were locked, the employees sat inside
chatting while hundreds of near destitute pensioners waited outside.
Word got around that there was no pension money and they should come
back after the weekend. Men and women in their seventies and
eighties, some as old as Zimbabwe's President, roared and surged
forward; glass doors looked in danger of collapsing, a disaster
seemed very close.
With such shame I looked at the men and women who gave a lifetime to
building our country and who were being rewarded like this. There was
nowhere for them to sit, no cups of tea or glasses of water, no polite
explanation, no apology, no respect for age, not even any empathy -
just a locked door. Grey haired, hunched over and so very thin, our
elders waited in vain. Many carried home made walking sticks,
knobbled, knotted and hand carved. Others wore glasses with one lens
missing or frames stuck together with putty; faces were hollow and
mouths shrunken, most with only a few teeth left, none with the
luxury of dentures.One man sat bent over in a wheelchair whose wheels
had been patched up with strips of bicycle tyre, sewn on with big
brown stitches. Almost all of them wore clothes that were long past
their best: suits with frayed cuffs and hems, threadbare dresses with
collars falling apart.
The state that pensioners find themselves in here, through no fault
of their own, is absolutely tragic. Life savings have been wiped out
with hyper inflation and repeated devaluation; assets have been sold
for miniscule amounts in exchange for food and medicines and
children, who could help, are either struggling somewhere in the
diaspora or unemployed and barely surviving themselves. A woman told
me her pension is 62 US dollars a month but her rent is 74 dollars.
Another told me her NSSA pension (social security) is 38 US dollars a
month but her medical aid is 48 US dollars a month, increased from 8
US dollars in December.
Perhaps hardest of all is the knowledge that if you have a fall,
break a bone or get sick, you're done for. Its a very common sight to
see elderly people being pushed in wheelbarrows or lying on the ground
in the dirt outside hospitals waiting for assistance. At our local
government hospital which is a provincial centre, there is now only
one government doctor serving the whole establishment.
As Zanu PF leaders continue to bleat about targeted sanctions that
only affect 203 individuals and 44 companies and say "no more
concessions" until "sanctions' are lifted, the madness goes on. Farms
continue to be grabbed, ever more people lose their homes, jobs and
life's work and more people are made destitute because of the greed
of a handful.
Zimbabwe's pensioners, like so many others in our population are in a
diabolical state which has nothing whatever to do with sanctions and
everything to do with a decade of mis-governance.
I end this week with a request for memories and anecdotes of Imire
Game Park in Wedza between the years 1950 and 2000. So much history
from the countryside has got lost in this dark decade and so many
people who were eye witnesses and could remember have gone. Please
contact me at the email address below if you have any stories you
would be prepared to share of this very special place. Until next
time, thanks for reading, love cathy. Copyright cathy buckle 30
January 2010.
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