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Where is the hope? Civil society and children in Zimbabwe
Jennifer Lentfer
April 04, 2008

I first arrived in Zimbabwe in the mid 90s as a young, naïve university student, curious and open to all that the world had to offer. And at that time, Zimbabwe offered quite a lot - a strong economy based on formidable exports, a literacy rate unmatched by other nations in the region, and people who were proud and welcoming, who had dreams for themselves and their families.

Over a decade later, only one of these remains recognizable to me . . . Zimbabwe-s people.

Though now I have experienced more of the world-s triumphs and disappointments, I believe that Zimbabwe remains a country that should continue to invoke pride in its people. Not because of what now seems like utter economic and political regression, but rather in spite of it.

Zimbabwe today is plagued by shortages - shortages of life-s basics like cash, fuel, food, and most recently, water and electricity. Not to mention the shortage of trust in the formerly strong institutions and leaders that governed Zimbabwe after independence in 1980. These shortages are hard to make sense of in a country whose well-managed economic development once made it a strong, respected nation the world over.

I work for a U.S.-based family foundation that makes small grants to local, grassroots organizations working with vulnerable children in Zimbabwe and elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa. Our grantee organizations in Zimbabwe have struggled tremendously over the past seven years with these shortages and with hyperinflation, at 250,000% in January. Through 2002-s Public Order and Security Act, each one of their activities and meetings are subject to government approval and surveillance. Yet our grantees remain committed to keeping their doors open. This, despite the tremendous burden of what is euphemistically referred to by Zimbabweans everyday as the socio-, economic-, and/or political- "situation."

Our grantees work at the community-level to serve children and their families, providing such myriad services as education support (paying school fees, providing uniforms and materials), counseling for bereaved children who have lost their parents to AIDS, vocational skills training and income-generating projects, abuse prevention and treatment, rehabilitation of street children, provision of anti-retro viral treatment for HIV-positive children, and legal aid on such cases as stolen inheritance. While in Zimbabwe in January, I was astounded by what our grantees must now do to ensure these services continue. Everyday tasks now take so much effort - the steps and details so complicated given the shortages and constraints. Time is never on our grantees- side, especially in dealing with the immediate protection needs of children. Yet our grantees carry on. This speaks of not only their compassion and commitment, but of their remarkable coping and management skills.

What they are able to do is now more important than ever. Children are undoubtedly carrying the heaviest burden of the impact of Zimbabwe-s situation. They are obviously the most disadvantaged by the pressure on families and communities, but also through the "politicization" of everyday life in Zimbabwe and the significant damages to the health and education sectors.

There is no doubt that people are suffering in Zimbabwe. But it is equally true that many people and organizations in Zimbabwe are responding. Civil society, though struggling, remains strong and present. These organizations- efforts must be recognized, valued, and supported.

Now is not the time for the philanthropic or donor community to withhold funding from Zimbabwe. Limited funding or a "wait and see" attitude is a flawed and potentially dangerous strategy, especially for children. True, a foundation-s dollars might not retain the same value as in other countries, but seeing the incredible work of our grantees, I have no doubt that our dollars go just as far.

As philanthropists, our dollars are meant to support societal transformation. In spite of the difficult operating environment, civil society organizations in Zimbabwe are not only providing vital services for children and families. They are also well positioned to ensure this change, both before and after an eventual regime change.

Children in Zimbabwe deserve to have their dreams. And in a time when it is hard to find hope, civil society organizations, both large and small, are building a brighter future through their work with children in Zimbabwe.

Please send comments to: jenlentfer@yahoo.com

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