SUPPORT STILL DESPERATELY NEEDED

Can you imagine having to sleep on a bare floor with no blankets, no parents or care givers and you are only 7 years old and have to take care of your 4 year old sister?
Can you imagine waking up and having nothing to eat, no clean water to drink or wash in. No clean clothes to change into. No electricity, which means at night you are in the dark, scared and vunerable. Can you imagine not knowing what to do when you are sick because you know there is no Doctor to help, no hospitals, no knowledge at 7 years of age of what to do.

Can you imagine?

Close your eyes and imagine now. Try and feel it. Then imagine how grateful that child would be if you were able to give him or her a plate of food.

You can. Please help. 100% of any funds raised goes to the children and widows in Zimbabwe.

Plese read further on the web site and see the work we do and see how you can help.

If 20 people gave $5 a month we could feed 100 children

One person can make a difference

Until next time, Sue

Down in the Dumps (literally)

Hello all, I have copied a letter received from Ivy today. Know that your generosity and support are much appreciated and save lives. I will continue to post these letters as they come in as an encouragement to you. Until next time Sue


Good day Susan & Frank,

What a blessed day we had Friday 18/09/09.

Martin, Amanda, and 2 volunteers went out to the garbage dump area to feed the people. We have come back encouraged and empowered to do more. What a blessed day indeed even though we saw pitiful living conditions and starving people the fact that we brough even a little relief was a blessing.

There were 9 people who were very very ill and thanked the Lord for a plate of food, they even cried.Any many others who were very hungry. The children seem so lifeless. May the Lord richly bless you for the finances. Once again God richly abundantly, bless you all. They have asked us to please thank "Susan and Frank and all the people who help " all the wonderful people from the dumping area thank you very very much indeed. We bought fish, rice, maize-meal and cabbage. Ivy and Martin

CHALLENGE FOR THE DAY

Another person who "really gets" (see Article written 18th August) what Zimbabwe Gecko Society is all about. I met Lori Pederson two days ago, what a wonderful compassionate lady she is. Lori is the kind of lady that if she won a million dollars, a huge chunk would go to helping children. Lori didn't just stop at donating for a gecko but wrote to all her friends telling of what we do. (letter below) If everyone would do this and send just $10 can you imagine how many children's lives would be saved or improved. My challenge today is for readers and their friends to donate $10 and see how much difference we can make in Zimbabwe.
Don't forget to e mail all your friends to go to the blog on this site.
Until next time. Sue

( a little embarrasing publishing the wonderful lady bit but i did not feel free to edit) Thank you Lori for your kind words.

Hi everyone,

I finally met this wonderful lady the other day, named Susan Janetti. I first heard of her a few years ago when she was accepting donations for gecko's that were made from children of Zimbabwe. This money helps feed the children in Zimbabwe and I loved the idea of it! And of course anyone who knows me knows my love for the tiny lizard...

Susan is holding a Braai style BBQ at the end of this month and $20 goes to your meal and there will be a live band, 50/50 draw and best of you will be helping in Zimbabwe. It is a win/win for all. The other day I went to her house because I wanted to be part of it somehow but have to work that day at Wal-mart. I thought if I could give the $20 as a food donation for Zimbabwe that would help, right? The chidren make these really cool things from Harley motorcycles, geckos, alligators, frogs, sheep ++. If you want to see them and learn more you can check out their website: www.zimbabwegecko.com. The other day I found out that my $20 will feed two children for one month; that warmed my heart. She also gave me $200,000.00 Zimbabwe dollars and that's because the government one day decided that there was no longer Zimbabwe dollars; the country was now using american dollars! So if you were lucky enough to actually have money either in your hand or the bank you now had no money.
None!
I know we all have our favourite charities that we give to but if you need to buy a meaningful gift for someone I only ask you check out the above website and see if anything appeals to you. The other day I donated $5 for a gecko keychain ... The children used recycled garbage bags for the tires on the harley. It is really amazing. Thanks for reading my e-mail.

Lori Pederson

EMMA ST PETERS CHILDREN ARE PRECIOUS PROGRAM

Emma St Peters is an amazing young girl who understands and truly "gets" what zimbabwe gecko society is all about.
About seeing the need of widows and children starving and suffering in zimbabwe and then doing something about it. Emma encourages me to keep going when I tire. Thank you Emma.

Here is the link to Emma's article that recently appeared in the Joyrnal Gazette Fort St Wayne. She was thrilled with the artical and hopes people will visit the coffee shop to purchase more Geckos or see the need and offer support. A few people have asked if they can find other ways to raise money as a result of the article. I can only say Yes, please join us.
Visit the site and see for yourself what a 9 year old can do and see if you can inspire Emma by doing something yourself.
I recently wrote to Emma and during the writing realized that this 9 year old was actually saving or certainly improving the lives of over 200 children with her work. Once again Well done Emma
The site is
www.journalgazette.net/article/20090818/FEAT15/308189926/1015/FEAT15#

Happy Support Sent

Hello all,

It has taken a couple of months but we have managed to raise $5500 which has been divided up as listed below

Many thanks to 9 year old Emma St, Peters who took it upon herself to raise over a thousand dollars. Yes I said 9 years old.
Emma was excited and motivated to know that the first money she raised went to the Snake Park /Norton Project which we now know as
the Emma St Peters Vana Vanokosha project. She is now sending $650 to keep the project growing. See attached news/press release

Also plans that Keith and Kathy are putting together for a child headed family village I am very excited about this and will send more information soon.

Great News, my nephew Ross Conlon has agreed to work with us (will become a director in January) He is full of ideas to better feed the children.
As soon as Ross is able to type up the details I will send them on to you.

We are hosting a Zimbabwe Braai (BBQ) on the 26th August it will not be a huge affair but a good chance to do some networking and of course every
dollar is important. Please pray for a good turnout and generous hearts as well as fun and good networking

We love the work done in Zimbabwe and pray that the children and the country will be fed and blessed with abundance.
We enjoy partnering with all the program directors and we ourselves are blessed. We long to return to Zimbabwe and visit you all again (slower next time)

Love to you and the people we serve together.
Sue Frank and the Zimbabwe Gecko Team

CTT Received $1820

Jairos Jiri $300

Hands of Mercy $1070

Rafangora Childrens Home $200

Angeles of Mercy $200

Christlike Ministries $1010

Total Sent $5500

Simbabure
Safron Wal-don

Fortune

Nico
Hands of Mercy

Keith and Kathy
Christlike ministries

IVY
Yasmin

Angles of mercy
Ra
SENT
TOTAL
$6700

Until next time. Sue

CHILD HEADED FAMILIES BUILDING PROPOSAL

Hello again, this week we have managed to raise $800 with the sale of geckos and showing the picturs and stories of our trip into Zimbabwe. All of the money raised will be going to Keith and Kathy "Hands of Mercy" for the building of homes for child headed families. See below or write to Keith and Kathy for their news letter and proposal. Children will be blessed richly with having a home and the ability to support one another.


“THIS IS THE VISION”


PROPOSAL FOR CHILD HEADED FAMILIES


 WHAT DO WE HAVE TO START WITH:

1. Land in Chinika communal area 3hectures (7,2acres) – all paid up.
2. Built a male & female toilet out of brick.
3. We have cut enough poles for 2 homes and kitchens

 WHATS THE PLAN?

1. Child headed (between 2 & 6 children of the same family)
2. One round house for boys and one round house for girls.
3. A round kitchen between the boys & girls home.
4. dig a water well for the plot


 WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR:


PRICE FOR 6 HOMES


1. Purchase of doors, windows, locks $1`500
2. Cement $600
3. ¾ stone $500
4. Supporting poles for homes & kitchens. $700
5. Poles for roofing $900
6. Grass for roofing $1`000
7. labour $2`000
8. transport $1`000
9. well (water) $1`000
Total $9`200



WHAT DO THINK? CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE SOMETHING TOWARDS THIS GOAL. UNTIL NEST TIME SUE

AFRICAN PEACE FESTIVAL

Saturday 18th Zimbabwe Gecko Society took part in the African Peace Festival for the first time. We were honored with being the featured Society of the day and also receiving a $500 donation.
What a fun day! The doors opened at 11 with folk immediately coming in to see all the displays and take part in the action. We were entertained with fantastic music and shows ending at 7pm leaving a little time to clean up before doors opened up again at 8 for an evening of music and dancing.
Zimbabwe Gecko Society received great exposure and much interest. Gecko's were of course for sale and enough money was raised to open 3 more feeding programs.
WOW!!

If you would like to make a difference in a childs life please go to our
"How Can You Help page"

You can make a difference!

until next time, Sue

ps. please use the blog to ask questions or make comment.

Back from Zimbabwe

Hello all, What a trip! What a roller coster of emotion!
It all started with the decision to put fear of cholera, lack of clean water, food electricity and a multitude of other concerns behind us. A decision to just go and do what we could to help widows and orphans who are hungry, sick and often living without hope.

We had an ok flight taking what seemed forever. UK -S.A. - Zimbabwe
We were blessed with the blind eye turned to our 9 suitcases (5 over limit) two large hand luggage and two carrier bags as we went through customs.

We were able to stay in a nice apartment and by the standards of most we were very fortunate. We had electricity for about 45 mins each morning 5:30 am - 6:15 and an occasional evening. We had dirty water to shower in once or twice a week but mostly we used it to fill the bath tub and used it to flush the toilet.

Food was a bit of a problem. We could buy it but not cook it as we were travelling in the bush most days. Eating unwashed anything is not good so one had to constantly look for bottled water. We mostly ate bread and cheese. Enough about that we were the lucky ones.

On travelling to several of the programs we support. Sometimes a days travel away we came across hundreds if not thousands of people that had nothing. No electricity, no clean water or opportunity to purchase clean water. No bread and cheese,. NOTHING! The children were sick, had poor skin tone, dull eyes, little energy.
We were blessed in being able to share food we had purchased in South Africa with hundreds of children. Please read the webpage and see how $10 makes a difference in a childs life or how $200 starts a feeding program.

Please feel free to ask questions and i will do my best to answer them.

Yes we are going back. We feel we have not done all we started out to do. We will be having more fundraiser events so we can keep the programs we started alive.

Website will be updated in the next week.

Please help if you are able. Less than 1% of funds raised goes to administration. All of the board members are volunteers and if we travel to Zimbabwe we travel at our own expense.
Till next time Sue

Lots to do

The African Fundraiser dinner was a great success. All tickets sold quickly with the need to print another 50 tickets. 300 tickets sold! With all the volunteers and entertainers we fed 380 people.

What a great evening. The Fashion show was remarkable the drummers and Marimba players kept us entertained and dancing. Food was delicious and the hall a great place to be. Everyone had positive comments and want to be invited again for this yearly event.

We raised $14000 which will go a long way to bringing relief to the people of Zimbabwe. Food and supplies will be going to St Faith's mission in march to support 42 disabled children and their caregivers. Without this aid the school/orphanage is really close to closing down.

Seniors will receive aid.

Widows and orphans will be supported with our support to other agencies.

Please check back in May to see all that is to be accomplished.

Till next time Sue

Thank you very much

It is always amazing to see people operating at their best.

This month has been amazing. Supporters of the Zimbabwe Gecko Society are coming forward with offers of help of all kinds. We have volunteer entertainers for the March event Belly dancer, African dress fashion Show, Marimba players and Drummers.
We have folk making monthly pledges, folk dropping off donations for the silent auctions, purchasing tickets for the event, many purchasing for a whole table of 8

We have folk willing to pick up and drop off items, willing to help with the event and even folk willing to clean up at the end.

Thank you all for your help which is making the planning much easier.

It is going to be such a priviledge representing you in Zimbabwe in April.

Thank you very much for your generous support. Until next time Sue

Won't you join us

We are planning a trip to Zimbabwe in April. The needs are great. We are able to ship food into Zimbabwe from South Africa.

Won't you help feed the desperately hungry people of Zimbabwe.

Please make checks payable to

White Rock Community church if you need a tax receipt.

or

Zimbabwe Gecko Society (no tax receipt provided

If you wish to help Sue and Frank with expenses mail to Sue Janetti

All checks maild to

102-1744-128th Street, Surrey. BC Canada V4A 3V4


Until next time. Sue

St, Faith's Mission

Now that the newly formed Zimbabwe Gecko Society is off and running we have included St Faith's Mission as one of the beneficiaries of the society's fund raising.

Here is a short article on the work that is accomplished at the mission.


St. Faith’s Mission is a rural mission located in Rusape, Zimbabwe, about a 2 ½ hr drive from the capital of Harare. St. Faiths was established many, many years ago and is one of the oldest missions in Zimbabwe. The mission owns 200 acres of land and uses the majority of this land as farm land to help support the mission.

The priest responsible for the mission is Reverend Webster Simbabure. The mission consists of the church at St. Faith’s, as well as 11 other satellite churches. In addition to the church, the mission is made up of an all boys secondary school (Form 1 to A levels), as well as an orphanage for disabled children. It is the orphanage which Zimbabwe Gecko Society has targeted to help support.

The orphanage currently supports 42 children, ranging from babies to 15 year olds. All the children have a disability. The disabilities include blindness, various physical impairments, quadriplegics, hearing impairment or mental disabilities. There is currently 10 staff at the orphanage, several of whom also have disabilities. The staff has various areas of specialty. The children attend the local public school and school fees and uniforms are covered by the orphanage. Once the children reach the age of 15, the children are merged into the community.

The orphanage is supported by the mission as well as Jairos Jiri – an organization that advances the interests of people with disabilities. The orphanage has been given 12 acres on the mission property to use for a garden which helps provide food for the children and staff. The main challenge currently is raising money to ensure sufficient food for the children, cover medical care expenses, and pay staff salaries.

Another project is this area that Zimbabwe Gecko Society is supporting is the Nyasha Cooperative. Mrs. Simbabure is the leader of the cooperative. This is a communal garden for women from the mission which was established approximately 9 years ago. The women share resources such as tools, fertilizers, seeds, and knowledge to grow vegetables that they can sell in the market. The women work together to help each other be successful in their growing and selling.

The current needs of the cooperative are resources such as seed and fertilizer. As well, Zimbabwe Gecko Society hopes to provide additional agricultural training for these women so that they can achieve the maximum potential of their efforts through learning new and innovative farming techniques.

Zimbabwe Gecko Society

We are now officially Zimbabwe Gecko Society. We received the documentation this week and will now move forward with greater gusto. Tickets for our first fundraiser dinner hit the market early this week and are already more than half sold 250 of them. At the dinner we have drummers, miramba players and belly dancer for the fun part. Dinner is Curried Beef, Chicken pot pies, mildly spiced vegeterian dish, cardomon rice, salads desert, wine or pop and all for $25
$25 for a meal and entertainment is of course a real steal. The fundraiser part of the evening will be fun. Silent Auction, raffle boxes, 50/50 gecko and art sales.

Why don't you come along and have a fun evening with a great opportunity for generosity in support of folk in Zimbabwe who can certainly use some help right now.

Keep watch for future events and news.

Don't forget to go to gallery and see the folk we support
Chat soon,
Sue