03/27/2019
Pause: Do you know what "Idai" means in the Shona language?
__ begins today.
I am a proud father of six children, so when I saw the picture of this baby and other Idai victims strapped into helicopters after being plucked to safety, words (almost) failed me. “What is in our hands?” I kept asking myself, our staff, friends and you on this and other platforms. Thanks to the generosity of so many Zimbabweans, this little girl was saved and her mother was, too.
The situation is still dire and I’m so proud of my Econet teams this week as they’ve tried to help out, but today I want to announce something new and heartwarming to me as a father... Several of my children have decided together (their own idea!) to launch a new fundraising campaign called Pledge Idai: to help support rescue and recovery efforts underway, as well as help fund the critical work of rebuilding devastated communities which now needs to start urgently.
Their vision is to raise $200k in 45 days to help support humanitarian efforts to rebuild not just Zimbabwe but also Mozambique and Malawi. If you feel moved to help our and communities who have lost nearly everything, please what money you can, and then with others in your own networks and ask if they, too, can .
__You can Donate here now: http://bit.ly/PledgeIdai_TheNextMile.
#1. All the money raised outside Zimbabwe will go to Malawi and Mozambique (except from the Zimbabwean diaspora).
#2. I will donate up to $200,000 to each of these three countries in support of children orphaned by the cyclone.
#3. You can donate in your own local currencies, and we will work to find matching funds through other donors. This will be difficult but not impossible.
idea was 100% inspired by my kids who themselves were inspired by all the local Zimbabweans supporting each other, like those at Highlands Church. I think they also saw the Gogo I featured last week who had walked so far to donate goods to the Cyclone victims and that’s how they thought of that name … She started the walk, now it must continue...
__Many of you on this platform have been asking how you can help. Now you have one answer! I think you can give money in almost any currency.
The funds raised will be professionally administered by the Higherlife Foundation and our UK-based charity called Delta Philanthropies. We have identified partners in each country and will of course report back periodically on what exactly they do with the money. is key.
Now for those of you here who don't know, tropical Cyclone Idai came roaring into northern Mozambique about 14 March, then smashed into the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe with high winds and floods causing huge damage also in Malawi. The aftermath was catastrophic.
- 300,000+ people across three countries were displaced, possibly twice that number or more. Communications are still difficult and road impassable.
- Almost 1,000 people are known to have lost their lives so far with many still missing, washed out to sea or not yet found.
- The UN World Food Program has classified this a level-three emergency (on par with Yemen, Syria and South Sudan).
- Hundreds of thousands of people still have little access to clean water and food which is a huge concern, especially as smallholder crops were destroyed right before harvest.
- The risk of cholera outbreak and spread of malaria, is increasing.
- Infrastructure like roads, clinics, schools, businesses are simply gone in many places, especially in Mozambique, where some villages remain under water in a huge newly-formed lake that was never there before.
The images of destruction are shockingly sad, but amidst it all, I am so inspired by how local people have rallied together and responded so generously. I know there are many worthy initiative out there so let me quickly tell you what Pledge Idai: fund will support:
– Lost people and victims, to give them a dignified burial if they have passed. Also retrieving and cleaning up dead animals to help stop the spread of dangerous diseases that can poison the water system, like cholera.
– Water, shelter, logistics, and also, reuniting families scattered by the disaster.
– Primary health care, schools and safe spaces for children.
-- Preparing communities and strategies for the future so any future catastrophe doesn’t take people by surprise again.
__To answer the earlier question, “Idai” means love in the Shona language... It is a cruel irony to call a killer cyclone “have love”, but we will respond with love for one another.
Together we shall overcome. Please if you can.
Selah.
Image caption: Without the support of thousands of Zimbabweans who made small donations through EcoCash that helped pay for helicopters and all kinds of relief supplies, this child may not be alive today. Every amount you give in a situation like this, even $10 really makes a difference, if managed well. Follow at Cycloneidaifund for more information
