News from the Chidamoyo Trust from May, 2006

The charity continues to do valuable work. £5,500 has just been transferred to the hospital. £2,500 of that was a donation from ZRSDP, the Zimbabwe Rural Schools Development Programme, £1,000 is for Education sponsorship, £1000 for the prevention of the spread of the HIV virus to the unborn child and £1000 for the Orphan support Programme.
The hospital is still having great difficulty finding a replacement doctor. For the third time a doctor who was supposed to take up the post has left for abroad. At present the doctor only visits once every 2 weeks from Makonde- 3 hours away. The hospital treats about 1,000 patients a month, so Kathy, the matron and one of the trustees of the Chidamoyo Trust, has to prioritise everything she does. She herself had to undergo hernia surgery just before Easter, but she is now back running the hospital.
The good rains have enabled people to grow food this summer, but they have also made the roads to the hospital very bad and many times the rivers are flooded. This has made the bus service very erratic and hard for people to get to the hospital. Before the rain it took 90 minutes to get to Karoi, where the tarmac starts, but now it takes over 2 hours. The bad roads also mean very heavy wear and tear on hospital vehicles.

The economic situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate. Prices double nearly every day. The pound is now Z$184,000 to GPB£1. People think in millions and billions. A dropped $100 bill is not even worth picking up! Unemployment is over 80% and inflation is just under %1000. The life-expectancy for women is now only 34years and for men 40. There are serious shortages. People are having a hard time getting mealie meal (maize) to eat, even if they have the money to buy it. However, sugar is now on the market after 1 year of not being able to buy any! Fuel is even available at times, as the price has gone up so high, most people can't afford to buy it. This has raised bus fares and transport costs, too.

The main problem at Chidamoyo is that electricity seems to be off more than it is on. The country only produces 60% of the electricity needed and they have to import the other 40% from South Africa, Mozambique and the Congo. When the county�s credit runs out, the electricity is turned off- sometimes for up to 5 days. The hospital still has a back-up generator but, due to the shortage of diesel and the high cost, it is not used except in an emergency. Not long ago the hospital only used the generator, but now there is always the uncertainty as to when the power will go off or when it will be on again!

A very popular programme with our supporters is the sponsorship programme for school girls and boys. The Chidamoyo Christian Hospital is sponsoring more than 90 young people in high school this year. Five passed their 0-levels and have continued on for 2 more years to complete their A-levels. One girl did so well in her A -levels that if there is sufficient funding, the hospital will sponsor her through University.
The Chidamoyo Trust is at present sponsoring 12 of these young people. Ten of our supporters have pledged £50 per annum for this cause. In exchange for their scholarship the young people work in the hospital 2 hours a week helping in the laundry, drug room and cleaning. If you would like to help, please contact us using the facilities provided by the web-site