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News 7(16 Jan –31
Mar) |
19th March
2002 Excuse the
format folks - I really miss the computer and software I had in Zim !!!!!
Still - we press on. Thanks for all the emails, and good wishes for our
future. I really appreciate it. I haven't had a chance to answer each one -
but I will. We are all fine
- a bit depressed at times (but I suppose that is normal). One day I'm up,
the next I'm down. Annoying that I allow it to happen. England is fine.
Seeing all the daffodils coming up really lifts the spirits - a foretaste of
things to come. Roll on summer. Actually, it hasn't been half as bad as I
expected it to be. The most difficult part for me is trying to move on !! How
do I just cut off the major part of my life, and pretend that I don't want to
be there, in the sunshine - with all the loving, friendly folk I know ? I
can't. If we had left two years ago (before the trouble started), we would
have left with such happy memories, but the last couple of years has clouded
all the happy times, and left such a bitter taste. In time, I hope, these
grim thoughts will fade, and we will remember all that was good, and
wonderful, about our country and it's people. I cling to that hope. On the home
front, we seem to be settling down. The house we are renting in Oxfordshire
has just been sold - so we have been house-hunting again for the last two
weeks. We are limited in our search because there are 7 of us - and so we
need 4 bedrooms ! But, luckily, last Saturday, we found a house that is
suitable. A small problem with it though, it's unfurnished, so we will be scouring
the second-hand shops and newspapers for odd bits and pieces. We should be
settled in the new house by the end of May. We are taking a year's lease
(yes, we mean business). We are all
still gainfully employed, thank goodness - and our prospects are looking
good. So, we have a lot to be thankful for, and I am thankful. It may sound
trite, but we have each other, peace of mind and a future ! What more could
we ask for (a win on the National Lottery would be nice). Now on to
more serious stuff. The elections
are over, and though most folk are really disappointed, the outcome was not
unexpected. We all knew he had it in his power to rig, intimidate, control
the outcome - and he did. I have heard from family and friends, and the
violence continues. The fear continues, as well. Many more folk are leaving
as I type this. A lot waited for the outcome of the elections before making
up their minds - and now they have decided. The MDC supporters are feeling
the full force of ZanuPF's might - retribution for their disloyalty to Mugabe
and his regime. Farmers and their workers still suffer. Another farmer was
murdered this week ! It continues. It's awful, horrendous - and yet it
continues. And the world watches. Smart
sanctions (sanctions on a personal level against Mugabe and certain members
of the ZanuPF) were applied a while back, and the world bodies continue to
debate what they should do. It is absolutely shocking that no severe action
has been taken up to now. I have been saying this for 2 solid years - when is
someone going to DO something to stop this tyrant, this dictator who has
ruined so many lives, and continues to reign supreme ? When ? What will it
take ? Murders ? Rapes ? Beatings ? Intimidation ? The worst record of Human
Rights abuses on this planet ? No, we've had all those. Genocide ? No - we've
had that too. So what will do it ? What will motivate the world into action
against a thoroughly evil man and his followers ? I don't know the answers.
If anyone does, please let me know. Where to
from here ? We press on - what more can we do ? I am trying to write a record
of the last two years for publication - wish me luck (I have to find some-one
willing to publish it !) I am using this website as a reference, but
including more personal feelings, and stories from folk that I recorded and
tucked safely away - stories of such horror that my eyes still fill up when I
read them. The last 2 years has changed me - changed so many Zimbabweans. We
thought that we were safe, thought that our way of life was carved in stone,
thought that freedom of speech and association was our right. None of that
was true. Will it ever be true again ? I have learned so much that I hope
will stand me in good stead for the future (whatever the future may bring). I
have learned to appreciate the simple things, the pleasures and treasures
that we all take for granted. I have learned never to judge a book by its
cover (I met so many wonderful people in the last 2 years who I would never
have met, had it not been for the Zimbabwe situation). I have learned that
black & white CAN live and work together side-by-side, both striving for
the same goals. So many more positive lessons. I hope I don't ever forget
them. I have also learned that evil DOES exist, and needs to be fought
against at every turn. It should NEVER be accepted as the norm, NEVER be
tolerated, NEVER be allowed to win. 28th March
2002 Back later. Lorraine 3rd September 2004 Well, I can’t believe its over 2 years since I updated this
website. Incredible ! How time moves…and heals ! Yes, I am still alive and
well, living in the UK, and coping. In fact, I love my life here. It was so
hard for the first two years – I was ready to up and run (back to Zim) at a
moments notice. I didn’t think I would ever settle down. But amazingly…I
have. We have a great life here – financially it is always a bit tight…but
emotionally, physically etc. it couldn’t be better. My children and their
families are all here, living near us. My mother has come over from Zim every
summer since we have been here, and stayed for the English summer. She is
with us now, and will be making her way back to my brother in Zimbabwe during
November. My brother and his family are still in Harare, facing the daily
hassles that we used to face. How he continues, I don’t know…but he is made
of stern stuff, as most Zimbabweans are. They continue the struggle – for me
it has faded somewhat. Its still important, but thank goodness I have other
interests. The obsession I had with the Zim Situation was unhealthy. So...life goes on. God Bless all. I will update occasionally as long as this site
remains open. Lorraine |
Content © 2000 - 2004 Lorraine