Hello All
Its been a long while since we have been in touch with you but the saying goes no news is good news hahaha. Sorry about that, it is due to pressure of work but also to lack of power sometimes. We would still like to let you know how we are doing from time to time and how you are coping with your own problems.
We are all well and keeping busy still. Since the US dollar is now officially introduced we have lots of food in the shops, can quite easily get fuel and even our clothing and electronics equipment is quite easily available. There are long queues of shoppers who frequent the neigbouring countries and bring in anything you want. Our politics is still not resolved and because of this we still struggle on with the normal day to day things. We still experience power cuts, water problems in some areas and our city council is not functioning very well. Garbage is not collected, the roads have pot holes and not all the street lights work. As I think you all know, we recently opened a little hardware to help increase our income and are in the process of getting a shop licence. It is turning out to be a very expensive thing as we had to start off by getting an architect to draw the plans of our building (and i guess I don't need to remind you what they charge haha) for submission to the council. I presume that they are computerising all plans and we have to have three inspectors come in- building, health and fire (i think) before we get the ok. It will then cost a thousand dollars. This is very expensive when we charge twenty-five dollars an hour and still have to stock the place but the staff are wonderful and all come enthusiastically to work every day and that is enough to encourage each and everyone of one of us on. The bills seem to be increasing all the time and we have to minimise to afford them. These bills, such as electricity, water, rates get cut off if you do not pay promptly.
We have read and seen on the television of the extreme bad weather you are having. We hope that you are all coping with that. We could try and send you some sunshine. Any suggestions how we could do that? It would be completely free, large or small quantities and covered with love from Zimbabwe the warm heart of Africa.
Hope you are all well (and warm). Till the next time.
From all the staff at Mardon Plumbers
With a little help..
Some world events are closer to home than others and when we got to know Sammy, the owner of Mardon Plumbers in Harare, Zimbabwe, she lived here in Newcastle. Then, 2 years ago, when the situation in Zimbabwe worsened, she decided to go back and look after her 12 employees in Harare whose livelihood depend on a job with her company. Unfortunately, it didn't get any better since. Zimbabwe is suffering an economic and political crisis, with annual inflation of 100,000%, and unemployment at 80%. There are severe food and fuel shortages and recent outbreaks of Cholera. Some friends and colleagues decided that maybe we could help. Since then we have been supporting Sammy, the employees in her business and their families with fuel vouchers, because fuel is the key not only to transport and enabling business and freeing up resources but these vouchers can be traded for other vital goods such as food or medicine. It works via an organisation called Mukuru that organises the supply of goods and money in some countries in Africa. We buy the vouchers online and Sammy gets a code on her mobile that enables her to pick up the fuel at a petrol station in Harare. Since January 2008 we have been sending close to 2,000 litres of fuel and Sammy has been stressing that every litre of that has helped Mardon Plumbers to stay in business and support the families of the staff. We would like to continue this journey for as long as the situation is precarious. Here is an opportunity to read, comment and maybe join in.
Christoph
Christoph
Monday, 22 February 2010
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