Lots of books from Derby College to Zimbabwe

Derby College library has contributed a large number of books towards the libraries in Zimbabwe, including a large collection of Encyclopedia Brittanica. The books, which were carried in three car loads, have joined the shipment on its way to Zimbabwe by sea, a journey which will take 8 -9 weeks. In the shipment is an assortment of things including, woodworking tools, children's musical instruments, sewing machines, poultry incubators, Jam making kits, school chemistry sets, crayons, pencils, and so on, all donated by someone near you in the UK. The jack hammer for helping in well digging is shipped directly from China. The oil expellers are shipped directly from India.

These simple items will train young school leavers as well as our cared for children, to be self reliant and prepared for independence.

We thank all those who have taken part in this shipment. Pictures will be available later in the year 2012.

Recent Trip to Zambia

H.E.L.P International Trustee, Grace Walsh, has just returned from Zambia. We will be posting her report soon.

Shipment to Zimbabwe in two weeks.

A planned shipment to Zimbabwe is due to leave the UK, China, and India soon. We would like to than all those who have helped with this collection of tools and other equipment. A Chinese company has helped in sourcing and shipping a petrol powered jack-hammer to help with hand well digging in Zimbabwe. This will speed up the process and help to provide clean water for many. The digging team, trained in 2009 can dig to 20 metres depths, using basic digging tools. The machine from China was half paid for by the supplier.

Two small seed oil extractors were sourced from India at a reduced cost than normal. We are very thankful for the help. These will be used to train youth to extract oils from a variety of seeds, as a self help project.

We thank schools and colleges in the UK Midlands for donating books from their libraries, for rural libraries in Zimbabwe. In particular, St Josephs High School, Endon High School, St Margret Ward High School, in Stoke on Trent and Derby College, have taken an active role in preparing this shipment.

We thank The Women's Institute (Blithe Bridge) for their collective donation of sewing machines ad books. These will be added to the Dress making project used by different rural schools in the areas near Chatsworth, Zimbabwe.

We thank all others who have donated a wide range of tools, particularly long awaited Woodwork Tools for our flagship community project.

Where ever you are, we appreciate your contribution.

Zimbabwe News

In Zimbabwe H.E.L.P. Zimbabwe has had a few positive developments as follows:
New school: We were offered a complete but disused school at Chirima near Maraire, 20km south of Chatsworth, by the community leaders. The location has classrooms, staff houses, a borehole and a mains supply of electricity. We are very excited about the prospect and after several consultations, the general view is that the school should be used for training school leavers on vocational courses. We are already moving some of our projects to the new school .

Of particular interest is the woodwork project. Our project partner has started moving some of the operations to the school and we anticipated that the whole project will be based at Chirima by September 2010. In January 2011 the first trainees will start the course. We are looking for volunteers who can teach any aspect of woodwork at adult level. We are also appealing for any woodworking tools of any description. If you would like to have a list of the required tools, please Email us and we will send it to you.

Other projects include Jam making, well digging, dress making, Market gardening, bakery, etc.
How you can help:
Sourcing tools
Volunteer to teach
Source or compile learning materials

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.