I’m not the world’s best Facebooker. I ignore it most of the time with the occasional looksee every now and again. But one thing about Facebook that is cool is rediscovery of lost friends.
One of these friends is Nyasha. She is from Zimbabwe and we first met back in the wild days of ESL teaching in Japan in the early 90s. Currently she is on a walk from New York to Texas to try and raise money for a plane ticket back to Zimbabwe. I’ll let Nyasha explain why:
I’ve been here many years now, and as most of you know I’ve been homeless and on the streets for quite a number of the last few years. For many of those years I have tried to work with different agencies to get me situated and back into an independent living situation, to no avail. For the past year I’ve been trying to finance a ticket back to Zimbabwe but because of the situation I am in, have been unable to do so. I have tried friends, the Embassy, my Church here in New York, and various social service agencies! Can anyone say IRONY! how hilarious is it that there are so many complaining about immigrants in this country and I can’t get out of it!
Anyway, having knocked around a few ideas, I came up with the idea of doing a cross-country trek. As some of you may know, there is an ex-Giants football player walking across the United States to raise money for the victims of 9-11. This, in all my selfishness, could not have come at a better time! I was planning to walk to Texas, but I figured, here is this man walking all the way across the United States, something I’ve always wanted to do, why can’t I follow his beaten path, so to speak.
Nyasha is asking for donations to either cover general expense on the trip or a donation at the end of the trip (can be per mile or just something to help with the airfare). To follow her journey and be able to donate you need to be a member of the Facebook group “Following in the footsteps of a Giant.” This is invitation only. You can either send a friend request to Nyasha Katedza or if already on my friends list, I can make you a member.
The situation in Zimbabwe is grave and I can understand why Nyasha wants to return, even given the danger. If you would like to help out and on Facebook that would be appreciated.
Nyasha does have her story regarding Zimbabwe but that is for her to tell when ready.
Sent her a friend request on FB, Shaun.
Feel sorry for Nyasha that she is that desperate to go back to Zimbabwe. Personally I do not think this is the best time to be thinking of going back to Zimbabwe. It is better for her to think of how to get back into employment. Find a job, find other ways to make an income and try and get your life back my sister.
If you think things are difficult where you are, then wait until you get to Zimbabwe. There is no food in Harare, no fuel, dirty drinking water, no cash in banks, no electricity imagine what sort of Christmas they had in Zimbabwe.
I support your efforts to fund raise but maybe you would like to think about supporting the suffering masses in Zimbabwe rather than going back there.
Thanks Mark.
Kogy, as I understand Nyasha has made her decision and while acutely aware of the situation in Zimbabwe, feels the need to return.
If you have any suggestions with regards to how LP readers can support those suffering in Zimbabwe that would be greatly appreciated.
I appeciate the responses from Mark and Kogy. I especially appreciate Shaun’s effort to get the word out.
In response to Kogy, I feel that,like many, you believe that America is the land of golden opportunity. In many ways, you are right, but if you are in a bad situation in this country, then you are in a BAD situation. Because America is so rich, the disenfranchised can be overlooked and marginalised. There are millions of poor and homeless in this country. The cities are filled with people on the steets and in shelters and the rural areas, such as the mountains of Appalachia, have a kind of poverty that rivals any third-world country. When you are poor in this country it is very sad because you are constantly bombarded with all that America is.
I am way below the poverty line, and as such, see absolutely no reason to remain here and be an American statistic! I have been told by many people that this is not the right time to return to Zimbabwe. When would be the right time? At least there I have geneological connections!
Received Friendship request. Thanks Mark.
Hi Shaun!!!!!!!!!!!!!