Melfort Glen November 2000
November 2000 Update
At the present time the economic state of Zimbabwe is in a serious state - Inflation is about 70 percent and the Zimbabwe Dollar continues to drop against World Currencies. Unfortunately no matter what we think of the political situation there the people who are suffering the most are unfortunately the poorest members of society and these include the residents at Melfort Glen.
Last month in October the price of bread was suddenly increased by 30 percent and this resulted in a large number of riots in the major cities. Payments from the Government for the elderly are still many months in arrears and do not keep pace with the cost of living index which is soaring.
When I visited my parents in August I went over to Melfort Glen on only one occasion as petrol was and continues to be in very short supply - the residents are all being cared for despite the economic conditions and friends, local farmers and sponsors continue to ensure the wellbeing of the Home.
To give you an idea of how bad things can be on occasions, while I was in Zimbabwe one of the elderly residents passed away at 2am in the morning - the local Social Services were unable to collect her body to go to the Mortuary some 40kms away and the Superintendent rang around to try to get help - The police had no fuel and so Members of the Committee were each phoned to see if they could help. It took a great deal of phoning but my Mother was able to eventually get the local police to go out but this did not happen until almost 24 hours after the resident's death. There are no ambulances which can come out to assist !
The Committee would like to ensure that events such as these do not occur but until the situation improves or until money can be found to get transport and to get a driver things remian difficult.
Number of residents are standing at about 40 at the moment.
I am planning to visit my parents in December for the Christmas period and will be going out to Melfort Glen to help ensure that they have a good Christmas Party - always a highlight of the year for the elderly there.
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