Zimbabwe & South Africa

It has been a LONG time since I have sent out an e-mail to Melanie’s Adventures… but I was inspired to after this trip (I have already been back a month, but things have been crazy,and I almost didn't send this), and I have been asked by many how my trip to Zimbabwe (and Cape Town, South Africa) was last month (Sept 28th - Oct 10), so I thought I would send something simple – if you have time and want to check out a few things.

Carolyn Schrader in my Rotary Club (The Denver Mile High Rotary Club) has been a huge part in a Rotary 3 H Grant (Health, Hunger, Humanity) which is a $330,000 grant. She has done an amazing job educating women in the areas of Harare, Zimbabwe. A group of Rotarians decided to go visit to help celebrate all the work that has been done.

While there, I had the chance to visit a hospital – maternity ward – where the Water Well has run dry and we may even do a small grant to get the water running again for the future.

We also had the chance to interview the women in some of the communities about their experiences with the Self Help Groups – their businesses and how it has affected them, how they are able to now save money and support their families. We have several videos of some of the interviews.

Here are the links to the two women that were taped during their interviews.


http://youtu.be/JWa5Y_dM_a8

Zimbabwe Community Empowerment - http://youtu.be/Gie4NIntCUQ

We were hosted by the Rotary clubs of Harare through the time we were there – from dinners, rides, wonderful hospitality. The people of Zimbabwe were so happy we were there to visit and had traveled so far to do so, as their country has been through so much the last 10+ years. Here is a video from a BBQ at the Botanic Gardens - http://youtu.be/cs57yne6sC0

We were there for the community - Project Celebration on Oct. 3, 2012: - Here is a video – (and all the videos) Steve Sehnert has spent so much time putting together.

http://youtu.be/J590OPWipuA

Mama Africa - this was fun - we were out for dinner - some African music, they got myself and Beth Wexler up there to dance http://youtu.be/6DKCSW4y2q4

Victoria Falls is amazing!!! If you EVER have the chance to visit, I highly recommend you doing so! Next time I go back, I think I will also plan a Safari -

http://youtu.be/lwbXlL8zpoY

While at Victoria Falls we signed up to Zip Line over the Gorge…. this was one of my favorite things – it was so much fun!! Have a look! http://youtu.be/yS6PWuO8tP4