Sparrow Logistics lose vehicle

One of Sparrow Logistics vehicle was snatched from the driver by robbers. Fortunately no harm was done to the driver. The loss of the vehicle has not affected the flow of food to Zimbabwe. Sparrow Logistics are able to carry on at the same rate.

Fun Zim ride details

Theis charity ride is on. Plans are at an advanced stage. There are other people involved now. We have The MP for stoke on Trent Mark Fisher, The MP for Oxford Andrew Smith, and many who find out about it. "We are very grateful to all of you for your help." said Asher and Richard.

Please drop us a pound or two on the fund raising pages. Also do not miss our fund raising events. Check the website for dates and tickets.


The Fun Zimbabwe Ride for fund raising is detailed at these addresses.

http://www.justgiving.com/funzimbabweride600

http://www.funzimride.co.uk/

Food supplies to Zimbabwe from South Africa

Good News. Sparrow Logistics of http://sparrow.gets-it.net/sparrow/ have stepped in to help us transport food stuffs to Zimbabwe when they have a trip to Zimbabwe. They normally go twice per week and vist both Bulawayo and Masvingo at least once per week. Several shipments have already been delivered and all seems well. They also allow us a good delivery charge discount copared to their normal customers. the challenge now remains with the transport from Masvingo into the rural area but this is a much smaller task than sourcing food.

We continue to ask for donations through this difficult time. We have 34 children around Chatsworth placed with families, and 13 children in a children's home in Bulawayo. The supply to Bulawayo is directly to the home.

Many thanks to all including Sparrow Logistics.

Zimbabwe update

The situation in Zimbabwe is given in many different versions in the international press. H.E.L.P. International is only concerned with the welfare of the children regarding food supplies, schooling, and personal safety. Of these, the most challenging at present is food supplies to families who look after the children under our care. This is because of transport limitations. We are looking into all options including assisting with grain from South Africa. In the mean time, there are charities helping with food supplies. We only cater for specific urgent situations to those looking after children under our programme.

I Want To Participate

I spent a few hours today helping to outline the The Zimbabwe Fun Ride. 600 miles plus of fund raising fun on push bikes acroos Zimbabwe. I am really keen to take part in this ride if I can get time off work to do it. I have only ever been to Matopos Hills (the place where Cecil John Rhodes, the guy who let the first official group of colonialists in what he later called Rhodesia, is buried. His grave is almost an intrusion into this very tranquil but vast place. If you cannot be moved by your own presence at such a place, then you are either already dead or you are very close. The fact that this ride starts at Matopos is great news for the participants.

In Bulawayo they visit the first orphanage, with 13 children some of whom need special medical attention. It’s a chance to see why they are fun raising. Then through Bulawayo and onto the famous Selbourne avenue out towards Masvingo over 300 km away. Selbourne is as straight as straight can be for 15 km. Its as if they use laser technology to line it up. Bulawayo has the widest streets and avenues on earth. They are lined by the sweet smelling jacaranda trees which flower in the spring.

A variety of topologies bring you to Zvishavane. I have an affinity for this little town. It is the first real life place you see on this otherwise natural landscape from Bulawayo. Stop and have a good look.

From here its downhill to Masvingo, a city built among the best province of Zimbabwe, Masvingo. Zimbabwe gets its name from a monument a few kilometres south east of the city. The monument is unique and anyone passing within 14000 km of it ought to take a detour to go and look and perhaps take some photographs. The riders will visit the place. There is a dame or mane made lake not too far and it would be good to see it because it is built at a very interesting location.

From Masvingo the rders head north along the Harare Road.. 70 km on, they take a 10 km detour to Chatsworth, the best town in the whole world. (my birth place) to go and visit the second orphanage. This, when complete, will take up to 20 orphans from any age to 14 initially. Over thirty of these are currently supported in placement in the community, supported by H.E.L.P. International. Again the riders will se in person why fund raising is needed, in this community where the average income is less than GBP 5 per month, yet the number of orphans is increasing year on year.
Back on the road the riders head for Harare 290km away. It is uphill on a bike but it is interesting terrain all the way there. Stop at Spider Web for a drink, at Fairfield for a dance to high pitched local music, at Mvuma to look at the artwork by locals, at Chivhu to watch the country buses come in or leave with everything except live cattle on their roof racks. Check the tread on their tyres and ask yourself whether it is not a lot safer on your nice bike.

Next port of call is Beatrice (pronounced Beatrice) Every time I pass by this place, I go to the local police station and ask the whatever silly question I can think of. It just breaks the journey a little bit. I suggest the riders do the same. It will make someone’s day. They will want to know how Liverpool FC is doing.
You can smell Harare from Beatrice. You know you are close when you see an endless cemetery on your right. Each time I have passed there, there are countless groups of people, each adding another grave to the place, as if it does not have enough already. If the riders stop here for more than ten seconds in silence, they will fully understand the meaning of the word ORPHAN in Zimbabwe. Just after that, there is a turning on the left, which goes to a large children’s home about a quarter of a mile away. The rider will visit this place, and may be well advised to put up there for the night. It is not a good idea to ask the chap in charge of the place to tell you any stories about any of the children present. I have seen grown men reduced to a tear or two from listening to this guy., and all he does is tell you the true children stories. Americans are supporting this place whole heartedly.

Next port of call, Harare International Airport and before long London, UK. Breathe good air before you leave Africa. The African bug bites many. The Zimbabwean bug bites even more. One you have been, you will always want to go. Maybe next time without your bike.

This was Richard Pantlin’s idea. After the ride, if you have lost a bit of weight from your ten days with him, go back to your friends and workmates, and enjoy the compliments. Tell them its not all good news because there is a constant amount of weight on this earth, so that each time someone loses weight, someone else gains the same amount. Hopefully the guys in Zim have gained some. They need it.

600 miles of The Fun Ride is my idea of participation in fund raising. This one is scheduled just after I get back from Banjul. Question is Can I do both? What do you think? Should we take Charity bets on it?

If you would like to participate in this really interesting venture, please contact helpinternational03@yahoo.co.uk

Momentum is gathering, now and the group so far has FIVE people eager to ride. Progress chart will be posted on our website http://www.helpinternational0co.uk (Asher C Mupasi)

Naomi trekking Day 1 Brief

19/02/08
We reached safely and have been travelling all the time. We reached Pokhara from Kathmandu this afternoon, got our trekking permits and looked around Pokhara all afternoon.
Pretty tired now but thought I will send a quick email before we start trekking tomorrow. We will be away for 7 nights, 8 days trekking. we have got a porter for helping with carrying my pack and a guide. The weather is good, sunny and warm during the day but gets pretty chilly in the evenings.
Got a glimpse of 'fish tail' mountain (6990 mtrs) from ;where we were this afternoon. looked beautiful... but a lot of haze around.

The guide has a nokia so I will be able to charge the phone and try and text you.

The food is very similar to Indian food. the villages we passed also reminded me of the villages in India. More similarities than I thought! Kahtmandu is about 1600metres, Pokhara is 900metres. I think we start our climb upto about 3000 mts on our trip. My left knee is paining (probably already worried about the amount of walking!)

There are a lot of shops selling all that one might need for the various activities here... china not too far so - 'the North face,Gore tex' and other brands are well represented -flleeces, packs, sleeping bags etc etc... at much cheaper prices ofcourse!
Because of 'power loadsheding' there isnt electricity at all times. so this morning no shower... we had tobe out by 6.30 am. Veg food no problem.
NW

Naomi aims high into the Himalayas

Naomi Watson leaves for India and the Himalayas, where she will be trekking for ten days in support of the Salapur project and others. She writes:

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As some of you know I am going to Nepal trekking in the Himalayas. I will be away for 3 weeks – 2 weeks trekking. I am raising funds for the charity - HELP (Health, Education and Literacy Programme) International. Our target is to raise #10k to build an orphanage. I am looking for sponsors and would be delighted if you would like to sponsor me. Have a look at our website http://www.helpinternational.co.uk You can contribute a small amount, large amount, or make monthly contributions..... every little helps to make a difference in the lives of children. Over the last 5 years since we started this project in India we have seen lives change. It has brought hope and a vision of change in the slums of Solapur (India). We support 70 children with their Health, Education and one meal a day programme. We also work with young women with basic literacy and skills training. We would love to expand and take in more children but we are limited by space and the fear of having to move at a months notice. Hence our desire to build a basic building which will serve as a school in the day time and a home for the children in the evenings.

If you would like to help with the skills and expertise that you have, then give us a call or email us. We would love to hear from you and share our vision for projects in India, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Or if you would like to take an adventure like trekking in the Himalayas …. Well that can be arranged as well. Let us know and we can put your name down for the next trip later in the year. We will keep you informed.

If you are a business (big or small- in the UK or overseas) and would like to support us you can advertise your company for free on our website as supporters of the charity.

If you have seen a need and have a passion to help make a difference then work with us and see if we can together make a difference.

Thank you for your time and look forward to hearing from you.
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If you wish to make a donation, please do so via Paypal on our website http://www.helpinternational.co.uk under Donations. Thank you for your support.

Billy Babu Steps into H.E.L.P. International

Billy Babu, the Midlands well known radio presenter and entertainer put H.E.L.P. International on air to appeal for help with fund raisising for the Salapur project in India. We are grateful for his help.

If you would like to send Billy a message, go to our website http://www.helpinternational.co.uk and click on LEAVE MESSAGE on this website, and Title your message "Message for Billy" and leave a message. He promises to respond to as many messages as he can on radio.

You can listen to Billy on Radio XL 1296 mw on Saturday 8 am till 10 am.

Do not miss him.

Sponsorships help children.

Could you sponsor a small animal or a big animal if that would help a child or two for the price of a few pizzas?

Could you give up one or two nights out per year to improve someone else's life?

Then read our website and find out how you could help.

Website feedback

Had some communication from members of the public suggesting we put online donation forms on the site instead of the pdf ones you have to fill in by hand. Have done that. The reason for using PDF is that the form has to be signed. We have put an online form that only confirms the donation and tells us what the donor wants us to use it for. It is there now.

Thank you for the suggestions.