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The people of Zimbabwe deserve to live in peace... This is our vision –a country in which our potential

is exercised freely and vulnerable households own the process of their own development.

Africa’s ‘breadbasket’

Zimbabwe was once called the ‘breadbasket of Africa’. Prolonged conflict over land, drought and lack of access to health services have reversed this. By 2008 almost one quarter of the population had fled to neighbouring countries. Today, thousands of people remain displaced

and peace is fragile.

CollettaColletta lives in Chirumanzu, a district that was badly

affected by violence. Seven years ago, she was

bedridden with tuberculosis and found to be HIV

positive. Colletta was the sole breadwinner for her

elderly mother, her two sons and her late sister’s two

daughters. She explains: “I found it difficult even to give

my family one decent meal per day. Sometimes I sent

my children to look for food from neighbours. We were

labelled a family of beggars.”

“I couldn’t afford food. I didn’t have money to buy seeds.”

Caritas GweruColletta heard about Caritas Australia’s local partner,

Caritas Gweru. During the political and economic

upheaval, most aid in Zimbabwe was suspended.

However Caritas, through its church structures, was

still able to provide food, temporary shelter, psycho-

social support and peace building sessions. Today,

Caritas Australia continues to support projects across

all eight dioceses.

Life-changing projects

“I realised that the projects being talked about could

really change my life for the better. I knew it was the

only chance to work again for my family,” reflects

Colletta on her decision to join the community garden.

Colletta and other villagers learned to grow vegetables

and medicinal herbs, and received equipment and

seedlings. Slowly, her health improved.

Caritas Gweru’s program not only enhances food security, but enables repairs to boreholes and wells destroyed by conflict and overuse, provides public health and hygiene training, trains builders to construct household latrines and rebuilds livelihoods. Colletta explains: “I was involved in the rehabilitation of

our village borehole and I am on the

water committee – we’ve been trained to make repairs to keep

the borehole working.” Colletta’s

community now has safe water

to drink and to replenish their

gardens.

“My household sanitation has greatly

improved since I received a latrine, a pot

rack and a refuse pit through the project. This

has reduced diarrhoea among my family.”

“I am also a proud owner of two goats, courtesy of

Caritas.” She is referring to the program’s ‘goat pass’

which encourages families to milk and breed goats.

“Caritas has taught us that these projects belong to

us. We care for them in the same way we take care of

our household goods.”

“The fact that we are owners of the projects ensures they’ll continue long after Caritas is gone.”

Healthcare

Volunteers are also trained to provide home-based care

for people living with HIV and AIDS and other illnesses.

Colletta is on anti-retroviral therapy – essential for

those who are HIV positive to maintain their health.

When taken regularly, anti-retroviral drugs can reduce

the amount of HIV in the body and allow its immune

system to recover. Some anti-retroviral drugs can only

be taken after food. Colletta now has enough food

to make the medication effective: “I’m now stronger

and can work in the garden. My family’s nutrition has

greatly improved. I produce and sell excess vegetables

to pay school fees and other expenses. Actually, my

social standing in the society has elevated as others

now respect my family. I believe there is life after (HIV)

infection after all.”

The effects of peace

Slowly, attitudes in Colletta’s community have

changed, health and incomes have improved and

more children are going to school. “Peace gives us

the opportunity to work freely without fear. Families

have more time to work in the gardens and their fields

as a result of water availability, and squabbles have

reduced,” Colletta tells us.

Colletta goes on to say: “I’d like to thank Australians

and request they assist more people so that more lives

improve. I’d like Australians to see how my life has

changed because of the assistance they have given me.”

Your donation to Caritas Australia’s Project

Compassion works towards the creation of the just

and compassionate world that God desires.

Colletta: ZimbabweBrother Blazio, Caritas Gweru

(HSIE/SOSE, RE, PDHPE)

Look at the Photo gallery: Zimbabwe PowerPoint on the DVD/website.

Explain Colletta’s words: “The fact that we are owners of the projects ensures they’ll continue long after Caritas is gone.”

Look at the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) videos at www.caritas.org.au/blueprint

Which MDGs are being supported by Caritas Gweru, and how?

Colletta says that water availability means more time for work and fewer squabbles. Some analysts say that the wars of the next few decades could be fought over access to water.

Watch http://bbc.in/n9vZzl, a BBC video (3:37) about water shortages around the world.

Why do water shortages cause conflict?

Does conflict increase poverty and does peace enable development?

How?

Should we conserve water in Australia, despite floods in the last two years? Why/why not?

Visit our Just Climate campaign at www.caritas.org.au/ajustclimate to find out how climate change affects the poorest first and worst.

For additional activities, see page 8 and www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion.

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