On a more serious note

Zimbabwe.
I know that this is a fundraising blog so was against writing anything about Zim, but the situation in Africa has been a huge influence on why I am doing this charity challenge.

Today, whilst out jogging with my brother, a friend's father collapsed and passed away. Out of four of my close friends I went to junior and high school with, I am the lucky one to still have my precious father alive. One friend's dad was murdered during the farm raids. The other two girl's fathers have died from a heart attack / stress. All three men played big roles in Bulawayo's community, they did a lot of good things for the country!
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On Monday in Glasgow I had a cup of coffee with a street fundraiser, she's a local Glaswegian but very up-to-date on the situation in Africa. We talked about how sometimes it can be difficult to live in a country where self-ego and wealth is valued so highly when you know that people not too far away are living a life that is uncomprehendible to some who have never travelled out of 1st world countries.

I often feel quite helpless when it comes to Zimbabwe, my emotions block any sensible thoughts and I am left feeling angry, disappointed and sad. Thank you to the people who do their bit for Zimbabwe ... Sandra in USA, that's you!
However it's easier for me to think about other countries in similar situations. After the Freedom of the City awarded to Aung San Suu Kyi earlier this year I have continued to follow the situation in Burma. This is taken off Damien Rice's website,

12 October 2005 Burma - Some positive news

We would like to thank everyone who has helped with the campaign to free Aung San Suu Kyi (www.actionburma.com). She is still under house arrest in Burma and the work to have her released continues.

We would just like to let you know that there have been some positive changes since her 60th Birthday campaign in June.
Below we have included some notes from the U.S. 'Campaign for Burma'. Some good news:

Birthday wishes for Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi from REM and U2, along with Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan's song 'Unplayed Piano' were beamed into military-ruled Burma via satelite, and the radio station 'Democratic Voice of Burma'.That means the people living in the totalitarian country could hear good wishes from around the world.

On the political front, even Burma's neighbours want Aung San Suu Kyi freed. Unprecedented pressure from Asian Governments and Parliamentarians led to the Burmese Junta's reluctant decision to relinquish it's first oppurtunity at charing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (which is roughly likethe EU for Southeast Asia) in 2006. The move represented the first time that the Asian Governments have stood against the brutal Generals in Burma.

A new 70 page report provides an overwhelmingly compelling case for the UN Security Council to nonviolently intervene in Burma. the report, commissioned by the Nobel Peace Prize recipient Bishop Desmond Tutu and former President Václav Havel, is bringing much-needed international attention to the Human Rights crisis in Burma. The struggle continues!

I have generally kept the 'Zim side of my life' to myself as sometimes when I go into detail about it people often do not know what to say. But everyone learns different lessons in their lives ... what's the point if we don't share them with others. The positive thing I have got from being a Zimbabwean is to Live for the Moment and appreciate the most important things like friendships and time!