The following is a short story written by Robert McLaren the national director of CHIPAWO. Founded in 1989, CHIPAWO is an arts education Trust that is all about sharing. Children of all backgrounds and abilities from age 4 and schoolchildren of all ages learn to sing, dance, play music, act, make videos and work together, communicate, develop confidence and life skills, build through criticism and so much more – in short, arts education for development and employment. If you would like to make a donation, or support the work of CHPAWO, please contact them here.

ANGEL SAVES CHIPAWO LIFE

If you read the heading carefully you will see that it does not say “Angel saves CHIPAWO’s life”. That would imply that the angel did something to help CHIPAWO out of a sticky situation. No, this angel actually saved the life of a member of the CHIPAWO family.

What happened was this. There is a young lady, a graduate, who works for CHIPAWO as the Programmes Officer, whom for the purposes of this news item we shall call Patience. She was the one who went to India a few months back to teach children Zimbabwean dance and culture. She was also involved in the recent road accident and had her leg in plaster for some weeks. Currently she and her sister are living with me as their family was illegally evicted with many other families from a huge apartment complex by the landlord.

About three weeks ago Patience began to complain of pains, weakness and loss of appetite. I was away and when I returned and heard her symptoms I thought at first that she might be anaemic. She went onto iron tablets and for a day or two this seems to have brought about a marked change for the better.

However on Thursday last week, I was called to fetch her from the office as she was not well. She was shivering with cold and very weak. The next day her family took her to Parirenyatwa Hospital. This hospital is the main referral hospital in the country. If we had abided by the treatment that was dished out to her there, she would be dead today.

Patience and her family spent the whole day at the hospital. The first doctor said it could be malaria. The second said it wasn’t and pronounced with great helpfulness that it was ‘fever’. Even as a layman, I know that fever is caused by an illness and that there are many different types of fever. The ‘fever’ was treated but the cause was not investigated. She bought the prescribed pain-killers and antibiotics and came home.

By next morning it was clear that she was in serious distress. She was panting and could no longer walk. I did not know what to do. I could see she needed professional attention. So I decided to take her to a local private Medical Centre.

Though at one stage in Zimbabwe most working families had some kind of medical insurance, few have today. With the economy slowly stabilising and people trying to scrape together enough to pay the basics, medical insurance is only gradually becoming a possibility again. CHIPAWO had in place a comprehensive group medical insurance scheme for its staff until the big crash earlier this year. Now it has nothing.

Patience’s family had no insurance and so that was going to mean cash on the nail – up front. Whereas Parirenyatwa is affordable by almost all, the local private medical centre can only be accessed by the relatively well-off.

The first down payment was the consultation fee – US$30. But Patience at last began to receive proper medical attention. Meanwhile I phoned her mother and arranged to meet her and bring her to the medical centre. Before we could get back, I got a call from the doctor at the centre, saying that she needed X-rays and a pelvic scan. I told him we were on our way.

When we got there the doctor gave us the alarming news. The patient had septicaemia. He said she had an infection caused by a suspected abdominal abscess. The infection had spread to the blood stream and now was affecting the whole body. At this point one began to fear the worst. She needed to go for two X-rays and a scan urgently.

The bill at the medical centre was US105. The ambulance  would be another US$40. When I said I would take her in Nzou (the legendary 1983 Ford Cortina station wagon), the sister pointed out that Patience really was very sick. So the ambulance it had to be. The two X-rays and the scan were going to come to over US$200 but since it was Saturday and we would arrive after 12 noon there was going to be a surcharge of another US$60.

The cash I happened to have with me – or available for that matter – would cover the costs at the medical centre and the ambulance but there was no money for the X-rays and the scan. What to do? We needed money and we needed it quick.

CHIPAWO had nothing. It was too late to raid the bank and in any case CHIPAWO staff were busy at the National Arts Council’s Jikinya Primary Schools dance competition finals, where CHIPAWO children had been contracted to perform. I seem to have very few friends who are able to help in such circumstances. Those I have were not available.

That is when I phoned the CHIPAWO angel. She is a highly-educated professional, who has supported CHIPAWO, attended CHIPAWO functions and generally shown her appreciation of CHIPAWO’S work over the years. I managed to get hold of her. She was on her way out but agreed immediately, asked me where the medical centre is and drove over with the money. I told her she was an angel. I meant it in both meanings of the word. An angel can be a benefactor as in angels of a particular theatre that they support with yearly donations.

After handing the money over and as she drove away she said: “Don’t bother to pay it back. I know CHIPAWO is poor. Take it as a donation.” I called after her: “CHIPAWO is rich – but not in money.” Laughing, she said “Whatever!” and drove away.

The scan and X-rays revealed that indeed there was a problem in her abdomen. She was immediately sent off to hospital – Parirenyatwa again as it happens. But this time to a specialist who had been well briefed by the young doctor at the centre. She was operated on at 1am this morning and seems to be making a good recovery . Let us hope for the best – and thank the ‘angel’ and the staff of the centre that I believe really did save a CHIPAWO life.

I couldn’t help being struck by the irony of those queues at Parirenyatwa and one or two probably junior or student doctors struggling to attend to all those who needed them and the nice, competent young doctor at the private medical centre, lounging against a piece of furniture chatting with the sister after he had finished attending to Patience. A day’s waiting for poor medical delivery for those who do not have the money and instant attention and excellent care for those who do! And what would have happened if there had been no angel?

In truth, those who have, have and those who have not, have not.

PS Patience was operated on at 1am that night. The operation was successful. She is now out of Intensive Care and recovering well. Hats off to Parirenyatwa after all. The nursing care has been exemplary.

The Harare Residents Trust recently issued this letter to councillors in Zimbabwe’s capital city:

Dear Councillor

I hope this letter finds you well. Firstly the Harare Residents Trust (HRT) is greatly disappointed due to the fact that we just discovered by coincidence about your meeting today. As HRT, we anticipate that as our elected leader you side with the struggling resident of Harare. The residents of Harare are facing serious problems at community level with particular reference to service delivery. Communities continue to bear the brunt of a collapsed road network, street lighting, refuse collection, polluted water, burst sewerage pipes, overgrown grass in public spaces, dilapidated social infrastructure, and unsustainable bills.

Not to mention ineffective representation of residents in local government issues. Below are the suggested figures from communities:

• Refuse – $ 1, Rentals – $5, Water -$2, Sewerage reticulation – $2, Cemetery charges – $10

• Maternity fees- Zero, Supplementary charges – $1, Clinic charges – $1 for consultation

• Parking in CBD – $1 per day, Hall booking – $25

• Library fees -$1 per month, Flea market – to reduce by 50% current rates

• Council schools – to reduce by 40%

• Salaries and administration – the residents want the city to reduce by 20 percent its workforce in the 2011 City budget

The HRT through its community advocacy work is communicating the wish and aspirations of communities. The HRT challenges you to think seriously on these issues or suggestions raised by the communities. This will enable Harare residents to participate in the issues that affect them on a daily basis. This is critical as poor and unaffordable services being offered currently to areas are impacting negatively on the welfare of the vulnerable and disadvantaged members of Harare communities which include women, children, the unemployed youths, the elderly and the disabled to mention a few.

The HRT strongly believes in the principles of social justice, participation, transparency and accountability and these fundamental issues should be prioritized and attended to through your esteemed office. We believe in a “bottom up approach” to local governance rather than a “top down approach”.

It’s “TIME OUT” for ineffective representation at local government level, poor community service delivery and a lack of action on your part as our councilor. It’s also time for you to realize and appreciate that “leadership is more of a responsibility rather than a privilege”.

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) cordially invites you to attend  a public debate on the topic “Prisoners right to health in Zimbabwe challenges and opportunities”

The public meeting will be held at the Book Cafe on the 30th of November 2010.

The meeting will start at 1730hrs through to 1900hrs.

This morning, Newsday reported on the infamous National Youth Service programme, in particular plans to incorporate its graduates into the civil service. The youth service, according to ZANU PF politburo member Jacob Mudenda was established . . .

“to teach the youth political direction. The youths have always played an important role in campaigning for the party. They should also be given jobs.”

With the collapse of the education system and the flight of anyone who is able to the diaspora, Zimbabwe seems to be left with mindless thoughtless zombies. These same zombies, who’s unemployment level is over 90%, are primed for exploitation, whether they themselves recognise it or not.

With the revival, or at least debate about revival, of National Youth Service Centres (no mention has been made about reform) it appears that ZANU PF is readying itself to campaign for the undeclared, yet to be funded 2011 elections. The issue of the ‘people-driven’ constitution, all the rage a few months ago, has been forgotten and given a back seat, even by civil society and MDC-T, who were the biggest proponents of that pointless exercise.

The negotiated settlements, were thrown out the window giving ZANU PF, with it’s militarised institutions the upper hand.

The people of Zimbabwe should be afraid. The GPA doesn’t matter, the Government of National Unity is anything but, and politically naïve opposition parties have learnt nothing from the past twelve years.

As we commemorate this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, I want to think of some of the Zimbabwean women I have met in the course of the year. I will try and give you a snapshot of their lives. These are women who I dare say, will not be celebrating much this year except perhaps being alive.

Martha* is a courageous woman. She was assaulted two weeks ago in Mudzi where she had gone to follow up Sarudzai*, a victim from 2008. When Martha got to Sarudzai’s homestead she was told that Sarudzai had not been back since 2008. I do not know where Sarudzai is living now. I do not know whether she is still alive. I do not know how she is faring. As for Martha, she has recovered from the assault that she was subjected to. She smiles and puts a brave face on it because as she says, this is not the first time. She has had it worse before. My attitude towards the violence she has been subjected to is not as blasé as hers seems to be. I get upset, I get angry and then I am afraid. Afraid for her because, one of these days, they will accomplish what they have spent the last 10 years trying to do. Beat her into silence. Beat her into submission. Beat her to death because with Martha, I am sure death is the only way they will silence her.

Rutendo* knows the pain of displacement only too well. At 64, she had to suffer the pain and humiliation of being gang-raped by boys young enough to be her grandsons. The trauma of that experience lives with her still. None of her close relatives know about her ordeal. She never went back home after that night. Now she goes from relative to relative, living from day to day, wondering when she will die. She wonders if she could be infected but she has not been able to go for tests. It’s a lot for her just to wake up and go about the business of living. Rape is not an event. It lasts a lifetime.

Chipo* is a 33 year old woman. In September, she had not seen her children since December 2009. She could hardly talk about her children without breaking down. They now live in the rural areas with their paternal grandparents and Chipo does not have the money to go and visit them. Her oldest son will sometimes beg some kind adult and call Chipo. He will beg her to come and get them. But Chipo has not been able to get her life together. You see, Chipo was brutally beaten and raped. When that happened, her husband decided he could not live with a woman who had “tasted” other men. He told her to leave. Chipo tried to hang on to her two children, but without a home, it was difficult. She made the decision to take the children to their father because at least he still had somewhere to live. She had nothing. Rape is not just about the woman; it is about the woman, her husband, her family and her children. They too are victims.

Someone else who knows the impact of violence on children is Bertha* who is 44 years old. Her youngest child was 1 month old when she was subjected to brutal beatings and rape. Bertha is convinced that the days she spent sitting outside exposed to the relentless June cold in 2008, as punishment for her and her husband’s political beliefs are what killed her son. I met Bertha just two weeks after she buried her son.  Bertha says her remaining children are so traumatised by the violence they witnessed that every time they see strangers approaching their home, they run away into the bush. One such time her son saw a man they recognised from the 2008 beatings of her mother. He was walking along the road that passes by their home. They thought he was coming for them and they ran off into the bush. Her 7-year-old son fell and broke his arm. Two year after the violence, these children are still traumatised. As for Bertha, she is still trying to rebuild her life. Starting with rebuilding her home, which was burnt down for the 3rd time in August 2008. Violence breeds poverty. Violence leaves victims battling with trauma.

Should l tell you about Agnes*? She was beaten and raped until she lost consciousness.  Her husband’s grandmother found her still unconscious the next morning. She roused her and hid her in the bush. There she was to spend the next 5 days while traditional herbs were applied to try and heal her. You see in the violence, the men who were raping her tore through her vagina to her rectum.  Agnes lost her husband. When he came back, they went for tests and she was HIV Positive. He tested negative. He divorced her. That was in December 2008. Agnes has to live with HIV. She has to go to the toilet often and she is always worried that she smells. That is her daily reality. That and the recurrent nightmares and panic attacks. Did l mention that she has to carefully choose where she walks in case she meets one of her attackers?

I could go on, but l won’t. I am sure you get the picture.

The theme for this year’s 16 Days of Activism is Structures of Violence: Defining the Intersections of Militarism and Violence against Women.

The Centre for Women’s Global Leadership defines militarism as:

An ideology that creates a culture of fear and supports the use of violence, aggression, or military interventions for settling disputes and enforcing economic and political interests. It is a psychology that often has grave consequences for the true safety and security of women and of society as a whole. To embrace militarism is to presume that everyone has enemies and that violence is an effective way to solve problems.

I am sure most of us are familiar with the rhetoric that we have been fed with each successive election. Already this is being ramped up ahead of the rumoured 2011 elections. The Zimbabwe Peace Project in their October 2010 Report state that there have been 47,882 reported violations since 2008. These include rape, assaults, intimidation, discrimination, kidnapping, unlawful detention, arson and torture and displacement. There is clearly an ideology that seeks to create a culture of fear and which supports the use of violence for political and economic ends. Analysts have spoken about the militarisation of the State in Zimbabwe (appointment of the military to strategic institutions like Zimbabwe Prisons Service (ZPS) the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the Central Intelligence Organization (CIO), the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), and parastatals such as the National Oil Company of Zimbabwe (NOCZIM), the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) but have not really examined what it means for women.

The women I spoke about above were victims because they were wives, sisters and daughters and even daughters-in-law of political activists. Others were activists in their own right. Their bodies became canvases on which was inscribed in blood, the messages of hate and violence. Militarisation means increased insecurity and violence for women. It means exclusion from political life. It means a reversal of all the gains that had been made in the past 30 years. It means spending money on the military and quasi-military apparatus and not on the efforts to prevent the deaths of the 725 women who die every year while giving birth.

Section 23A of the Constitution gives everyone a right to participate in the political affairs of this country. Violence negates that right. It drives fear into whole communities. It divides communities. It breeds poverty, disability and death. It undermines the full realization of the human potential in our communities. 23 years after the signing of the Unity Accord that officially ended the military campaign that killed over 20 000 people, the after effects are still being felt. You see, once you lose your father, mother, brother or sister, they remain lost you forever.

But this is not just about the 3 or 6 months in the year where all reason is suspended as politicians fight it out on the community battlefield. A wise person once said, “What people tolerate in peace shapes what they tolerate in war”.  The problem is, with increased militarization, violence will become more and more entrenched and “normalized.”

*Names have been changed.