POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: Dan J. on September 11, 2007, 03:06:41 pm
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http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=15329.0
I wouldn't have known about this thread unless I didn't read the off topic thing about poor Brittany Spears tragic performance on the Video Music Awards the other night.
Since this was posted in the womens forum, the guys can't repsond to it there.
It puts all my complaining in perspective & the next time something goes bad I'm going to read this.
As a person who has seen the true power that this forum can generate is there anyway we can all come together to help this person in someway???
Dan
(who wants to help, but doesn't know how)
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Thank you for posting that Dan, we dont know we're born.
Laurence
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I am hoping that tendai signs on soon and let's us know how we can help.
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Indeed. I would gladly mail her a care package if she would specify whether it's feasible to do so, and if so what she would desire to receive. It's sad to see one of the few African countries that was the major agricultural center at one time completely ruined by a tyrannical odd man.
In my most whiney HIV-day periods when I was dating the Evil Nigerian he's lash out at me that I had no idea of real suffering a the slums of Lagos. What can you say? -- didn't particularly help my mental state at the time but of course he was correct, though incredibly inelegant in expressing to me.
Bastard. Sadly at times I miss my misery with him. Plus he was so delightful in bed.
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WOW...Thank you Dan, for the perspective...it really has caused me to stop and re-evaluate things here...
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If Tendai would give us a mailing location.....I would gladly mail her a care package.
We tend to take things for granted in the States.
Tendai, I hope you are hanging in there.
- Justin
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Tendai lives under the rule of one of the most oppressive African dictators, Robert Mugabe. The dictatorship comes with all the necessary trappings, secret police, brutality and torture. As tragic as Tendai's story is, and as much as we would like to help, we need to understand the dangerous conditions of a police state. Hopefully, Tendai will be able to tell us how we can help. I know Kate(Penguin) has dealt directly with friends in Zimbabwe, so she should be able to enlighten us to the harsh realities of trying to help Tendai. Till then it's just prayers.
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I privated Ann to ask how we can help if we want to so hopefully we can all contribute in some way.
Are there any relief groups in Zimbabwe that aren't corrupt?
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Since this thread was posted, I've gotten quite a few PMs from people asking how to help Tendai.
I'm afraid I don't know. Tendai hasn't gotten back to us since she posted her thread - and I hope she hasn't been embarrassed by all the attention it's generated. I also hope she hasn't gotten into any trouble for posting what she did. (see Doxie's post if you don't know what I mean.)
Hopefully Tendai will get back to us soon.
Until then we can all still send her love, light and hope, from our hearts to hers.
Ann
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Thanks for posting the link, Dan.
Milker.
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on a side note;
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070911/ap_on_re_af/zimbabwe
J
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Matty the Damned and Tendai exchange the occasional PM and he hasn't heard from her since she posted her thread in Poz Women.
The current situation in Zimbabwe is big news in Australia since we accept white Rhodesians as refugees. I've been concerned about Tendai for quite a few weeks now. As she explains in her thread the circumstances in Zimbabwe are very dire.
I fear greatly for her safety.
As Dox and Ann note there really isn't much we can do in material terms for Tendai. Anything people do manage to send her will just be stolen at Customs. Money is probably useless as well since there is nothing to buy unless you're one of Mugabe's privileged Xanu-PF thugs.
Inflation in Zimbabwe runs at 7,000% officially but in reality it's more like 14,000%.
As with everyone else, Matty the Damned wants to send his love and fondest regards to his mate in Zimbabwe. He hopes she's doing ok and misses her PM's. He wants her to know that she has not been forgotten by her Brothers and Sisters in the Forums.
Also props to Danny for posting this thread. You're a good egg babe.
MtD
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Yeah, Tendai's thread should give all of us a wake up call indeed. Thanks Aunty D and Matty for making things a bit clearer on what is going on over there. I think it is really messed up with all the help we want to give, we still remain helpless. But even the Queen has a heart, if there is anyway to send money, I will gladly go into the good green fund to help Tendai. Hopes she is safe and will post soon....
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This is so beyond sad and tragic. It makes me feel like a ... whatever when I complain about anything. And to think this is only one story out of possibly millions around the Third World. I would cry if I hadn't already become such a hardened cynic, which I felt necessary just to survive myself. She is in my thoughts.
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Tendai lives under the rule of one of the most oppressive African dictators, Robert Mugabe. The dictatorship comes with all the necessary trappings, secret police, brutality and torture. As tragic as Tendai's story is, and as much as we would like to help, we need to understand the dangerous conditions of a police state. Hopefully, Tendai will be able to tell us how we can help. I know Kate(Penguin) has dealt directly with friends in Zimbabwe, so she should be able to enlighten us to the harsh realities of trying to help Tendai. Till then it's just prayers.
Amen, brother. Packages could be confiscated or a surge of overseas packages could draw unwelcomed attention to Tendai. She, of course, would be the best judge on how we go about helping her desperate situation.
Money sent would have to be exchanged first as she has a hard time just getting to work each day.
A very sad situation. Hopefully she will be able to respond soon........to guide us in a way that we can respond to help her.
xxx,
Mike
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Pragmatic as ever. Hopefully, we will be able to help. Good to hear from Tendai.
http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=15329.msg196428#msg196428
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Hie everyone
I want to say thank you all for the kind thoughts and words and all. I hope that things do get better soon, cos as much as we are a peace loving nation i think there will come a point where people will say its enough. its just that honestly 99% of us are REALLY SCARED of these police guys and soldiers. running in the streets demonstrating will most definately get u the beating of yur life and so people are like "its no use u get crippled or killed for nothing". Nothing we can do will change anything. we're just waiting for nature to take its course cos i dont think theres a chance we can humanly get a change of leadership. we've tried believe me. Our now ex-Arch Bishop Pius Ncube tried praying - didnt work. Others plotted coups - didnt work. Bob's probly gonna live to be 100 years old the way he's going. See him disembarking nimbly down a plane like he's half his age. I heard his grip when shaking hands is like iron and hes 83! Its almost supernatural (but i wont go there).
But Matty dont worry too much about safety. as long as u dont go around talking badly about Bob u're ok. At least i believe so. We do discuss the state of things but in private with friends and family. u cant go into a bar and say whatever u want coz the person sitting next to u may be CIO and u can get yourself into trouble. And as long as u avoid political gatherings and demonstrations even as a spectator cos teargas doesnt care that u're not actively involved in something.
but hey, the night is darkest just before dawn. Maybe soon we'l be singing a different tune. God knows what He's got planned for us.
Once again, thank you all for caring. but i dont really know about sending things, cos they really might disappear on the way. i did give Ann an address though
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Tendai,
Matty the Damned will worry about you regardless. :-*
Be well mate. :)
MtD
(Who thinks of Tendai daily)
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Good to hear from Tendai. Girl, I wish you would join us again in the women's forum. I'm very concerned about you and would love to help anyway I can. Sending you peace and love :-*
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It sure sounds like Tendai lives in part of hell... right here on earth. With all the assassinations and such going on, it's amazing this guy hasn't been taken out by now. I agree; she knows best how and if we can help. If there is a way, I imagine we'll all do what we can. Maybe package her up and ship her out to a better place would work! ;) I honestly can't imagine what it's like there.
David
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OK, I have my reply screen up, and draw a blank......................................................
On one hand, we have one segment of our family joining up in one of the most accepting and nurturing cities on the planet for HIV+ people; while on the other, one of our members is fighting for her very life.
On one hand, many of us are struggling in our current life to manage to keep our bills paid, while not loosing our internet connection, cell phones, and car insurance; while on the other hand, one of our members is struggling to keep food on the table for her family.
I have lived with these dichotomies for most of my life; having grown up in a place just a country or two north of where Tendai lives. However, I have never been able to get the severity of the difference of our way of life, compared to those I used to play with as a child, across to this society. Nobody knows, except possibly those who live in the vast expanses of the American Southwest or those living in the backwoods of the east coast mountains; the incredible struggle that these people have to deal with DAILY!
Tendai, I don't know if you understand Swahili, but I must say, "pole sana". I can remember what it is like there, and while the surrounding countryside, and the mountains of the Great Rift are so stunning that they can take your breath away; nevertheless, fighting to feed your family in a country that is so inherently rich as Zimbabwe, must present you with constant struggles. Like you, I trust that this old coot will someday pass on to his destiny, but in the meantime, it is so very important for those of you in your circle keep each other hopeful and positive. You sound like you have an incredible will and a spirit of steel when dealing with the everyday challenges, so I trust you will come out the other side with the promise of a very positive future. I find it so frustrating that my former neighbors to the south are struggling to make ends meet, when your country is one of the most rich in that area of the continent, and yet there is nothing I can do but pray and hope that soon your struggles will be over.
I've said enough, and cried even more, so I will cut this off, sustain my hope, and gain peace from knowing that words and thoughts "ARE POWERFUL".
From the depths of my heart,
Love,
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I don't know if anyone is interested in this stuff, but if you are
Lots of articles/reports - The Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/zimbabwe/0,,181131,00.html)
SW RadioAfrica (http://www.swradioafrica.com)
ACTSA (http://www.actsa.org/Pages/Page.php?pID=1024&title=Zimbabwe) with campaign/lobbying info, including the (important) Dignity!Period campaign
For people in London, if you get a chance - Zim Vigil (http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/index.asp)
Kubatana (http://www.kubatana.net/index.htm), online community for Zim activists/NGO network alliance project
Email/write/generally bother you MP, MEPs, UN, Senators, your religious group, people in fancy suits, whatever. Ask them what they are doing, ask them to get involved. Keep reading, keep talking about it. In the uk, there are many organisations which support people forced to leave places (I don't much like the term refugee, but, yes) - find them and get involved.
Amnesty International (http://web.amnesty.org/pages/zwe-220307-action-eng)
etc have lots different e-campaigns/information resources too.
UPS and Fedex ship to Zimbabwe. This is, in theory, a more secure way to send stuff - the postal service is just very hit n miss. Things have a predictable habit of not ending up where (or with whom) they're supposed to. Packages often been opened, stuff taken out etc
I've found the most reliable way to send stuff is FedEx International priority service/UPS equivalent,which takes about a week from the uk, and is an addressee signed-for service.
My opinion, sending money into the country, in any shape or form, just props up/prolongs the dire economic situation (plus, not much to buy)
Sorry if some of this don't make sense,post-dialysis fuzziness.
I wish you and Zimbabwe strength to see better times, tendai - always good to hear from you :)
kate
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Here's a thought. Maybe it would be better (once Tendai okays it) to sort of have a central location to ship to defray costs. Peeps could send stuff to a member who would be willing to box it up and ship it, set up a paypal account etc. I could envision a US, European and maybe Australian location. Hopefully Tendai could make a list of non perishables she needs that might get through customs without too much hassle. Stuff that wouldn't raise eyebrows or get confiscated or stolen. It's a start, what do y'all think? The time for hand wringing is over. Hang in there Tendai.
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I'm so saddened to hear about your situation Tendai. Robert Mugabe is one of the most despicable human beings on the planet. I'd like to help send something over to Zimbabwe if we can arrange it.
Chris
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How rare it is that a post comes along that really rattles me to my bones, and puts everything in perspective.
If we can help collectively, please count me in.
Until then, a prayer for you and your countrymen, Tendai.
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My bf works for a pharmaceutical company who ship wordwide on a daily basis. Theyre pretty philanthropic and are willing to be point of sending for care packages/excess meds if its all done properly. Theyre in Uk but opening US office in October, so will supply address ASAP. They are willing to set up a unique address for this as they can get tax back etc...what about this idea? They wont profit anything by way
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I just heard 10mn ago a piece about Zimbabwe which explained the situation exactly like Tendai's post, on PBS (Public Radio). They recommended a website to send rice & other stuff:
http://www.sadza.com/
Apparently this website is used by many outside Zimbabwe that want to send food to their loved ones.
I don't know if the radio broadcast will be on the PBS radio website, I'm sure it must be somewhere. If you find it, post the link it's a very good piece.
Milker.
/edited for typo/
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M: Just visited the website. If it's for real, what a concept! I wonder if Tendai knows anyone who's received goods this way. Searched for the radio broadcast link, no luck. Hope someone finds it if it's up yet. Em
Coming from PBS I believe the link they gave is very serious. I don't know if it was a national piece or just from san diego, but I will call kpbs in san diego this week if we can't find the podcast.
PS: when they made the interview, the price of rice was $93. Now it's $130. The guy who runs the website says that once the goods are ordered they do not up the price, they deliver at the price it was ordered.
Milker.
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That website is fantastic, Milker.
If Tendai agrees and will give us the honor to help with some basics, it seems that it would be worth a try through the website.
I did a quick online UPS quote today, and it would cost nearly $575 to send a 25 lb. package (24" x 18" x 12") from Seattle to Harare, which seemed formidable.
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The guy in the interview said he's getting the goods from neighboring countries hence the cheapest price. I'm not sure how he guarantees delivery though. What troubled me in this piece was that I thought I was hearing the exact same thing that Tendai posted almost word for word, the inflation, the empty stores, the quest for basic food, it seemed so close to me.
Let's see if Tendai can get a connection and talk to her about this, she may have heard of it. I hope it's genuine and we then can team up to help.
Milker.
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I think we should try and begin this on a small scale and see how it works. Kate sent me a PM and here are some of the items she sends to her friends in Zimbabwe
I usually send things like packets of sugar, coffee, couscous, quinoa, dried soup/milk/egg substitute, cocoa, flour, little packets of nuts & dried fruit, protein bars, stock cubes etc.. and then things like tylenol, immodium, dioralyte, tampons etc -
I envision setting up something along the lines of the "meds" closet that we already have in place. We get a list of needed items, put the care package together and through donations pay for the shipping. It makes no sense to just send stuff willy-nilly. If we can organize AMG, certainly we can do this. I do think Tendai's input is imperative to our success. We need to try and set up a contact person that can get all the details. Any volunteers, or should we just wait to here from Tendai?
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The Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report says today that more than 3,000 die weekly in Zimbabwe from AIDS-related conditions, that 70% of hospital admissions are AIDS-related, and that there are at least 300,000 Zimbabweans in need of antiretrovirals.
This is unspeakable horror, plain and simple.
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Amen Hal! I like your idea very much. Maybe we should waite for Tendai to let us know what she needs.
Nothing against Jesus Sanchez, but Tendai's life in Zimbabwe is the type of story that deserves a cover on POZ magazine.
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Wow this is very sad. Let me know if you find out a way to help
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Sadza.com, if they are trading again, great, look into this..not sure how they doing it though, cos the other similar companies either have ceased trading indefinitely, or have very little on offer due to the shortages
(today's fact - "sadza" is a shona word for a kinda thick maize porridge, polenta/grits prob closest likeness? very important food)
[I can’t really work out how to say this next bit in any other way, so, sorry, kinda blunt perhaps]
Some people need to understand some things, like, this ain't just happened or owt, this has been going on for years (admittedly getting worse though) Like darfur hasn't just happened, or RoC, or sierra leone, or AN Other Place where there is oppression & violence & nightmares
Sending a care package don't really change much. You don't just do this once, either, & you have to accept the reality that sometimes things just may not get there at all. It requires quite a lot of planning, thought, resources, group effort - like hal's good suggestions. If you're willing to do this, and tendai, you want this to happen, great, good (and if you don't want this, tendai, please feel able to say that too, eh?)
Some people, though, I would suggest the most useful thing you can do for Zimbabwe is just starting to read a newspaper (proper one please), or listening to world radio, or writing some letters.
kate
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Further to previous...UPS to Harare...the chances are EXTREMELY high the parcel would go AWOL anyway, (and if did get delivered recipient could make themselves a target) so dedicated, proven sites a much better idea. On UK news 24 last night...Harare has no power 12 hours of each day minimum, the supermarket shelves are bare, and people are dying from scurvey, let alone 'the virus'. The reporter risked her life to get undercover report out as Zimbabwe have banned BBC and all other news agencies who dare to disagree with government.
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In respect to Tendai
and Dachshund's request, I have withdrawn my post.
xxx,
Mike
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Unfortunately we need to drop this and refrain from posting about the topic. I'm sure everyone one can respect the sensitivity of this subject and not bring it up again. Not even to ask why.
Thanks,
Hal