Finally !!!! At long last the shipment arrived in Harare Zimbabwe. With all the rules, regulations and other red tape this really became a mammoth task getting charity goods into the country. Along with other logistical problems this managed to delay the shipment arrival by nearly 3 months. But as they say in Zimbabwe 'TIA' This is Africa!

With the kind generosity of all those who donated i was able to venture into some of the more rural and somewhat forgotten areas of the country giving quality shoes, clothing, blankets and books. Orphaned children and displaced families who earn little or nothing have benefitted greatly from your help. A number of times i was shown a display of dancing and recited poems in appreciation of the gifts that everyone donated. It really gave the people a sense and feeling of hope that we are thinking and caring for them in these harsh times.

We have now finished collecting! The shipment is being prepared and we collected 3042 pairs of shoes, over a tonne of clothing and 210 blankets. Sorting through the footwear has been a mammoth task but necessary for the shipping documentation as we needed to specify types and sizes! A huge thanks once again to everyone who helped, it’s truly humbling. The shipment should reach Zimbabwe over the next couple of months and an update of the distribution will follow. Thank You.

 

Our campaign is well under way, we have had a fantanstic response from local schools including Winchcombe, Gretton, Cotswold and Gt Rissington where over 1800 pairs have been collected so far. A big thanks to all including AVM shipping of Cheltenham who supplied the recycling bins for collection. Adcocks shoes of Bath rd in Cheltenham have also been busy collecting along with the Evangelic church in Winchcombe and other individuals (too many to mention!!). We are well on the way to reaching our target.

 

Zimbolic has linked up with two highly reputable charities in Zimbabwe to distribute 5000 pairs of used footwear including shoes, trainers, sandals, wellies and work boots.

The devastating economic and political situation in Zimbabwe has created extreme poverty and desperation for its people.  This project aims to help alleviate the problem for those who are unable to afford a pair of shoes.   Our chosen charities Athol Evans (Salvation Army) and Africaid (Hiv Rehabilitation) will assist in identifying and distributing the footwear to areas most in need. The shipment will be dispatched by 20th August 2009.

We are collecting all sizes from child to adult and there are number of collection locations

• Dumbleton Shop, Dumbleton, Worcs
• Royal Oak, Gretton, Glos
• George House, Winchcombe, Glos
• Adcock shoes, Bath rd, Cheltenham, Glos

If you wish to post the footwear, send to Unit2, Elms Farm, Gretton, Glos GL54 5HQ

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Chelsea Flower show was the venue for the launch of our stunning giraffe sculptures. These are hand made by a superbly talented group of artists in Kenya. We received an amazing response from the public and media alike with a full feature on BBC points west.

With the water supply in place and operating well we now have one final task - 'the vegetable garden'. Over the next few months we will supply stakes and fencing, seeds and fertilizer and, last but not least, gardening tools. When complete the children will be able to generate a sustainable food source for their future.

I've just received the photos from the official opening of the project. All the pupils plus 130 locals attended including a number of education officials. I'm told it was a wonderful day with the highlight being the 'switch on' of the tap for cold fresh running water! Its truly amazing how something we all take for granted in the UK can still make such a huge difference in Africa even in the 21st Century.

As far as poverty goes in third world countries, one thing has become very clear to me while working on this project. The 'root' of poverty is not created through lack of food, clothing and medicine but purely through lack of water supply! Water we can drink; with water we can create energy; with water we can irrigate/grow crops which in turn can be sold to buy medicine, educational books and so on. 

  

Well I've just returned from another amazing trip in Zimbabwe. My father Brian and a friend Ross from sunny Scotland joined me for the first couple of weeks. We spent some time with the guys from the workshop and even managed a couple of exciting games of volleyball with the artists which all proved very competitive indeed! We also visited a few stone art studios and came across some really stunning pieces of work that are now displayed on this website, so please take a look.

Finally, after nine months of waiting the borehole has been sunk. I decided to launch this project after visiting my friend George Matangaduras' rural homeland area near Chivu.
My aim is to provide a sustainable food source for the school children. Sinking a borehole for irrigation of the land around the school will enable the pupils to grow their own fruit and vegetables, work as a team and educate themselves in growing crops at the same time.

Due to logistical issues the project has been slow to get of the ground but finally the borehole has been sunk and we are now in full swing! I am visiting for a month in October and look forward to helping the children prepare the land and plant the seeds.

I will update you all in November. If you wish to get involved in this project please e-mail me at eaton_john@hotmail.com

Weeks of preparation, six exhausting days, too much rain but a great success! Chelsea was a fantastic experience and we received a great response to our sculptures and the launch of the 'running ducks'. Thanks a million to all our customers.