Thanks to the Isle City volunteers: Margaret Seaman, Kimberlee Garfinkle, JoAnn Ainsworth, JuelleAnn Boyer, Dorie Guess Behrstock, Maria Hargrove, Genette Beardsley, Kathy Washington (banner), and President Marion Yeaw. Barbara Lytle gave the volunteers massages.
"The most impressive thing I found throughout the day was that, even the people who just browsed and didn't buy, found it in their heart to give a donation. Or they would make a purchase and say 'keep the change'" said Margaret Seaman. "They realized how bad things are in Zimbabwe and gave from their heart."Sheena Freeman from Kadoma, Zimbabwe BPW writes regarding Isle City's shipment of supplies: The knitting yarn and gloves went to the Kadoma Prosperity Project ladies. The dressings went to a nursing friend of mine who does a lot of work with improverished, elderly people. She has a particular old lady who has nasty sores on her legs so the dressings will be a real blessing. The sheet sets were so much nicer than anything available in Zimbabwe. We have given them to two pensioners who have nothing and no family in Zimbabwe.
Inflation is hammering the people who worked hard and saved for their old age. What should have kept them in comfort, if not luxury, no longer buys a bag of groceries. Many of them have had to use capital to live. Some of them have already used up their capital. It's heartbreaking to see, because they are all so proud and independent.
We can use gloves of all types, from heavy duty household gloves for dealing with soiled bedding and clothes (some people lose continence as they become more seriously ill) to surgical gloves for attending to dressings, etc. There is a great need. We have about 2,500 people per week dying of AIDS-related diseases in Zimbabwe. As it takes about 5 to 10 years to die, you can imagine how many infected people there are, and they all need attention. Many women who have tenderly cared for in-laws and sometimes husbands to the bitter end are now being abandoned by their families when they can no longer care for themselves. This means many are dying prematurely of neglect and starvation. The community often hears about their need only after they have died. The Kadoma ladies are trying to provide a place for the family can bring them when they can no longer cope."
Contributions made be made payable to Isle City BPW earmarked Project Africa. Mail c/o of P.O. Box 1569, Alameda, CA 94501.
"How lucky we are to live in a community which reaches out to help those in need in the global community," said Margaret Seaman.
