Africa

Zimbabweans’ struggle as asylum refugees

Many people are leaving Zimbabwe for a better life elsewhere rather than go hungry and not have a job at home. But some people leave the country because of intimidation resulting from their political beliefs. Gloria* is one such person. When she lived in Zimbabwe, she supported the opposition and attended rallies. By doing so, ...

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Hunger the real homework

Widespread hunger in rural Zimbabwe means that Kembo Ndlovu, head of Lupaka primary school, doesn’t just have to worry about nourishing his pupils’ minds, but also their bodies. Children who don’t get enough food at home, won’t have the energy to go to school and if they do, nagging hunger pangs will make it harder ...

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Zimbabweans tough it out against all odds

By David Snyder There are signs of a fragile stability returning to Zimbabwe after decades of devastating decline. But the rural poor have yet to find themselves on solid ground. Hunger is still overwhelming. Illnesses that are easily treated are still killing people for lack of access to health care. Many people don’t have enough ...

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Children abandoned in Zimbabwe’s economic crisis

Children abandoned in Zimbabwe’s economic crisis

While Elvis Presley was famous for his fried peanut butter sandwiches and his voracious appetite, Elvis Ncube in Zimbabwe is lucky if he gets a daily meal of porridge and beans. Elvis’ mother left for Botswana for a short period to find work in 2005, but she never returned. Life in Madabe village, southern Zimbabwe, ...

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Zimbabwe: “The food is finished”

In the gentle warmth of a mid-winter African sun, Moffat Mpofu seeks shade beside his small thatched hut. Beside him his wife Sarah stretches out on a thin grass mat, their youngest daughter resting quietly across her knees. But the peaceful scene hides a distressing story. Mr Mpofu, 49, tested positive for HIV in December ...

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Working Together to Save Lives in Darfur

Working Together to Save Lives in Darfur

Christian Churches from all over the world are working together to save the lives of people affected by conflict in Darfur. A joint programme involving ACT (Action by Churches Together), a global alliance of churches and related agencies working in the field of humanitarian relief, and Caritas Internationalis has been providing essential life-saving services such ...

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Imagine compassion in a crisis: Ballots not bullets

Imagine compassion in a crisis: Ballots not bullets

2008 began badly for Mary, her three daughters, and six grandchildren. Post-election violence in Kenya escalated into ethnic conflict that saw families driven from their homes. “I don’t even want to remember the picture of that day. They were running in all directions, setting fire to crops and houses,” said Mary. Her family was taken ...

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Imagine compassion in a crisis: Congo’s killing fields

Imagine compassion in a crisis: Congo’s killing fields

“All I want is for an end to this war so my family can return to our village,” said Sophie Kenzia. The people of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo were just aching to go home. They wanted safety, a dry bed and regular meals. What they got was rape, killing or a grim life in ...

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