Project Gecko

January 2011 - A new start

2011-01-11T17:17:00.000-08:00

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

Dinner with a purpose

2010-08-18T20:29:00.000-07:00

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.

GARAGE SALE RAISED ANOTHER $4720

2010-05-29T15:02:00.000-07:00

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

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR DONORS.

2010-04-27T21:49:00.000-07:00

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

Give up a cup of coffee or choclate bar a month to help a child

2010-04-10T13:22:00.000-07:00

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

LOOK FOR IT! COMING SOON! U.TUBE VIDEO

2010-02-27T09:20:00.000-08:00

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

Cathy Buckles letter says it all. Please help

2010-01-30T18:12:00.000-08:00

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.

A NEW YEAR - NEW HOPE

2010-01-19T15:25:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL
Friends and family in Zimbabwe are saying there is hope in the air. An air of expectation, promise of a better future. I am delighted to hear and read of new projects being started new creative ideas and new energy. Just what 2010 needs!!

We can help keep that hope alive.
We have new gardening projects on the go. Hope and encouragement for gardening with self sustainability the key to the future.
We also have new goat projects starting which will also lead to self sustainability.
$40 buys a goat. The goats will have about 3 kid crops each two years 6 kids.
6 kids will sell for $240 which in turn will purchase enough seed to start a self sustaining garden including fertilizer.
To help a community or village. We suggest we start with a garden at a cost of $600 including labor, fertilizer, water, maintinance etc. $200 for goats. At the end of one season the community would have a crop worth $2000 Enough to eat and sell for more seed. They would also have 5 goats which in turn would give at least 10 kids selling at $400 Without going into too much detail you can see that if this is well managed the village become self sufficient within a year. 3 crops a year.

If you are interested in more information or making a donation please contact us through our blog or e mail.
A little makes a huge difference in each persons life. In fact it is often life itself. Until next time. Sue
ps. please send our blog and website to friends.

SUPPORT STILL DESPERATELY NEEDED

2009-10-27T21:31:00.000-07:00

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)

2009-10-03T11:04:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-22T08:29:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-18T20:14:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-05T20:30:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-25T20:53:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-19T07:42:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-09T18:21:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-28T14:46:00.000-07:00

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

2009-02-16T19:54:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-29T12:36:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-21T22:34:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-16T17:58:00.000-08:00

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

NEED A LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS GIFT. ?

2008-12-22T18:56:00.000-08:00

ZIMBABWE GECKO SOCIETY FUND RAISING DINNER.

DATE SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2009

PLACE STAR OF THE SEA HALL
15262 Pacific, White Rock, BC
Directions: corner of 152 St. & Fir St.
Parking: on Fir St., behind hall

TIME 6:00 pm
Dinner served promptly at 6:30 pm

PRICE $25

HIGHLIGHTS of the EVENT

African Dinner

Entertainment – including:
Kurai & Pasi – Zimbabwe Music Presentation
Annyse Rayne – Bellydancing

Video Presentation on the society and its current projects

Silent Auction –
African Crafts
Artwork
Gift Baskets
And much more…….

For tickets, please contact any of the following Directors

Susan or Frank Janetti 604-531-3654 (oneagleswings@telus.net)
Elaine Hassell 604-535-5665 (ghassell@telus.net)
Joyce Black 604-531-1878 (jbbeach@telus.net)
Annette or Langton Simbabure 604-535-3924 (TribalTrends@telus.net)

The goal of the Zimbabwe Gecko Society is to raise awareness and funds for widows and orphans in Zimbabwe. Further information can be found at www.zimbabwegeckosociety.com.

Help on the way

2008-12-05T06:54:00.000-08:00

After many struggles on how to get help to the people we support in Zimbabwe. We have found a way! Yeah! I am so very grateful and excited about the support we are now receiving in South Africa.

I am now able to wire money to an account in S.A. and in turn that money is exchanged for food and shipped to the Safron Waldon Project in Zimbabwe.

This Sunday we are long distance hosting a Christmas Party at the Safron Waldon Farm

There will be no presents of toys or choclates. However, the gift of food, Maize, sugar, salt, oil, candles, soap and matches will be received with much joy.
Perhaps later we will be abe to send a few toys.

Pastor Nico will be taking photos of this happy event and once received I will post them on the site for all of you to see the results of your efforts.

With a thankful heart to all our supporters I continue to say that no matter how small the gift WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE Thank you all for supporting me in my dreams of giving the gift of love one person at a time. Sue

NEW PICTURES ARRIVE

2008-11-14T08:20:00.000-08:00

Good Morning all, I have just received new photos of the folk we support in Zimbabwe. Pastor Nico who heads up the Safron Waldon Project tells me they were taken late October. In order to see the photos. Go back to the home page and click on gallery. Listed below are the places and names.

1 Vegetable Garden from a Distance
2. Vegetable Garden from close range
3. Tilling the Garden from left to right; Brian,
Robson, Reuben & Simba
4. Break-time; Brian, Robson, Reuben & Simba pause for
photo
5. Borehole pump house
6. Borehole pump (presently not working)
7. Borehole pump (presently not working)
8. Working the fields; Plaxedes, Maisvora, Violet
Kachigunda, Selina Alozho, Angeline Mudzimu, Emily Nyika and Sibongile Ayani
9. Garden Extension
10. Workshop & Power source
11. Mrs Kachigunda widowed and her dependence ; from
left to right; Ennia, Hilda, Progress, Jonathan, Talent and Patience.
12. Kamavi (Mrs)
13. Levison 17, living with AIDS
14. Selina Alozho widowed (42yrs) with children from
left; Praise 3yrs, Ever 9 yrs, Plaxedes 17 yrs, Beauty 18 yrs.
15. Reuben aged 45
16. Sibongile Ayala 35 yrs widow, with her 3
children;Yolanda, Ephraim and Munashe
17. Munyaradzi Nyika 5 yrs; orphan (granny looks after
him)
18. Mrs Ndembera 70 yr old widow with grand-daughter
Mavis 6 yrs
19. Raven 11 years - orphan
20. Maisvireva (Mrs ) widow with her two children;
Richman 6 yrs & Brenda 11 yrs
21. Mrs Zefa Dube widowed, holding Edwin 2 yrs,
Conellious 8 yrs & Prince 5 yrs
22. Eneresi Ndonga 34 widowed with Noah 7yrs
23. Raphael Makore 68 yrs unemployed and sickly with
grand children; Yolanda 12 yrs & Clive 8 yrs
24. All the beneficiaries; group photo
25. Emily Nyika (Mrs) 52 yrs, unemployed and sickly,
looks after 4 children'
26. Care-givers group photo

Making a difference in peoples lives is a blessing to both them and us.

Chat soon. Sue

correction

2008-11-11T09:58:00.000-08:00

On October 28th I stated that Zimbabwe Gecko Society would be having an African Dinner for the Opening of the Society in February. We have had to change that date to March 14th 09
Details will be posted as we near the event. However if you live in our area or plan on visiting at that time we would love to see you. We will be serving delicious curries as well as non spicy dishes. Come along meet the directors and members and share in our entheausiasm helping Widows and Orphans in Zimbabwe.

We are still trusting and waiting for a miricle that will put Zimbabwe and its people back on their feet.

Any Questions. Please ask away and I will do the best I can to give you up to date information.

Chat again soon. sue

Zimbabwe Gecko Sociey planning events

2008-10-28T22:34:00.000-07:00

Despite the fact that Zimbabwe politicians have not yet come to an agreement that will move the country forward, the new directors of Zimbabwe Gecko Society are making plans.

Feburay 8th 2009 we will be introducing ZGS to the public. We will be holding an introduction Fund raising dinner. Please watch for news to follow with all the details and oportunity to purchase tickets.

We also have great news. Dr. Lourens Perod a local White Rock Doctor has agreed to go into Zimbabwe with us on a medical mission. May 2009 is the expected date with bigger plans for 2010 Again more news and opportunities to join the medical team will follow.

A short but exciting bit of news.

Chat soon. Sue

MOVING FORWARD REGARDLESS!!!

2008-09-29T18:44:00.001-07:00

Regardless of the news pouring out of Zimbabwe of late, we have decide to move forward in helping the now desperate and starving widows and orphans any way we
can.
In order to do this, a group of us got together and decided to organize our own Society. The main reason for doing this is so we can organize more fundraising activities and provide Tax receipts.

We do not plan on having paid staff or any overheads but we do plan on linking with more people from all over the world intersted in the plight of Zimbabweans.

We want to continue to provide evidencee that any money raised goes directly to providing relief aid.

As we are starting our own society we will no longer be joined with S.W.A.M.

We recently sent $13.000.00 to SWAM for Zimbabwe relief. We trust many will be helped. The money was raised by a walk-a-thon and garage sale.

Look for news in the next few days. I will you informed of the new Society its members and activities.

Exciting!!
Until next time Sue

Hope - what we cling too.

2008-09-12T07:24:00.000-07:00

Good Morning all, the news yesterday was more encouraging. Hope .. the people are still hoping that their vote will count.

Shared government? Is that a possibility? We all Hope....

If all these years of waiting for democracy finally pays off... what then? ....

How will a country that has taken at least 9 zeros off of its currency with an inflation rate of over 1,000,000% come back? How will it raise from its ashes.

Once again, we can hope. Hope that sensibility and stability will take charge.

Hope that the people of Zimbabwe who have show great patience will continue to be patient and rebuild with integrity and wisdom. To leave greed and selfishness behind. To have great vision for a land of great potential.

Now more than ever project Gecko needs your support. We are working towards taking a medical mission into Zimbabwe in 2009 To a starving, aids riddled, nation that have none of the medicines or supplies they need.

Please help, I encourage you to write to me at oneagleswings@telus.net and offer encouragement ideas and support as you are able.

Until next time. Sue

WHEN WILL HE BE STOPPED?

2008-08-25T08:46:00.000-07:00

I just had to post this news item that has just come. Please keep reading and supporting Zimbabwe any way you know how.
until next time. Sue

Zimbabwe opposition reports arrest at parliament
41 minutes ago

HARARE, Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe's main opposition says two members were arrested
as they entered parliament to be sworn in.

The opposition says police did not say where the men were being taken.
Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said he was unaware of the arrests.

Opposition spokesman Nelson Chamisa says his Movement for Democratic Change
remained determined to take up seats in parliament, which President Robert
Mugabe was to open Tuesday. The opposition won the most legislative seats in
March, and is trying to negotiate executive power sharing with Mugabe.

Police have said they are seeking seven opposition members accused of
involvement in election violence. Independent human rights groups have said
Mugabe's forces were responsible for most of the violence.

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Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.6.7/1632 - Release Date: 8/25/2008 7:05 AM

Will it never end?

2008-08-24T22:53:00.000-07:00

Who would ever have guessed that the Zimbabwe elections would still be a topic of discussion 5 months after the event took place! Who would have guessed that Morgan Tsvangirai who won the election would be negotiating a position of sharing political power with Mugabe.
While this happens the people of Zimbabwe grow more and more desperate, more hungry, less hopeful.
The world was watching all this happen, it seemed the world was interested perhaps even going to help. However, the Beijing games and Georgia took over the news. Gold, Bronze and Silver became more important news, the war between Russia and Georgia filled our screens with the horror. Less and less news of Zimbabwe.

More and more Zimbabwe children become orphans due to hunger or lack of medication.
My commitment to make a difference in the lives of widows and children grows.

Please look again at the web site to see how you can make a difference.

Read how a donation for a gecko helps the children or a donation to SWAM helps us send relief packages into Zimbabwe.

looking forward to hearing from ou. Sue Janetti

Catch up

2008-08-02T10:57:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all who have stayed in touch while I have been out of the country and out of contact with the Blog news.

I have done a copy paste to catch you all up with what has been going on in Zimbabwe.
ALSO GO TO lINKS AND READ CATHY'S LETTERS

I am reluctant to put all our news down and the work being done inside the country for fear of work being stopped. Let me say though that the children are being fed and cared for to the best of everyone's ability. The financial situation has reached crisis point . Now 10 o"s have been knocked off the end of the currency value what was $100,000,000,00.00 is now $1 HOW DO YOU WORK THAT OUT. !!!

UNTIL NEXT TIME SUE

News Briefs
Thursday, 31 July 2008 07:28
BY STAFF REPORTERS

Abductions of opposition continues

HARARE - Violence against Zimbabwean opposition members continued last
week even as power-sharing talks got under way between the ruling Zanu (PF)
and MDC, sources said on July 25.

Soldiers and suspected Zanu (PF) militia abducted two MDC drivers in
the Buhera South constituency of eastern Manicaland province this week who
had gone there to transport victims of earlier political violence to
hospitals for medical care.

Provincial MDC spokesman, Pishai Muchauraya, that local activists
sought assistance from the ZRP, but police officers told them that their
hands were tied in the matter.

MDC officials said they were trying to establish the identities of 60
individuals whose bodies remained unclaimed at a Harare hospital and who are
believed to be opposition members slain in post-election violence. Though
the hospital occasionally receives unidentified bodies, MDC officials said
they fear some of the bodies now in the mortuary could be those of activists
who went missing in the approach to and the aftermath of the June 27 run-off
election.

MDC Home Affairs Secretary Sam Sipepa Nkomo said it had not been easy
to make identifications as some bodies have been mutilated or badly
burned. - VOA

Forced to drink Chinese-manufactured herbicide

MDC activists forced to drink poison

CHIWESHE - Soldiers and Zanu (PF) militia forced MDC activists to
drink Paraquat, a highly toxic herbicide used for weed control.

Hilton Chironga suffered horrific facial injuries, described as
corrosive burns, caused by the Chinese herbicide when he, together with his
mother, his sister and a neighbour were forced to drink it at a militia base
at Tetra farm.

Shingi Nyoni, an investigator into human rights abuses, told us
Hilton's brother Gibson was shot dead by the militia the same day he was
forced to consume poison. Two other people died in the same attack.

'Hilton and his mother are currently admitted at a hospital in Harare.
One other person identified as Madamombe died from the poison. To date he
only takes liquids, milk and soup and is in constant pain,' Nyoni said.

Paraquat is highly toxic if swallowed and as little as one teaspoonful
of the active ingredient is fatal. Death occurs up to 30 days after
ingestion.

Apart from forcing people to drink the herbicide, the militia and
soldiers inflicted serious injuries on others by dipping their knobkerries
and sticks into Paraquat, before beating their victims.

'To make matters worse, most of these victims are not getting any help
from the government to deal with their injuries. They need specialized
medicines and doses for their wounds and treatment,' Nyoni said. - SW Radio
Africa

More MDC activists abducted, tortured

MANICALAND - Two MDC activists, Witness Maambire, the then Chief
Election agent to Samuel Muzerengwa (MDC senator for Buhera) and a friend,
were abducted at gun point by Colonel Morgan Mzilikazi at Chapanduka
Business Centre on July 24. The MP elected for the area, Naison Nemadziwa,
had to run into the mountains for his safety.

The three had gone to fetch 17 MDC activists who were tortured on July
17. When they parked at Chapanduka Business Centre, Colonel Morgan
Mzilikazi and a number of armed militia came to the MDC truck and abducted
Witness Maambire and his colleague at gunpoint.

It is not clear whether Witness Maambire and his colleague were taken
to a torture camp at Jori or other torture camps around Buhera. The
whereabouts and safety of the MP are also not known. The injured 17 people
are also still in Buhera.

Meanwhile, in Buhera South, Wilson Jori (65) from Ward 28, Chief
Nyashanu, was fined eight goats and 18 chickens for being an MDC sympathiser
before being severely assaulted and tortured after he was forced to attend a
Zanu (PF) rally on July 17.

Jori said Zanu (PF) militias forced people to attend a ' victory
celebration meeting'. It was during the meeting that the militias demanded
the goats and chickens from all MDC sympathisers and later beat them
severely on their back and buttocks using electrtric cables, wire, logs and
sjambocks, 'to be certain that they have rejoined Zanu (PF).'

Among the militias were Peter Madangure, Musi Chikobvore, Benson
Mandizha, Tungamirai Matanga, Peter Chatikobo, Kuda Murove, Muchuru Mazenge,
Akira Munamati and Zanu (PF) losing chancellor candidate, Boas Chimombe.

Jori has since been living in agony without medication.

There are more than 20 MDC activists who have deeper wounds and are
developing maggots as the Zanu (PF) militias are denying them freedom to
travel to seek treatment.

US steps up pressure on Mugabe junta
BY STAFF REPORTER

HARARE - The U.S. government has widened its targeted sanctions list
to include seventeen companies linked to President Robert Mugabe's regime
and one individual alleged to be helping the Mugabe regime pillage mineral
wealth in the DRC.

A statement sent to The Zimbabwean from the US state department of the
Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) says 17 entities,
including several Zimbabwean parastatals, and one individual whose support
for Robert Mugabe's regime contributes to the undermining of democratic
processes and institutions in Zimbabwe have been designated.

"In light of the continued intransigence of the brutal Mugabe regime,
the U.S. is imposing further sanctions against this regime and its
supporters," said OFAC Director, Adam J. Szubin. "These actions send a clear
warning to those who would protect Mugabe and his assets at the expense of
the Zimbabwean people."

The designations include a number of Zimbabwean parastatals and
entities that are owned or controlled by the Government of Zimbabwe. Mugabe,
his senior officials, and regime cronies have used these entities to
illegally siphon revenue and foreign exchange from the Zimbabwean people,
Szubin said.

The US Treasury's designations include the Minerals Marketing
Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), the sole marketing and export agent for all
minerals, except gold and silver, mined in Zimbabwe; the Zimbabwe Mining
Development Corporation (ZMDC), involved in investment in the mining
industry in Zimbabwe, and in planning, coordinating and implementing mining
projects on behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe; the Zimbabwe Iron and
Steel Company (ZISCO), Zimbabwe's largest steel works; the Agricultural
Development Bank of Zimbabwe (Agribank), a commercial bank owned by the
Government of Zimbabwe; the Industrial Development Corporation of Zimbabwe
Ltd, a state-owned enterprise that owns a large number of companies
operating in the industrial sector, including the chemical, clothing and
textiles, mineral processing, and motor and transport sectors; the
Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe, a financing entity; Zimre
Holdings Limited, an investment and reinsurance entity; ZB Financial
Holdings Limited, a holding company for a group of companies involved in
commercial and merchant banking; and four major subsidiaries of ZB Financial
Holdings Limited: ZB Bank Limited (Zimbank), ZB Holdings Limited,
Intermarket Holdings Limited, and Scotfin Limited.

Also designated is Thamer Bin Saeed Ahmed Al-Shanfari, an Omani
national with close ties to Mugabe and his top officials, as well as his
company, Oryx Natural Resources, which Al-Shanfari uses to enable Mugabe and
his senior officials to maintain access to, and derive personal benefit
from, various mining ventures in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

OFAC has also designated Operation Sovereign Legitimacy (OSLEG), an
enterprise that is a commercial arm of the Zimbabwean army representing its
interests in the DRC and elsewhere, and which is controlled by various
senior officials in Zimbabwe. The activities of OSLEG and Al-Shanfari's Oryx
Natural Resources, benefiting Mugabe and his regime's senior officials, have
been widely documented by various non-governmental and human rights
organizations.

OFAC said it had also designated the following companies that are
owned or controlled by a number of Specially Designated Nationals: Divine
Homes, a property company whose Chairman is David Chapfika, Zimbabwe's
Deputy Minister of Agriculture; COMOIL (Pvt) Ltd., a petroleum importing
company, owned by Saviour Kasukuwere, Zimbabwe's Deputy Minister of Youth
Development and Employment Creation; and Famba Safaris, a registered
Zimbabwean safari operator, whose Director and major shareholder is Webster
Shamu, Minister of State for Policy Implementation.

"As a result of Treasury's action, any assets of the individual and
entities designated today that are within U.S. jurisdiction must be frozen,"
Szubin said. "Additionally, U.S. persons are prohibited from conducting
financial or commercial transactions with the individual or entities."

HOW MUCH MORE CAN THE PEOPLE ENDURE?

2008-06-11T13:26:00.001-07:00

How much more can the people endure?

One wonders how much more the people of Zimbabwe can endure. They voted -The opposition won - Hurray - The vote dosn't count said Mugabe - Re vote -
Opposition members shot, beaten and now food coupons - food coupon are only given if you vote for Mugabe- Any guesses to who will win the next election?

Project Gecko helps so few yet those that we help grows as people like you respond.
Sherry recently wrote of the difficulties in getting money out of the bank and buying food. Thank goodness for people like Sherry who line up for hours in queues either for money, food or fuel.

See letter from Sherry below

Hi Susan

We received the money from (blocked) on monday 2nd $ 760 billion. At prsent we have a balnace of around $ 800 billion for the Saffron porject funds as the devaluation dialy is frightening. We started the month at $ 222 million to the US and have ended at $ 773 million. This is why its imperative we use the money as fast as possible. We have been sourcing as much mealie meal and kepnta as we can find its very short and costs over 3 billion a bag on the balck market so we are trying to purchase thorugh contacts to get at the correct price. Sadly we have to pay in cash and still only allowed to withdraw 5 billion per day so I find myself having to go the the bank and queue for our measly 5 billion every day. I apologise for not sending the accounts before but assure you we are working on the figures and will send them as soon as possible. Our finance eleder has not been able to get to church with fuel constarints and has all the bank records and statmnets so we are waiting to get them from him and once we have them will keep all the records in the church office.
Our team went out this weekend to Saffron and it was awesome to see many of those we support attending our church meeting. Approx 50 childredn and 10 adults attended the service on sunday pm. We were able o disribute food for approx 20 orpahns and widows, as well as assisting our 2 homeless gentleman who we have moved from sleeping in the streets in harare to Saffron walden they are Reuben and David. They have been ostarcised by society and their family David has full blown Aids and Reuben has had mental probelms in the past due to drugs and alcohol. They have been attending church regularly and we have been building relationship with them for many months now and felt they were ready to go out to Saffron and assits with the project. In particular the planting of crops and possibly keeping chickens and pigs to help with food support. Our maize in the field is ready for harvesting so we are hoping to have this as a backup of food supply for those we support.
Leveson our teen with full blown Aids is a real concern as it would apppear his aunt is not tkaing him to the clinic for his treatment so we are trying to find out what the problem is and where we can best help. I think transport being a huge costsis preventing the aunt from taking him so will offer to help. She has remarried and we think the new husband does not want the burden of this young man and his illness so perhaps we can arrange to take him into Saffron and care for him oursleves if the fmaily agrees. WE were able to give him warm socks and shoes to help with the cold.
The borehole we were able to get up and rinning has been a real blessing to the community with good clean water now avaiable we just pray no one will steal the motor as this is a big problem. David and Reuben will be sleeping right next to the pumo house as security in a delta hut.
Susan I wnat to thank you and your supporters for the amazing blessing you are in helping support this project. There are many with desperate needs in Zimbabwe and we can't help everyone but we are making a difference in the lives of many children who have no parents and for those who are trying to look after them( a few photos attached) Thank you and may God bless you for your love and support.

yours in Christ
sherry

No where to run

2008-05-27T17:50:00.000-07:00

Zimbabweans trying to escape torture, starvation or harrassment crossing the border into South Africa are receiving the same treatment there. South African's do not want them. "They are taking our job's" they cry. My heart goes out to these people who are just trying to survive under very difficult circumstances.
We continue to do what we can. Another sum of money has just been deposited to help the women and children at Safron Waldon Project Food will be purchased and delivered this coming Sunday. Hope and Relief to a few.
Thanks to those involved with the donation of $10 for a gecko and many thanks to those who spend hours lining up at the bank for hours every day for a week to get enough withdrawn to buy food and then have to scour the streets and bargain for food. Most in this country of freedom will not understand the trouble one has to go through to purchase food. Even when you get home there is no fridge or stove as there is little or no electricity. I could go on but I think you get the picture. We need your help to continue to support the widows and children.

please e mail if you wish to make a donation for a gecko or have any ideas for fundraising events.

our Walk a thon will take place in White Rock B.C. Canada on June 21st If you are interested in walking or donating please contact me asap.
Until next time. Sue

Even a 4 year old can make a Difference

2008-05-21T13:01:00.000-07:00

Yes, even a 4 year old can make a difference. Little Tia (go to letters and see Tia's story) is once again wanting to make a difference in the lives of Children in Zimbabwe, that is so encouraging to me.

Sometimes I wonder how we can keep on giving, sometimes it seems everytime we turn around someone else wants a donation. Then I realize, again, we have to follow our hearts and do what we can, with what we have. My passion lies with the Zimbabwean people. Gracious, polite, gentle people who have by their patience been pushed aside by power and control. Their land left fallow.

I must help. I am driven to help. I have looked into the eyes of the starving people there, starving from a lack of food, justice and indifference from the world.

Can you help? The people of Zimbabwe have hope when we care.

Contact me by this blog or e mail oneagleswings@telus.net and make a difference, we certainly can if a 4 year old can. Project gecko is still alive, help keep it that way.

Until next time. Sue
ps. go to links and look at Cathy's mail direct from Zimbabwe

They waited in vain. Another election in July

2008-05-14T13:30:00.000-07:00

I don't really know what to say. After months of waiting for election results a winner was announced. MDC won. However, Mugabe decided that he didn't want to give up his position and has called for another election in July. In the mean time people are being beaten and killed for voting with the MDC When will it end? We will wait again. Until July................

Good news is that the widows and children living at the "Safron Project" are receiving food and assistance with housing, schooling and medication. Geckos are still being ordered which help the children that make them. They are now being housed in an orphanage.

Project gecko is still providing with your help.

Help keep this project and the children alive. Send your support by communication through my e mail noneagleswings@telus.net Keep watch on the web page and read the articles under letters. You will be encouraged by what is happening. I am. Read the latest article on little Tia a 4 year old that is making a difference.

Until next time. Sue ps. keep your questions coming and feel free to write on the blog site.

AND STILL THEY WAIT...............

2008-05-03T06:45:00.000-07:00

How long can Zimbabwean's patience last. Does the world care? After Rwanda the world said "There must never be another Rwanda- we can not allow it to happen" It has started in Zimbabwe

There are some in the world that care. We do what we can. It never seems enough. However receiving donations for little wire ornaments has made a huge difference in the lives of some widows and children.

Please don't give up helping. Please don't give up hope that Zimbabwe can change. It can and it will.

When....................?

AND WE WAIT.....

2008-04-16T10:43:00.000-07:00

The Patience of the Zimbabwean's is so very evident right now. Waiting for election results when the election took place a month ago.
Will their patience continue. I don't think it can. When thousands if not millions are suffering daily. The unarmed, defenceless people will surely raise their voices if not any weapon they can lay their hands on. I pray it will not come to that end. .....................

I am delighted to tell you that maise has been purchased for the women and children. I will let you read that letter yourself. It will be posted shortly. Now we have a definate project with people that can be monitored we hope to do even more than what we are doing now.

Once we receive the childrens pictures to go with the names already posted we will be asking if anyone would like to sponsor a child or a group of people sponsor the children living in the Safron Waldon project. We are looking for ways to do that. If you are interested please e mail by return. So much to do. So limited, either with money, or purchase of goods in Zimbabwe.
However, we are making a difference. A big difference that is appreciated.

Till next time , Sue

STILL WAITING AND WONDERING STILL HOPING

2008-04-10T22:33:00.000-07:00

The elections in Zimbabwe took place on the 4th March it is now april 10th and still no results, people still wait in hope but the people of Zimbabwe now wait in fear . Below is a copy of a letter I received today, ...............

.Subject: Last White farmers under siege, instigated by Mugabe

Dear Family and Friends, Well neve thought I would have to do this email do not know if it may be my last from our farm "Chidza At 3.30pm today a lorry load of so called Mugabe brain washed "war-vets" arrived at our gate to take over our land, equipment and pedigree cattle. This crazy action is occurring in a country where there is little food being produced ! It is now 6 pm and they have been singing their war songs at our gate for three hours, the atmosphere is violent and more and more of them have arrived.We managed to get our daughter Alison and her young son "Little John" into town and for now it is just John and myself, plus our dogs remaining in the house on the farm. They have said that our labour will not work tomorrow . They have demanded that John mustkill them a sheep, which John has flatly refused to do, so no doubt they will simply kill one for themselves.None of our paid labour will even attmpt to come to work tomorroweither! Graham Richards who lives south of us is also under siege at the same> time as us, so this siege of the last remaining whites is an orchestrated plan. The Goddards and Deidricks are in the same boat.They have already taken over Pa-Nyanda Guest Lodge, and Graham and his wife Callie are> now in town.Alison is at John sisters in Masvingo town and her husband Carl is expected back from Bulawayo tonight. Lorna's telephone no. is Zw code 39-264323 ; Ali is on 011216643Our Phone Landline is 039-266080>> Cell Phone Nos. 011-215275 ; 023-258810 Please pass this email on to as many folk as you would like to , the llegal action must become "known" thru out the world . If you know of anyone in the Media, please ensure that they become> aware /are alerted to this evil tyrant's actions to keep power at all costs. We have to let the world know what is happening. Our love to you all. John and Joy from Chidza.
How very sad. I hope they are safe as i read this. till next time sue

April 4th and still waiting for election results

2008-04-04T10:59:00.000-07:00

It is April the 4th, elections took place 6 days ago and still no results. Zimbabwean's continue to do what they always do. Wait! Wonder! Despair! Yet still hold out hope.

The world continues to watch and wait with them.

Thank you to those who have enquired after my brother Patrick. He is now off life support, eating mush so is able to swallow much better. Has some movement on his left side. In general much further ahead than we expected after such a massive stroke.

Please watch for new photos. The kids are now really getting excited and using their imaginations. Look for yourself in the photo gallery they should be there in the next few days. A beaded VW, the doors, hood and trunk open. Even a spare tire under the hood.
A Harley Davison bike. A rooster eggcup. Wire car. Large and small bikes.
Please order through my e mail address

Please continue to write and feel free to write on the blog itself.

You will also see posted soon a new letter from Zimbabwe with the women and childrens names who are benefitting from your donations.

Talk to you soon. sue

THANK YOU ONE AGAIN

2008-03-25T10:47:00.000-07:00

Good Morning, thank you once again to all those who are supporting Zimbabwe widows and orphans in so many different ways.

Sometimes I become discouraged as I wonder how long we can persevere in a country where inflation rises by the day. What you can buy today for a million dollars may be two million overnight.

How does one plan on feeding and educating hundreds if by tomorrow the money we send only helps one child instead of two.

We can just do our best, knowing we are making a difference. Right now we are able to continue with the support we are giving as we have enough coming in from donations to the "project gecko"

Please continue to telll your friends and pass the word along. $10 donation for a gecko is truly
making a difference.

It is Election week in Zimbabwe . I wonder if change stands a chance.

Until next time. Sue

HAPPY EASTER

2008-03-21T08:05:00.000-07:00

HE IS RISEN - RISEN INDEED

May I take this opportunity to wish all readers a blessed and happy Easter

In Canada we have that choice to believe or not believe- to vote or not to vote- to eat or not to eat.

Let us remember those that do not have these choices and do what we can to help in whatever way we can.

If you want, you can choose Project Gecko or SWAM both choices help the less fortunate in the world. You can read about both projects by going to the home page.

I am blessed by reaching out to others much more than I would ever have known. Working for Project Gecko or the South & West African Mission brings me much joy. See you soon. Sue

gecko story still touching hearts.

2008-03-20T12:10:00.000-07:00

Thanks for all the e mails regarding my brother Patrick. The prognosis is still not good but it is early days yet as regards such a brain injury.

We are still receiving donations and orders for geckos and we are ready to build more projects at Safron Waldon. The elections and fear of the results are bringing things to a stand still this week, however, we are waiting in the background ready to move forward and touch more lives as soon as the opportunity arises. Yet another shipment of geckos and ornaments will be coming in soon. Thank you for continuing to pass the word along about the work we are all doing on behalf of the improvished in Zimbabwe.

Until next time. sue

communication

2008-03-16T16:45:00.000-07:00

I was able to reach my brother by telephone yesterday. We did not discuss the situation in Zimbabwe. My eldest brother Patrick now living in Australia had a massive
sub dural haematoma which he had to have removed by surgery. The bleed was so bad that it pushed his brain completely onto the right side and down into the spinal cavity. We do not know the prognosis as yet. It seems pretty bleak. How helpless we feel. Some relatives in England, some in Zimbabwe some in other parts of Australia and here we are in Canada. Do we go and see him now? later? Will he make later? These are the results of the past 20 years broken families having to leave Zimbabwe and move to anywhere in the world they are accepted. We can only hope the elections this month bring peace and reunion.
Untill next time. Sue

NOT A WORD

2008-03-14T08:44:00.000-07:00

Good Morning, Not a word from Zimbabwe for the past week. e.mail dosen't seem to be getting through. The telephone lines seem to be down. Since we left zimbabwe 20+ years ago we have tried not to worry when communication is shut down. But how can you not worry when you know the Elections are being held this month. Will it be like the last election in Kenya? Are family safe? Are the widows and children we have worked so hard to support safe? So many questions and no communication. The elections are just a part of the concern. We have just heard that the government has a new order. To take over 51% of White owned and foreign busineses. Just like that -your livelihood gone Businessess were struggling and now 51% goes to the government! Iwonder how the taxes get divided!!

I wonder how the people of Zimbabwe will survive? Will they have the drive to continue as they have done for so many years.
Will project gecko survive? We have to have hope. Hope is all the Zimbabweans have left.

Until next time. Sue

ps. would love to hear from some of you readers

Globe and Mail

2008-03-10T12:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the Globe and Mail newspaper had a 2 page article on Zimbabwe. It was a shocking read. Yes, I had already heard most of the information from folk in the country but to see the details published in one place was overwhelming. How can the folk in Zimbabwe survive another currupt election let alone the threat that the same man who has over the past 20 years destroyed what was once the Pride of Africa and the breadbasket of the world.

2000% inflation you can be sure many more will starve to death as the world looks on.
One wonders if fewer people would die if the folk would act as Kenya has just done.! What a notion.
On this side of the world we will continue to show we care one gecko at a time.
Until next time. Sue

geckos geckos geckos

2008-03-08T17:46:00.000-08:00

I have spent the day looking up all the outstanding orders and e mailing off to let everyone know that the ornaments and geckos are in. This shipment consisted mostly of geckos. Red, yellow, blue, green and multicolored geckos cover my desk. I am brown bagging them to take to Tiggywinkles on Tuesday am ready for pick up. Some folk are going to be disapointed as I don't have as many angles as wanted. I will order more! The order will be here in a couple of months. Let me know if you want any and any particular color.

I am amazed at the e mails still coming in. Everytime I see an order I think of the women and children that will be receiving the benefits. How easy it is to give joy to people who have so little. As easy as giving up two cups of coffee.

I was saddened this week. Margaret, a lady from Zimbabwe who we supported from time to time with food and clothing and with $200 for a cateract operation last year passed away. However, knowing that she was cared about, even if that person was on the other side of the world would have been comforting and she expressed how delighted she was to be able to see all the beautiful colors around her. It was important to her, if only for a year.

Off to bag more geckos............ Till next time Sue

ps. if you want to know what is happening in Zimbabwe this week look under Cathy's web site on this web site.

Misssion trips

2008-03-06T09:10:00.000-08:00

Thought I would mention that planned trips into Namibia are being considered through SWAM
Although nothing has been decided on as yet, some of you out there may have always wanted to do a missions trip into Africa.

I expect, but nothing in concrete , that it would cost about $4,550.00 for such a trip. I would also suggest that a first trip into Namiba would be getting to know the people and the culture with a goal of going back with your own skill set ideas.

Just something to think about. Let me know if you are interested.

No news this week from Zimbabwe. I suspect that electricity and phones are down which limits e mail.
Look forward to hearing from you. Sue

geckos arrive

2008-03-04T09:46:00.000-08:00

Good Morning. The geckos and ornaments have arrived. Horray! I don't beleive we have enough to meet the outstanding orders but have already ordered more. This is about the children and not timing I suspect.

We had our first Advisory Board Meeting last night. the entheausiasm in the room was exciting to see. We are all set and ready to go. First item up will be a garage sale held in White Rock . If you have good quality items to sell you may rent a table or donate your clean washed and priced items. More info to follow but please e mail me if you are interested.

Must run and sort out gecko orders. Wishing you a pleasant day. Sue

Advisory Board

2008-03-02T06:52:00.000-08:00

PROJECT GECKO LINKS WITH SWAM (see letters on web site )
Although PG and SWAM are two distinct and seperate identities Frank and I are joining with South & West African Mission so as to facilitate tax receipts for those who give more than the $10 donation for a gecko and want a tax receipt. All "extra money needing receipts" will go to the SWAM relief fund which we hope will soon send aid in the form of relief packs into Zimbabwe. However the SWAM relief fund is for general relief and necessary help will be sent where most needed at the time.
Starting tomorrow March 3rd an advisory board will be formed. The advisory board will be responsible for fund raising through varios events. African dinners, garage sales, golf tournaments etac. (any ideas please send them) As if todays date we have 8 confirmed new board members and 6 or 7 interested or wanting to be a support at the events.
I am truly looking forward to tomorrow and seeing what will develop. I believe God has great plans.
Until tomorrow. Sue

1st posting March 1st 2008

2008-03-01T11:35:00.000-08:00

It is with a sad heart that I write the first posting regarding "project gecko" My friend John Milne who inspired me to do more for the widows and orphans in Zimbabwe has just been diagnosed with liver cancer and given an expected survival of a mere 6 months. John, however, is expecting a miricle and moving forward with his passion which is to provide filtered water to homes in Africa. He is in the process of setting up an advisory board at this time and hopes that folk will come forward and join him on this mission.
(SEE gecko story in the letters section of the website )

We are at a bit of a stand still right now as we await the new shipment of geckos and ornaments from Zimbabwe. BUT you will be amazed at what they are making now. I will post photos as soon as they arrive but I am going to keep you guessing and waiting. I will tell you that they are made of wire and beads and very intricate. See you soon when I have more news to share. Sue

Project Gecko gets website.

2008-02-19T17:23:00.000-08:00

Project Gecko now has a website at http://www.zimbabwegecko.com/ , with thanks to Savvas Kyriakides of WSI Internet Consulting in South Surrey, BC. Project Gecko raises money for hungry kids in Zimbabwe, by handing out their hand-made wire geckos and ornaments for a minimum donation of $10 each. Project Gecko is the brainchild of Ocean Park (White Rock BC) resident, Sue Janetti.