a Return to Zimbabwe

One might imagine our disappointment. Since November of 2008 we had anticipated our return to Zimbabwe. Pounds of knitting supplies I had lugged, all the way from Anchorage. Much of it donated.

And. In the greedy fervor preceding World Cup 2010, the Zim Parks had raised their rates to .... $100 a night. To camp. In a park that has decayed into sadness. Water pumps don't work. Animals have been poached into hiding. Buildings are rotted, roof structures collapsed, appliances plundered. Rangers have no socks. (socks?) $100. A night.

We paid our $100, US. We could do one night. Godfrey, they informed us, was the camp attendant at Shumba Camp. We navigated the rutted, washed out road, with only a few impala to grace the view.

Godfrey appeared, curious to see visitors. Such a surprised, happy greeting! 'Teacher! You have come!' He has a stoic demeanor, does Godfrey - but happiness beamed just beneath that surface. Quickly, he ran to his camp shack to get his knitting. He had dozens of questions - why put it off?

We managed 2 days, filled with stories and knitting. Many, many thanks to those of you who donated yarn, supplies, and happy energy. Godfrey displayed his work: beanies, felted bags and cell-phone cozies. He sells them to tourists, and sometimes locals. With his earnings, he funds the schooling of his nephew and niece and supports his parents (who lost their entire savings when the Zimbabwean economy collapsed). But the biggest news: he plans to marry, and is saving for a Bride Price!

We also met 'Mixture', who carved a leopard for us, in exchange for a set of carving tools. And the children of Sinamatella.... just see the photo.

Etosha Stories

Namibia in a Nutshell

Forever Desert. Namibia haunts me.

Hello Landy!

Amelia sat outside of Cape Town, waiting patiently. She needed a jump start, some spit and polish, and (empty) bird nest removal. Otherwise, she is poised for the journey! The idea.... North from Cape Town, through Namibia to the Caprivi Strip... a loop through Zambia, down into Zimbabwe to visit Godfrey, then a sublime exploration of the Central Kalahari... finally to Jo'burg where we will again stash our Landy.

All before the World Cup begins.

Karma - la la!

I must be on the Good Karma swing of the pendulum.

Donations of yarn and knitting supplies for my friend Godfrey in Zimbabwe are pouring in.

And Beth Whitman of ''Wanderlust and Lipstick" fame just wrote a chill review of my hand knit bookwraps.

Check it out here: http://wanderlustandlipstick.com/wandergear-wednesday-wanderlusted-bookwrap/

Wooohoo!

Donations for Godfrey

Hey! Do you want to knit a beanie like this one? (check out my November 3rd post about Zimbabwe) You can download it yourself, right here, from the button to the right. (I am getting SOOO tech savvy) It's free..... but there's more to it than that! Read on...

My friend Godfrey spends a lot of time alone as a Camp Attendant in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. He was so hungry to learn, to work with his hands, to create. I taught him to knit, and he was crazy for it! He can sell or trade the knitted items he makes. (although he and I laughed at how knitting makes him much more attractive to the ladies!) But, he has very limited resources available to him in Zimbabwe. He has a set of size 9 (US) 16 ” circulars and dpns, and I just sent him a small box of Patons SWS.

So, I’m looking for donations of yarn, needles and beginning knitting instructions. He wants to learn how to make socks and blankets! These can be sent directly to Godfrey or to me.

I will send another package to Godfrey in June. Perry and I are returning to Africa in January. We have a Land Rover in Cape Town, and will drive through Zimbabwe on our way to East Africa. I will take a care package to Godfrey as well as the rangers of Hwange National Park containing basic supplies such as socks, shoelaces, flashlights, boots, fresh fruit, hats, etc. Godfrey will get the extra bonus of knitting supplies!

Let me know here, in the comment box, what you want to donate, and where you would like to send it.

A letter from Godfrey!

He is alive and well, although quite lonely. He writes us from Hwange National Park ~
(if you want to help me help Godfrey - go to my Etsy shop at www.lustedtowander.etsy.com - I have 'Can't Save Zimbabwe' beanies for sale there, and all proceeds are used to buy supplies for Godfrey!)

The letter:

Hie(sic) Beth

How are you doing my friend? I hope you are well. I miss you a lot teacher!

Yours was received by warm hands with a big smile! I thank you a million times for still thinking about me. I still hear your voice encouraging me to learn to knit. I'm now good in making hats.

The rains are about to end and the music of the elephants & lions has begun. I had to witness a hippo bull killing a week old calf on the 12th of March, here at Masuma. I suspect that the calf was also a bull, its starting to be interesting out here in the bush.

Please could you send me some wool (first preference as I'm now the idol in Sinamatella, the only man who can knit, all the ladies will end up being mine.) (joke) You can also help me with a cellphone. I bought a sim card but I do not have a handset. I also ask for a camera so that I could send you some pictures of what I usually see in the bush. You can also send me your mobile number.

Hoping to see you on your next trip to Africa, I hope it will be soon.

Your friend & student

Godfrey


PS Please send me notes & dvd''s on how to knit some more stuff like socks, blankets, etc. I would like to learn more about knitting.

And this excerpt from Godfrey's letter to Perry:

Dear Perry.

How are you? Hope you are going fit & strong. I was glad to receive one from you and it was well received, thank you very much.

I had a boring Christmas Eve and New Years Day. There were no visitors to the park in December. Now I'm at Masuma it's still quiet. Sometimes I spend a week or so without any visitors coming, but I hope thing will change as we have a unity government and the 2010 World Cup in neighbouring South Africa.

You can't believe it on the 25th of December and 1 January I was alone no visitors at all.

Greet everyone near you, please tell many people to come to Zimbabwe.

Yours friend

Godfrey.