Zimbabwe Pensioner Support Fund

ZPSF Easter 2012 Trip Report

pensupzim@vodamail.co.za — Thu, 10 May 2012 11:04:00 GMT

ZPSF TRIP REPORT MARCH/APRIL 2012

Compiled by Boet Holmes

Monday 26^th March

I set off on my 10^th trip to Zimbabwe with the Zimbabwe Pensioners Support Fund. This was to be a 3500 Kms trip to the Eastern side of Zimbabwe, and I was to be the “co-pilot” with Attie in the UD80. After arriving in Malelane at 15:30 we checked the trucks, had a shower and a good dinner, and Hannes and I slept in the Warehouse that night.

Tuesday 27^th

We set off at about 8am, Hannes driving the UD90, and myself driving the UD80, and refueled at Nelspruit, proceeding to Duiwelskloof to pick up Attie, and then on to Musina for the night. In Musina the truck is parked in the NG Church yard under guard for the night – many thanks to the people concerned and we are looked after at the Camerons, who are always an excellent host family there.

Wednesday 28^th

At 0530 Hannes and I walked to the Church to bring the Trucks to the Camerons. Unfortunately the UD80 did not want to start, the battery was at fault. Hannes and I managed to push start it!! We left in good time and managed to get through the border without too much hassle, having to keep the UD80 running all the while, to try to charge up the battery. Unfortunately this ploy did not work and in the end we had to buy a new one in Beit Bridge, at a very inflated price. Finally we were on the road to Masvingo, and making good time were able to off load all the Masvingo boxes the same afternoon with the grateful help of Lulu McKenzie and her helpers. This meant we were able to spend the night at Gerhard and Trudie Burger’s home knowing that an early start would help us the following day. Gerhard and Trudy were away, but they always allow us to stay over, and leave a good meal prepared. What would we do without these wonderful hosts.

Thursday 29^th

The aim today was to get to Mutare in time to off load there and spend the night with Des and Sally Becker. So we departed at 0400, did the Chivhu drop at 0600 and arrived in good time in Mutare and were able to off load the boxes, had an excellent lunch, and even a short siesta – and then collect all the empty boxes. This meant that we were all ready for an early start the next day – always nice to get off to a good start. Des and Sally, as always, provided us with an excellent supper, and a really pleasant evening with good coffee, food and great company.

Friday 30^th

Today we again departed early at 0600 and the route included the drop off of boxes at the Rusape Home, Rest Haven on to Harare to leave the boxes with Mike and Marion Futter (they do the distribution in Harare for us) and then on to Kadoma for the night. In Rusape we did the off load, and then we have to stay a while for our Tea, cake and a chat with the folk there. What always moves me is that no matter how little these old folk have they insist that they share with us what they do have, and they do so love to chat to someone different. God bless these dear souls. In Harare we dropped the boxes at the Futters, who also do such a lot to help us, and then refueled the truck thanks to Jim Forrester, another donor who does so much to help our cause. Then it was off to Kadoma. Here we stay with Clive and Estelle O’Reilly. We had another excellent stop over with the O’Reilly’s, who, like our other host families, always treat us so well.

Saturday 31^st

We left Kadoma by 07:30, heading for Bulawayo. We called in at Kwe-Kwe, because we had a Blood Pressure monitor for Pam Evans, this monitor was donated by our “Friend in Dubai”, Cheryl Robertson, to help Pam, who checks the older folk so that they don’t have to keep paying at the Chemist or Doctor for these services. Unfortunately Pam was not available. It is donations like this that make such a difference.

One of the main reasons for us making the detour to Bulawayo was to go and visit “Tannie Koekie” who has been one of our faithful “Hosts” in Bulawayo for many years. She has been ill recently, and has had to have an operation.

We were able to see her, and although still very weak, she was very pleased to see us. Attie had made an appeal in SA for some funds to assist in the Medial expenses, so we were able to hand over R14 000 that had been donated by people around the globe. There is still a great need for this cause and money is coming in. Thank you all for caring. Attie and I spent the night at the home of my good friend Kathy Booysen. Kathy has made her home available to us while she is still in Zim as she will be leaving for New Zealand by the end of this year. We will miss her dearly.

Sunday 1^st April

This was to be a day off for us, ready for the long trek home the next day. We managed to visit Tannie Koekie again and can report that there is a great improvement in her condition. We spent the rest of the day relaxing for the long road home the next day.

Monday 2^nd

Up at 03:30, collected the truck from Coronation, and on the road by 04:30. We were through the Bridge in good time, and arrived safely in Duiwelskloof in the afternoon, where I spent the night with Attie and Liz, and where the UD80 and I were to part ways until next time.

From our view of the countryside it seems that some areas have had quite good rain this year, but some are still very dry. As usual it is the South that is drier, with the area from Beit Bridge to The Lion and Elephant very dry, no grass, and the trees have few green leaves. Further North, good grass could be seen in many areas, we also saw some tobacco crops that were in good condition, and a few good crops of maize where they were irrigating. We had good rain while we were in Kadoma, and then all the way to Bulawayo.

The roads have had no significant work done on them at all, and the potholes in many instances are worse than ever.

I arrived home on Tuesday, tired and glad to be home again, but as always will be ready to do another trip whenever I am needed. Getting my heavy-duty license had been good for me – it is so much better for Attie and I to be able to share the driving, it is so special to be able to help in this amazing cause. It is impossible to describe to anyone the feeling that one gets from doing something so worthwhile after retirement. I will always be thankful to Hannes, Attie and the Fund for giving me this opportunity, and to the Good Lord for keeping me fit, and well to do this work.

Thank you, Boet.

INSERT by Pst Attie Botha.

This was the second trip after my knee replacement operation and although I did some driving, Boet did the “ lions” share of it. It was a good trip, but spoilt by the amount of deaths of some of the oldies we have grown to know and adopt as family. Having lost both my parents you get to see attributes of “Mom and Dad” in many of them and when they pass on it’s real hard. What often makes it worse is that they have sons, daughters, brothers and sisters who left them there, never contacting them again.

I specially want to thank everyone who donated towards in Koekie Koekemoer’s plight. The response was awesome and I know that many of you gave over and above your normal donations, a sacrifice very much appreciated. You are all precious to us and to the oldies of Zimbabwe. She is getting better each day, is in the Edith Duly Home, Bulawayo where she is being cared for until she is strong enough to go home. We have attached a thank you note from her as well as a photo, which I took when Boet and I visited with her. Her medical bills are still very high and what we collected was just a drop in the bucket. If anyone still wants to donate towards this plight, please contact Liz or myself. Our prayers are with you all and will continue to carry you, your families, and your businesses to our God and trust for protection, guidance and favour.

Thank you to ALL our regular donors whether you support us financially or in some other way to help us to keep this organization running. A special thank you goes to Frans Prinsloo of Louis Trichardt who filled our trucks tanks this trip so that we could carry on and also to Flores Venter of “Bosbult Milling” Polokwane, for their donation of Maize Meal. …bless you guys!!

May our Lord keep and prosper you ALL in everything you do for us as a Fund.

Blessings

Pastor Attie Botha. Cell : (+27) 829012291 email : thebothas2@telkomsa.net

Hannes & Sune’ Bulawayo Trip March/April 2012.

We left early on the morning of Tuesday the 27^th with Linda having made sure both the trucks were loaded and ready for the road on Monday already. Hannes did his route with Sune’Venter (RSG) without any hiccups. Their route consisted of doing Kings Haven Cottages in Esigodini, Gwanda, Verity Amm, Coronation cottages, Edith Duly, Queen Mary home, Barbara Burrell home for the blind, Masonic lodges, and SOAP in Bulawayo, Huisvergesig, Anna Scheepers private boxes, Bogies Trust and SOAP in Gweru as well as MUUS Home in Sherugwe and with the help of John and Lyn D’Ewes serve the pensioners in private homes in Zvishavane.

He also did a slightly extended version, offloading at Sunningdale, Westview Homes, Johan Haasbroek in Kadoma, Lynbrook Homes, Hurbert Lee.

As usual we brought much joy to many of the oldies who were very happy with the delivery of our yearly drop of chocolate Easter eggs along with their hampers which were well in time before Easter. As one or pensioners said “they seriously doubted whether the eggs would make it to Easter”. It is amazing how something so many of us take for granted can bring so much to to someone else.

The folk country wide, always ask us to thank YOU, the giving public of South Africa and all our overseas supporters for your generosity.

Every trip we have the sad news that some of these special folk have passed on, and as said before they become our friends and family, and this trip was no different, we have also gained some new pensioners. As you know our list is ever growing and changing. Thank you to our admin lady who manages (most of the time) to keep our lists updated and correct.

On this trip we again covered more than 6,500 kms using around 2000 litres diesel fuel serving 28 homes, kitchens & organizations, feeding close to 1650 people who without your help would be facing starvation, their word, not ours.

Once again we thank all our donors, supporters, well wishers and prayer warriors for your faithful support without which we cannot do.

Special thanks this trip to the following folk who donated goods for the fund:

· Bosbult Milling. A generous donation of maize meal.

· Schoeman Boerdery. A generous donation of maize meal.

· Tiger Brands A substantial Donation of Marshmallow Easter Eggs

· Frans Prinsloo Fuel donation

Also a big thank you to Edna Minnie (nee Bloem) who is 84 of Johannesburg, who knitted 30 pairs of bed socks for the frail care in record time, All of you are “STARS”

Please note, we appreciate all our donors, none are excluded. You are a wonderful group. To all our regular supporters, donors, prayer partners and friends we say a special thank you again and speak our Lord Jesus favour and abundant blessing on you all. As I have always said and again now declare, you are the ones that make it all possible. You are the ones that give us the ability to do the work.

Due to time restraints and so on, there have been delays in collections from Johannesburg and KZN, these collections should hopefully take place shortly. We are planning a trip to KZN to do pickups by Daniel within the next 2 weeks.

Once again, many, many thanks for your kindness and please keep us in your prayers.

God Bless you all.

Hannes Botha

084 589 3221 pensupzim@telkomsa.net

From the Office:

Dear Friends,

Just a small note to inform everyone of our upcoming winter Trip to Zimbabwe. We are planning on leaving Malelane on the 12^th June. However with this being a very cold and miserable time for our elderly pensioners I am trying to raise funds to increase the amount of Soup and Soya that we can put in their individual boxes. And especially for the SOUP kitchens we support. For a lot of people the only meal they eat every day is from these kitchens.

The UD90 is also in desperate need of 3 new tyres, here we are looking at about R7k per tyre. This is a large chunk out of our budget. Please if anyone would like to contribute towards the tyres, if when you make a donation if you can use your contact number and tyres as a reference.

So come on guys every little bit helps, PLEASE help us to keep our GOLDEN OLDIES warm and healthy this winter. I have about 2 weeks to get in the donations as we are getting ready to start purchasing the goods required and then we are on to the packing again.

We are currently supporting just over 1650 pensioners in 28 homes, this is about 40% of our target base. We also support SOAP in Bulawayo and have helped to set up a system similar to SOAP in Gweru, Zvishavane, Masvingo, Red Cliff, Kwe Kwe and Kadoma to cater for pensioners that are not in old age homes as well. We are an officially registered Non Profit Organization and Section 21A in South Africa and are registered with SARS as a Public Benefit Organization in terms of section 18A the Income Tax Act (Which means all donations are issued with a Tax Certificate and can be claimed back). PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE A TAX CERTIFICATE STATING ALL YOU DONATIONS. I am currently busy with the past financial years certificates as many of you know by now.

Our web page is http://zpsf.terapad.com, all updates are also loaded directly onto our site. We also have a Face Book group and Cause Page as well, please look us up. We welcome anyone who wishes to come and see our warehouse and what we do. We also finally have a PayPal account that is open and linked to our web page giving you the option of a once off donation or a 6 months subscription with 4 different amounts.

We appreciate any and all support received as every little bit helps us to assist the people of Zimbabwe. As you are aware it is solely your donations that keep us running. PLEASE IF YOU DO DONATE IF YOU CAN USE YOUR PHONE NO. AS A REFERANCE OR SEND ME A QUICK MAIL SO THAT WE CAN TRACE THE PAYMENT CORRECTLY AND PERSONALLY THANK YOU.

Once again a VERY BIG THANK YOU to all our supporters. May GOD bless you all.

Kind Regards

Linda Schultz

Fund Raising & Awareness for the Zimbabwe Pensioner Support Fund

(C) 079 6082676

(T) 013 7900934

Fax to Email - 086 267 8499

pensupzim@vodamail.co.za

Section 21 Co Reg. 2007 034036/08

NPO Number 096733

Section 18A PBO No 930031642

http://zpsf.terapad.com / www.zimpen.co.za

ZPSF Feb 2012 Trip Report

pensupzim@vodamail.co.za — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 09:06:00 GMT

ZPSF TRIP REPORT FEBRUARY 2012

Compiled by Boet Holmes.

After a break of some months I once again went on one of the Zimbabwe Pensioners Support Fund trips to take food parcels to the pensioners of Zimbabwe. This was to be a very different trip for me – I was to be Chief Driver, promoted from Chief Labourer!

I arrived in Malelane on Tuesday 14^th February, to find that both trucks were loaded and ready to roll. This is thanks to the work of Hannes, Linda and the staff. I slept at Malelane, thank you Linda and Johan, and we were ready to leave early on Wednesday.

Wednesday 15^th - After refueling at Nelspruit, with Hannes driving the UD90 and myself driving the UD80, I picked Attie up at Duiwelskloof after lunch, and we managed to get to Musina at 19:30. Henry and Elizabeth Cameron provide us with accommodation in Musina, and after a long day – approximately 12 hours of driving to get there, their kindness in providing not only a warm welcome and a fresh room, but a great supper is always appreciated. This was also Attie’s first trip since his knee replacement operation so he was somewhat frail. He came on board with a special platform to elevate his legs as better blood circulation was needed and his newly modified leg needs to be kept up.

Thursday 16^th – After wonderful coffee and rusks with Elizabeth and Henry we collected the Truck from the local Church, who had provided a safe home for the trucks that night, and proceeded to the border. The crossing went off smoothly, and by 11am Attie and I were on the road to Masvingo, and Hannes heading for Bulawayo. The road was quite busy, but we arrived at the home of Trudie and Gerhard Burger at 16:20. They are one of our regular host families, and they always provide a welcome shower (water and electricity allowing!) a good bed, and a hearty supper. A quick chat after supper and then bed.

Friday 17^th – After breakfast we offloaded boxes with Lulu McKenzie early, Lulu co-ordinates and distributes the boxes in the Masvingo area on our behalf. We were on the road by 08:30, with our “Padkos” from Trudie on board. Our next stop was Chivhu, here we stop on the road, and here the De Klerk family collect boxes at the truck and distribute them to the pensioners in that area. We proceeded to Mutare via Nyazura, and we arrived at about 15:30. In Mutare we sleep at the home of Des and Sally Becker, another host family where we are always “spoilt rotten” We went to a Quiz evening, which was most enjoyable, it was arranged by Des and Sally, and the proceeds go to the local Hospice.

Saturday 18^th - In Mutare, Attie, Des and I, with help from Des’s staff, distribute the boxes to the homes, using our truck and Des’s vehicle. We delivered to Strickland Lodge and cottages, Park Cottages and Murambi Cottages in the morning, and then collected the empty boxes in the afternoon. We try to stay and have a chat with as many of the pensioners as we can, they are always very grateful, and like to see us personally. Des and Sally took us out for supper, all part of the spoiling process! The hospitality of our host families are much appreciated.

Sunday 19^th - We were up by 6am having coffee and a light breakfast, then off to the warehouse to pick up the truck, and on the road. We were at Rusape by 09:20, offloaded, and had tea and cake with the residents. They love to provide something for us to eat and drink before we leave, but even more they enjoy someone new to chat to. One, Tom Coffee, baked a fresh cake especially for us. These folk have so little yet give so much. The next stop was Harare, but this road is more of a challenge due to the Police presence, “roadblocks” and speed traps, at least 12 on this stretch.

We eventually arrived at the Futters in Harare at about 12:30. Mike and Marion Futter distribute most of the boxes to Harare and some of the outlying areas on our behalf, and we are very grateful to them. Attie and I then went on to Bezer, an orphanage, where we deliver supplies, and Attie got an update on how things are with them. Our overnight stop in Harare were with Leonie and John, and their father Tony, old friends of mine. Once again we were given a great welcome, and supper was a wonderful Oxtail Potjie made by John, it was an early night for us, for a change

Monday 20th – After coffee and a quick chat we went to fill up our faithful Steed – with Diesel supplied by our good friend Jim Forrester, who regularly supplies us with enough diesel to get us home. Our route now was through Chivhu and then Masvingo, where we had to pick up the empty boxes from Lulu. It is important that we collect the boxes, as the same boxes are repacked for each trip. After this we proceeded to Mucheke Home, this is a home on the outskirts of Masvingo, and we supply their kitchen in bulk, as the residents are fed from the kitchen. We also had bags of clothes for them this time, which they are very grateful for. At this stage we were earlier than we had anticipated, so decided to head to the border, rather than stopping over in Masvingo. BUT – the best laid plans of men and mice often go awry – as we were to discover. We were doing great until Ngundu, where our efforts were thwarted by the left front wheel – a puncture! It took us one and a half hours, and some considerable help from a fellow traveler and 2 young local lads, to get back up and running. The passer by was a farmer, Deon Theron and his wife and daughter who had been relieved of their farm some time ago under circumstances we all know. He had been prompted to leave Joburg an hour and a half early so as to possibly get to Harare before dark. However, when he saw our truck on the roadside he turned back to help the two “crocks”. When the truck was ready to go he looked at his watch and said, “now I understand why our Good Lord prompted me to leave early.” God is indeed a great God. He still managed to get home in good time.

Very tired and very dirty we limped in to Beit Bridge at about 21:10, fortunately we had a very good crossing and were cleared back into RSA within 45 minutes! We went to the weighbridge, (another 40 minutes) and were then able to go to Joe Joubert, (Attie’s friend) in Musina, to park the truck, and have a cup of coffee with him and his wife. It was therefore almost midnight before we were at the Cameron’s for our overnight stop. Elizabeth had waited for us, and gave us a great supper, we got to bed only at 1am.

Tuesday 21^st – And still the drama continued!!!! After some good coffee and a chat with Henry and Elizabeth, and feeling the lack of sleep, we arrived at the Truck at 07:30, only to discover another flat tyre. It was the spare that we had put onto the left front, Joe managed to pump it enough for us to get to Hi-Q in Musina, where we knew we could get some help.

Boeta, (the owner) checked everything and replaced the tube so that we had a good tyre on and a spare that would last the rest of the trip. He donated his labour costs, so a big thank-you to Hi-Q. Eventually we were on the road to Duiwelskloof – but by this time it was late and we arrived in Duiwelskloof only at 15:15. This is home base for Attie, and they kindly provided me with a comfortable bed and good food so that I could head for home early the next day.

For me this was a big learning experience, encountering as I did so many different aspects of driving the truck, and my thanks to Attie for all his guidance, and for his sharing of his experience with me. We only had one major mishap – water from the cooler box all over the cab because I braked too quickly seeing a speed bump too late - much to Attie’s disgust!! Shame he had to endure a wet bum for a few hours, heh, heh.

We noticed that the country side in Zim was looking better in general, but the grass was sparse in parts of the South, improving after the Bubi River. Nothing has been done to improve the road surfaces, but the Police road blocks, where they want to check everything, license, paper work etc. are many – 12 between Mutare and Harare, and 18 from Harare to the border. Then there are the Tolls, one at the entrance and exit of every town.

Judging from the reaction of all the pensioners that we met, I would consider this trip a resounding success, and they are all that really matters.

Thank you….Boet Holmes.

Short Insert by Pst Attie Botha

It was indeed a great trip and was good to be active again. My knee replacement op has laid me low for a few months but I believe I am almost ready for action now. The good news is that Boet has gained some driving confidence because he had to face his mountain a few times when we found that I could not help to drive in tight spots. I could not get up into the truck from the driver’s side. He doesn’t say much but he was a very sick man for a few months as well. But, we, by the Grace of God completed the task and did it well.

Please remember one of our great helps and hostess, Tannie Koekie Koekemoer has been in hospital in Bulawayo undergoing some surgery and is now recovering. She is an octogenarian who needs your earnest prayers. She is as they all are, not earning a lot of money and the procedure has cost a lot. A mutual friend, Sidney Fourie is collecting funds to help her. If you are in Zim, he can be contacted on his cellular phone 0772269897 and here in SA you can contact Liz Botha on her cell phone 0790170600 or on our email. The estimated cost is in excess of US $2000:00. Any help will be appreciated.

At this point I again want to extend our sincere thanks to all our Supporters, sponsors well wishers and prayer partners for your loyal support. We want to extend a BIG

Thank-you to Maria Barclay of “Oasis Water” in Tzaneen who donates all our drinking water for every trip, it is so much appreciated. May our Lord continue to pour out His Blessings on ALL of you, your homes and your businesses. Please keep up the good work and together we will meet the needs of the folk we serve in Zimbabwe.

Blessings

Pastor Attie Botha. (+27) 829012291

Short Insert by Hannes Botha:

Our boxes and trucks were loaded in record time. We left Malelane on Wednesday the 15^th. I went straight to the border to check that all the paper work was 100% and to let them know that we would be going thru early on Thursday morning.

Once thru the border I was doing the new and slightly extended trip so that Attie would not have to be on the road for so long after his knee op. As usual as far I went there were tears and letters of thanks and gratitude towards us and all our supporters who allow us to do what we do. You are all amazing and we thank God for every one of you!!!

My trip was basically uneventful with no major hick-ups thank goodness. I was across the border and back in Malelane by Saturday the 25^th February.

As usual we have our rent for the warehouse coming up at the end of April. We are fortunate in that we get 14 months for the price of 12. This is however still a large sum of money and we are in the process of trying to raise the 120k+.

Our next trip the Easter one is scheduled to leave Malelane on the 27^th March 2012 in order to ensure that all our Golden Oldies get their Easter goodies in time to celebrate

Here is just a quick example of some of the words in our latest Thank You letters we have recently received. This makes what we do so much more real!!!

To The Friends of Zimbabwe,
O My!!! What beautiful parcels we got for Him & Her.
Ann - was over the moon with Powders, Creams, Smelly creams and what have you.
Me - Razors, under arm blue ice etc etc, and not least a pen knife, good and strong.
Thank You, Thank You. God Bless you for your Kindness, If you could see the Tears running down my cheeks.

May The Good Lord Bless and Keep you Safe this upcoming Year.

Love

Ann & Pete Venter, 14 Sunningdale, Zimbabwe

____________

May the Good Lord Bless and keep you all safe this comming year.Dear Donors and Hopefully my Friends,
Thank you again for this wonderful and very welcome box with goodies, it helps me don’t. Thank you from the Bottom of my Heart. Above all it makes me feel good that people I don’t even know care for the elderly people so much. You all can feel very PROUD of yourselves. This is what life is all about. May the Good Lord Bless you all in Abundance. Warmest regards and Love to you all – Bernie Roelofse, SOAP Mutare.

_____________

Dear Wonderful Friends,
Thank You so much for the super grocery hamper, which i received today. What a lovely selection of groceries. I was down to my last goods and then I received this lovely gift. It is so much appreciated. Thinking of us all here in Zimbabwe.
Thank You.
God Bless you all.
Diana Nel, 12 Park Cottages, Mutare.

_____________

Dear Wonderfull Freinds,
once again a million Thanks for another most welcome parcel of goodies. Your choice is first class and could not have arrived at a better time. I cannot find words to express my sincere Thanks.

Les Aubrey, Mutare

_______________

Dear Freinds,Dear Members of the Zimbabwe Pensioner Support Fund,
Thank you so very much for your wonderful and most appreciated parcel which arrived this afternoon (23.2.2012). How can I Thank You all enough, as for you too, life can't be so easy any more.
It's always a Red Letter Day when your parcel arrives. And I very carefully unpack it and look with gratitude at every item it contains. May God Bless you all and Reward you for all the Pleasure you give us.
Best wishes and Regards
Trudi Linder, SOAP, Mutare.

_______________

Dear Hannes,

A very warm thank you from All our members who receive food parcels from you and your organization of God’s Angels on earth…… We are so blessed to have people like you who care.

Unfortunately our needs are growing and we have to add people to the list all the time as money runs out and the elderly get older and frailer… it is so heart breaking to see these once proud men coming into my office some as old as 85 years old, thin, frail and Very obviously struggling, with their caps in hand asking if we can put them on our list of Job applications so that they can go out and get a job. It is soul destroying. All I can do is add them to my growing list and pray that we can get enough food parcels to go around. At present we are giving out alternative deliveries. So have a list of some this delivery and then the next delivery the next lot get. Not ideal but then we do not live in an ideal world.

We are so terribly grateful for every parcel that makes its way to us, through all trials, borders and other problems.

Please can you accept my heartfelt gratitude for EVERYTHING that you do for our members.

I PRAY that God will bless you all abundantly for the work that you do.

In His name.

Rose , Harare

I tell you, sometimes what we do is heartbreaking. It is very seldom that I can manage to do a Trip without my tears falling.

Once again God Bless and Thank You everyone for your continued support. This was the first trip of 2012.

Hannes Botha

Founder & Director

+27 084 5893 221

Office +27 013 7900 934

Fax to Email - 086 267 8499

Section 21 Co Reg. 2007 034036/08

NPO Number 096733

Section 18A PBO No 930031642

pensupzim@vodamail.co.za

http://zpsf.terapad.com

ZPSF 2011 Overview

pensupzim@vodamail.co.za — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:46:00 GMT

Zimbabwe Pensioners Supporter Fund.

2011 Overview.

Here we are again at the end of another year. How time flies. It seems like just last week that I was reading

Through the overview for 2010.

Going back through the overall report on 2010 I am pleased that we ended on a high again in spite of the efforts of the powers that be trying to derail this much needed operation. When we all finally returned across the border, including Hannes who had a repeat of Daniel’s experience with the truck playing up in the fuel starvation area we set about a well-earned rest for a few weeks.

Our first trip in February was started on the 15^th with the two large trucks driven by Les Britz in the UD80 doing the Western route and Boet Holmes and I on the Eastern route. Hannes had to do some business in Harare of which organising new documents for future trips was a part of, so he was in his car. We also had some French Journalists come along to see what we were doing and then to do some fund raising back home once they compiled their story..

In Chivhu we found the Kirstein couple where we normally drop the hampers for distribution had left for South Africa and their son Bertus Kirstein packing their home. These old folk have become our extended families and we theirs.

Hannes and Les did the Bulawayo deliveries with Hannes letting Les do most of the driving and thinking ‘cause he needs to learn and gain confidence. Extra goodies were packed for Verity Amm Kitchen to give the folk a Valentine party, just to add a little joy to their lives.

On the 11^th of April we set off on our next trip, Hannes and Les doing the Western leg and Boet and I the Eastern one. After an unusually quick border crossing we prayed together asking the Lord to guide and protect us on the roads before each going their own way. As is now almost the norm the lights and water were off. The situation in Masvingo is as far as we are concerned the worst in Zimbabwe.

We were on the road to Umvuma by 9am the next morning as we headed for Kwekwe, off loading at Herbert Lee in Redcliff on the way. Each stop has become one of heartache as you find these folk streaming from their houses to the truck, ever thankful for the hampers and other goods.

We went on to do Kadoma, Chinhoyi and the regulation Harare stop at the Futter residence where Mike and Marion take all the goods and distribute it further. This task is not for sissies or a holiday as many folk think. At every stop over we are a spent force. Our hosting families throughout the country are worth Gold to us. May our Lord bless you all.

The next day we arrived in Mutare at 12.00pm after doing Rest Haven in Rusape. We delivered to EHT kitchen, the EHT cottages, Park Cottages, Murambi Cottages and the SOAP hampers. We set off for the border at 04:00am the next morning and had a quick crossing, only two hours from start in Zim and finish on SA side.

Hannes and Les did their route without hiccups. Their route consists of doing Kingshaven Cottages in Esigodini, Verity Amm, Coronation cottages, Edith Duly, Queen Mary home, Barbara Burrell home for the blind Ralstein house, Masonic lodges, and SOAP in Bulawayo, Huisvergesig, Bogies Trust and SOAP in Gweru as well as MUUS Home in Sherugwe and with the help of John and Lyn D’Ewes serve the pensioners in private homes in Zvishavane. As with us, on the Harare route, he brought much joy to many of the oldies that were very happy with the delivery of our yearly drop of chocolate Easter eggs along with their hampers. On this trip we again covered more than 6,500 kms using around 2500 litres diesel fuel serving 29 homes, and kitchens & organizations, feeding just over 1650 people who without your help would be facing starvation, their word, not ours.

On the 13^th of June we left Malelane late morning with the two trucks and finally pulled in to Musina at 18:45, tired. Boet was now a fully licensed driver he did most of the driving throughout the trip. The Bulawayo trip was done by Hannes and his passenger from New Zealand, Sheldon Winn.

It was here that we once again saw God in action. I had an electric blanket given by a 92 year old pensioner, here in Duiwelskloof, who said, “Just give it to the person who needs it Attie.” It was a cold evening and Trudi told of how, the night before, she had filled empty 2 litre coke bottles, wrapped them in a towel and put them by her feet to try to keep warm. Our good Lord had prompted someone a few days earlier to give away her electric blanket and Trudi had no idea what God had provided for her in the truck. On the way to Mutare, we had trouble with the diesel filters of the truck, possibly due to dirty fuel.. When Des heard of our “filter dilemma “he came to the rescue with a box full of them, free of charge, God is faithful!!

While in Des’s workshop area, I did some running repairs, changing the blocked filters and changing a worn tyre that would attract attention from the local constabulary.

We made good time, to Harare now that the trucks throat had been cleared., Saturday we took the trip to Bindura and Mvurwi to deliver boxes to the homes there. Again Philip made his van available to us, thanks my friend, you are a star. The rest of the week end was to be “free” as we have been told that we need to wait in Harare for a Lady from Dubai, who wants to promote the Fund there, and will do 2 days of the trip with us to get a feel of what we do.

Cheryl Robertson, lady from Dubai, was picked up at 08.00 as arranged and we proceeded to Chinhoyi. Cheryl interviewed some of the people in the home, and also one of the folk who had been evicted from his farm, and now lives in the home.

In Kadoma we off loaded at Westview Home where Cheryl again spoke to the folk gleaning vital information. We were soon in Kwekwe where Cheryl was able to do some more interviews, and then on to Redcliff where we met Hannes, who had been busy doing the Bulawayo/Gweru trip. Cheryl transferred to his truck to do some more interviews in Gweru before she returned to Dubai. The Dec 2011 copy of the Farmers Weekly has a copy of her report. I believe it has generated a food deal of funding. Thankyou Cheryl.

On the Western leg we had new spot on our deliveries in Gwanda who we have now added to our list. Hannes and Sheldon Winn, a donor from New Zealand went on to Esigodini and then finally made it to Bulawayo. The stay in Bulawayo was a slightly extended one due to the upcoming Verity Amm Mothers/Fathers day function for which Hannes managed to get a nice donation of Oxtail and Short rib from some of the local Butchers. He had brought his number 20 Potjie pot with, and did an Oxtail meal that was fit for royalty. The ladies at Verity Amm set up the Hall and did all the side dishes etc. A great evening was had by all, and Hannes received many accolades for the effort.

While in Bulawayo he had an old man come up to the truck and ask for help. Hannes took his name and address and went and paid him a visit the next day. We found out that he was a railway pensioner who had 28 years of service. After all of this he is receiving his monthly pension of $40. The equivalent of R270 per month. He is living in the servant’s room on a property. He was given a blanket and a much needed box of food and has now been added to the growing list of pensioners we support.

“What are we supposed to do, these guys fought for us, brought us up and helped make Rhodesia what is was. Now it is our turn to try and return the favour.” These are Hannes’s words. Come on all you ex Rhodesians, you well know that these folk are the ones who made it possible for you to get great educations so you can enjoy the life you now live. I urge you to get involved and help these folk in need today.

Our August trip kicked off on Friday 26^th. We could find no helpers or co-drivers and Hannes and I set off alone in each truck. This is never a good idea as you always need the second pair of eyes on these trips. This trip was considerably delayed because of continued problems with the relative departments in Zimbabwe who issue us with import permits that enable us to import various goods for the pensioners. In fact Hannes made two trips to Harare, the second one lasting more than a week, before we had the paperwork needed to start the process on this side.

However, we will not be overcome, and we know that our God will always be with us as we try to sustain a lifeline to the pensioners in Zimbabwe. We are after all answering the call He gave “to reach out and feed His sheep as is written in the Bible in John 21: 15 -17. This trip was considerably delayed because of continued problems with the relative departments in Zimbabwe who normally issue us with import permits that enable us to import various goods for the pensioners. In fact Hannes made two trips to Harare, the second one lasting more than a week, before we had the paperwork needed to start the process on this side.

It is really tragic to arrive at our destinations two weeks late to find folk who have run out of food, and to “run” as well as a pensioner can run, ran up to me, hugged me in tears to say, “we ran out of food 2,3 and 4 days ago, thank you for caring about us”. Yes folks, I don’t make this up. These dear people are like you and I, sadly too proud to let their neighbours know their plight because many are in the same boat. I now see that these delays were just a taste of what was ahead for us.

We had an excellent crossing, less than 3 hours and then as we were leaving the truck parking area on the Zim side, which is in a pathetic state, the auxiliary fuel tank on the UD80 hit the ground and dislodged itself causing a substantial delay to relocate it. Fortunately we were together and coped as well as two “bush mechanics” can. As I said before, its not a good idea to travel solo. We were travelling together to Bulawayo and en route we discovered that the centre bolt and securing bracket on the UD90’s tag axle had broken and the axle was running out of kilter. After a temporary repair job we pressed on to Bulawayo. As my progress was now slower, Hannes went ahead and did the hamper drop at Kings Haven home in Esigodini while I limped into Bulawayo where I off loaded the goods for SOAP and then went to an old family friend for help.

Gert Naude helped with a length of chain, some bolts and strong wire with which I would do a further repair job. Early the next morning, after transferring the Gweru, Sherugwe and Zvishavane hampers to my vehicle I set off for the rest of my journey around the country. I did the drops for Huisvergesig and Boggies, leaving the goods for MUUS lodge and Zvishavane at Boggies. I then went on to Lynbrook home in Kwekwe where I dropped the goods for them and also for Herbert Lee in Redcliff. Ken Connelly and his helpers were on hand and we soon had it all done. I spent the night there with our hosts in Kwekwe who also assist us with fuel.

On arrival in Harare at Jim Forrester’s workshop, when I wanted to point out my great repair job we found that the chain had snapped somewhere between Chinhoyi and Harare and the axle was again out of alignment. Jim took control and insisted that the truck stand overnight at their premises, and proper repairs will be done the next day

Jim and his crew led by Colin, his workshop foreman, did a splendid job of rebuilding the axle components and making sure all was in order before he allowed me to travel further. All this reminded me of why sanctions against Rhodesia never worked. We made parts, better than the imported stuff and gave “Harold Wilson” and his government grey hairs. The repair job was expertly completed by13.00 and I left to do the deliveries to the Futter family who spread them around Harare and surrounding areas for us.

I only managed to get away from Harare at 15.00 and did the Rusape drop leaving those wonderful folk who insist on tea and sarmies or cake come what may. This group are so much like true family. I arrived in Mutare at 19.00 in the dark which I do not enjoy doing.

With the help of Des’s crew we did all the homes in the morning, picked up all the empties in the afternoon and then to rest for an early departure the following day.

I managed to leave for Masvingo by 05.00. En route I dropped the hampers for Chivhu with Piet deklerk and on to Masvingo to drop the goods for all the homes in Masvingo. I did the Mucheke drop and then left for the border at 12.15 arriving at the border at 16.15. I had an absolutely fantastic crossing emerging on the SA side by 1700. Then the “silver horse” died on me, barely 1 kilometre past the border. After a long struggle with the help of my friends Joe Joubert & Hennie Ferreira, trying to find the problem, I was rescued by Henry Cameron, whom I called on for help, but who saw us bush mechanics going nowhere slowly. He posted a watchman for the night and took me home for much needed rest

Early morning Henry had a mechanic sourced to sort the problem and had me back on the road in no time. I was able to run through to Bushbuck ridge where Hannes and I exchanged trucks and I was able to get home from a VERY, VERY exhausting trip at 21.30.

The October trip starts with the horrors of getting the documentation out of Zimbabwe…… The trucks are ready and almost packed for the trip, but not only the goal posts but the game venue has now been changed. Before we are able to bring anything for the oldies, we now have to register a charity organisation as well as the Zimbabwe equivalent of a Non-Profit Organisation in Zim with the necessary directors of Zimbabwe nationality. Hannes spends almost the whole of September and a week or two of October without achieving all that is needed for us to run. With HEAVY hearts and emotions running amok we are forced to abandon the October mercy run. We are all, including many sponsors and well-wishers, devastated by this as we have fresh in our memories the events of the previous trip….. “We ran outa food 4 days ago” rings loud in our ears.

I have undergone a long awaited knee replacement operation on the 19^th of October so I am out of circulation for the next few trips, yet the situation of the cancelled trip and the fact that Hannes is again in Zim trying to get the December trip organised has me distraught, and there is no way I can help him. Back here we carry on making up the hampers and the Christmas gifts we give out each December, praying, trusting and others hoping that he will get everything done. Many of our donors and sponsors regularly call to here what’s happening and remind us that they are praying for favour. Hannes crosses back into SA on the 25^th of November with the news that this trip December may go through on the old system. We all hail it as an answer to prayer…….. He is involved in an accident, writing off his car, getting his son in law Johan Schultz to fetch him from Louis Trichardt so that he can get the trip on the road. By the Grace of Our Lord and God he has no injuries or serious ill effects from this accident.

Daniel Koekemoer Reports.

The December trip leaves Malelane on the 30^th November, one day behind schedule, Hannes and a journalist from the Beeld called Hilda Fourie doing the Western route and I, with a friend, Hendik van Deeventer on the Eastern route. The border crossing the following day started late but was a good one and we were all on our separate ways by 13.00 and we arrived in Masvingo at about 17.00 and stopped over at the Burger residence for the night.

We were up early and dropped the hampers for the Cottages and others with our friend Lulu Mc Kenzie before we set off for Mutare. We arrived here at 15.00 and having alerted Des, who mobilised his team helped us to get the deliveries done before sunset.

That evening we spent with Des and Sally at Strickland Lodge where they had a fund raiser for the folk in the lodge. This was a hoot for me as I enjoyed playing “BINGO” with everyone. It was a wonderful nostalgic evening taking me back many years to my life in Triangle in the’70s. It was as if time had stood still.

We set off for Rusape where we received a very warm welcome and were seated down to a feast of coffee tea and sarmies. After a good visit we headed for Harare and did all the deliveries needed to the Futters and then a visit to the Bezer home for children.

My dear cousin Marie & husband Jack Ashford very kindly cared for us in Harare. Thanks a million to them for their hospitality and kindness.

Once again the ever generous Jim Forester helped us with some fuel. We set off to do a drop at Chivhu. Piet de Klerk and his kind wife drop off the boxes around the village.

Then the long, long haul back to Malelane in Mpumalanga. The trip went well and was punctuated only by an astonishing 1 hour and twenty minute crossing at Beitbridge! An unbelievably fast crossing. I’m told that Clive Stockhill (sp) has joined the Zimbabwe Tourism Board and his first priority is to make the Beitbridge border post more efficient and “ user friendly” He has encouraged anyone having a bad experience at the border to contact him. (I have his details if anyone needs them) If our crossing was a reflection of his input……..Viva Clive!! Well done.

Hannes Reports.

Hilda and I did the Bulawayo western leg and he reports that all went well after the border crossing. Here are the highlights of our trip.

Once in Bulawayo we did all of our deliveries without a hitch. We received plenty of thank you letters and heartfelt thanks for both the food parcels and Christmas “Pressies.” I must also add that the normal food parcels were rather upgraded for Christmas, just those few extra goodies to make it special considering the missed October trip.

We also dropped off bulk stock at Verity Amm for their Christmas function, which was being held on the 17^th December. They supply between 60 – 90 pensioners with hot meals during the week and we support them whole-heartedly..

As I had Hilda with me on the truck I decided to make my trip a slightly longer one and included Redcliff, Kwekwe, Kadoma and Chinhoyi as part of my deliveries. I wanted to give her the opportunity to see as much as possible about what we do. She therefore had a lot of time to speak to both the pensioners and farmers (who have been kicked off their farms) that we support.

We stayed with Albert and Elise Frits in Kwekwe, who made us feel right at home.

Generally speaking we had an uneventful trip, just a very emotional one. It is always hard to accept the pensioner’s deepest gratitude and not crumble. These boxes are a life line for them.

On our way back to the border the UD 90 got an “Air Lock” which set us back about 2 hours. Once we finally made the border at 3pm, the truck developed another air block and this time had to wait for a mechanic to come and help. Thank you to Meschek, a very helping guy! By this time poor Hilda had called her parents to come and collect her and she ended up in walking across the border. Not quite the impression we wanted to make, but these things happen. I finally got through the border just after midnight.

Special thanks this trip to the following folk who donated goods for the fund during 2011:

·Bosbult Milling. A generous donation of maize meal.

·Schoeman Boerdery. A generous donation of maize meal.

·Hendrina Mills A generous donation of maize meal

·Mrs. Nancy Goulding, 85 years old. Donated crocheted knee rugs.

·N12 Truck Spares. A new starter for the UD 80. As a “spare”

·Anonymous donor in Tzaneen. A new starter for the UD 80. Fitted same day

·Two Anonymous donors from Richards Bay paid in a substantial amount towards

The Starter motor, we have transferred the donation into our “Maintenance” Fund

·Mr. Rowan van den Berg. 2 new tyres for the UD90.

·Montana Meats Zimbabwe. 20 kgs oxtails for Verity Amm function.

·Heads and Hooves Zimbabwe. 10 kgs short ribs for Verity Amm function.

·Round Table White River. Blankets, duvets, pillows & clothes

· Thank you to all of you who took part in our “Winter drive” so that we

Could supply these precious folk with extra Soya and soup on this trip.

· Lastly we want to thank our volunteer drivers, Boet Holmes, Daniel Koekemoer and Les Britz for

Their passion and commitment, giving up time in their businesses, time with their spouses and also thank

Their spouses for their sacrifice. You are a priceless component in the running of this operation!!

Please note, we appreciate all our donors, none are excluded. You are a wonderful group. May our Lord continue to bless you in every aspect of your lives.

Once again, many, many thanks for your kindness and please keep us in your prayers.

General information:

ZIMBABWE PENSIONERS SUPPORTER FUND
QUANTITY BOXES & NUMBER OF PEOPLE

			TRIP -
NO	RECIPIENT'S NAME	TOWN	NO	NO
			OF	OF
			BOXES	PEOPLE
1	Hurbert Lee Cottages	Redcliff	17	20
2	Hurbert Lee Outsiders	Redcliff	7	9
3	Lynbrook Outsiders	Kwekwe	12	15
4	Lynbrook Homes	Kwekwe	15	18
5	Westview Outsiders	Kadoma	22	27
6	Westview Homes	Kadoma	10	12
7	Kadoma Outsiders	Kadoma	32	50
8	Sunningdale Cottages	Chinhoyi	32	44
9	Sunningdale Self Catering	Chinhoyi	8	9
10	Harare Outsiders	Harare	54	70
11	Mazoe Valley Trust	Bindura	10	14
12	Resthaven	Rusape	13	14
13	Chipinga	Mutare	4	6
14	S.O.A.P Mutare	Mutare	32	34
15	Murambi	Mutare	13	18
16	E.H.T Park Cottages	Mutare	28	34
17	Strickland Lodge	Mutare	10	16
18	Chivhu Pensioners	Chivhu	5	7
19	Emslie Close	Masvingo	6	10
20	Pioneer Cottages	Masvingo	17	20
21	Pioneer Outsiders	Masvingo	21	25
22	Muus Lodge & Outsiders	Shurugwi	18	23
23	Boggies Trust	Gweru	31	38
24	Anna Scheepers - Gewru Outsiders	Gweru	11	13
25	Huisvergesig	Gweru	11	13
26	BYO Outsiders	Bulawayo	25	30
27	Masonic Lodge	Bulawayo	23	27
28	Corronation Cottages	Bulawayo	16	15
29	Zvishavane Pensioners	Zvishavane	9	15
30	S.O.A.P Bulawayo	Bulawayo		160
31	Gwanda Pensioners	Gwanda	3	3
32	Kingshaven Moths	Esigodini	6	8
			521	817

ZIMBABWE PENSIONERS SUPPORTER FUND
QUANTITY BOXES FOR KITCHENS

			TRIP -
NO	RECIPIENT'S NAME	TOWN	NO	NO
			OF	OF
			BOXES	PEOPLE
1	Pioneer Lodge	Masvingo	8
2	Muchecke	Masvingo	15
3	Huisvergesig	Gweru	8
4	E.H.T.	Mutare	7
5	Waterfalls Trust	Harare	9
6	Queen Mary	Bulawayo	6
7	Verity Amm Soup Kitchen	Bulawayo	19
8	Edith Duly	Bulawayo	7
9	Bezer	Harare	11
10	Barbara Burrel	Bulawayo	5
11	Malvern Trust	Mvurwi	8
			103

We are currently supporting just over 1650 Pensioners in Zimbabwe. Of this total about 40% are Afrikaans speaking.

With the 2 trucks we are still using just over 2500 litres of Diesel per trip and as we all know the price is once again just going up. Both trucks are serviced regularly in order to ensure our wheels keep turning. And then again the cost of tyres is not getting any better and the roads in Zimbabwe are not conducive to a long life span for tyres. (Even truck ones)

As usual all admin costs are kept to a minimum as we only have 3 permanent staff members. And for this we say a BIG THANK YOU to all our volunteers.

We had our Annual Audit in March 2011 after Financial Year End and everything was 100%, so a clean bill there. This was done by Danie Senekal CA (SA) in Alberton. Our Accountant at RB Business was also extremely happy with the paper work.

Our biggest expenses are as follows:

Warehouse Rental – R130000.00 P/A
Tyres – R25000.00 P/A
Insurance – R57000.00 P/A
Food Purchased – R782361.98 P/A
Fuel @ 2500lt/trip – R162000.00 P/A
Permits and Paperwork - Cross Border Permits R 2400.00

Vehicle Insurance R 1000.00

Carbon Tax R 600.00

Bridge Toll R 1000.00

CVG R 1000.00

Import Permits R 3000.00

Avg Total Per Trip R 9000.00 = R54000.00 P/A

Audit Fee – R19000.00 P/A
Accounting Fee - R15000.00 P/A

God Bless you all.

Below are our contact details: -

Hannes Botha. (Director/driver) Tel 013 7900934 or Cell 0845893221.

Email pensupzim@telkomsa.net

Past. Attie Botha. Limpopo Coordinator/driver Tel 015 3098594 or 0829012291

Email thebothas2@telkomsa.net

Daniel Koekemoer. Natal Coordinator/driver. Tel 031 7641457 or Cell 0832334257.

Email afrimede@mweb.co.za

Boet Holmes. Driver and Representative (Secunda) Tel: 017 6312168 or 0726214222

Email wgholmes@xsinet.co.za

Linda Schultz. Admin and Fundraising. Tel 013 7900934 or Cell 0796082676

Email pensupzim@vodamail.co.za

Webpages http://zpsf.terapad.com / www.zimpen.co.za

Registration Numbers Section 21 Co Reg. 2007 034036/08

NPO Number 096733

Section 18A PBO No 930031642

Please if you have any queries about who we are or what we do, do not hesitate to contact us.

Compiled by Pastor Attie Botha & Linda Schultz. February 2012

Our Christmas 2011 Trip Report

pensupzim@vodamail.co.za — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:08:00 GMT

ZIMBABWE PENSIONERS SUPPORT FUND

TRIP REPORT

28 November 2011 – 06 December 2011

Eastern Highlands / Harare route

This year’s Christmas run saw a really rocky start after Hannes crashed his car near the Verwoerd tunnels at Mikhado (Louis Trichard) He was on his way back from Zim for the umpteenth time trying to make sense of the new regulations imposed on us, as a charity, in Zimbabwe. We had to cancel the October trip on account of the new playing field and Hannes did a tremendous job of ensuring, at all costs, that we could do this run so that the old folk had food and comfort for the Christmas season.

I left Durban very early on Monday 28 November to prepare the trucks in Malelane, for leaving on Tuesday, but got a call from Linda to say we could only leave Malelane on Wednesday because Hannes was recovering from his accident. As there was no longer a rush I stopped in at Pongola where my old school friend, Hendrik Van Zeeventer, has a business. We had coffee and I suggested he come up to Zim with me as I was going to do the trip alone. He had commitments and said he couldn’t. I drove on to arrive in Malelane late on Monday afternoon. Later that evening, after a beer or two, I suspect, Hendrik phoned to say he would drive up to Malelane the next day to come on the trip with me. He did, and the trip was a whole lot more comfortable for his contribution. He has a heavy duty license too which was a great big bonus with the driving! Thanks so much Hendrik!

Both trucks loaded, we left Malelane on Wednesday morning and headed for Mussina (Can’t get these new town name spellings). Hannes went off ahead to Mikhado, to meet with a journalist, Hilda from the Beeld newspaper. He had arranged for her to accompany him on his Bulawayo and midlands run, so that she could see the work being done, chat to the grandees and possibly do a story to raise awareness for their plight. She turned out to be a wonderful breath of fresh air with a passion for this story and we look forward to her contribution to our campaign. I’m sure Hannes will share more about her in his report. (We were sad that Hannes “stole” her for his truck)

Exhausted, we turned in early at the Camerons B&B after a quick bite. I must say huge big thanks again to the Camerons again for the use of their rooms. The comfort of your rooms makes our border crossing just so much more bearable. Thanks for that!

We hung around Mussina for a few hours on Thursday while we waited for the border paperwork to be completed and left for the crossing at about 13h00. We were astonished to make the crossing in just two and a half hours and were on our way to Masvingo by about 17h00.

As usual, Gerhard Burger made his home available to us in Masvingo. He was away to South Africa but left his dear helper, Lisbet, to make us some sadza and meat. A feast after a day on the road. Thanks again to Gerhard and his wife for putting us up. We’re most grateful to you guys.

We offloaded all the Masvingo boxes with Lulu McKenzie at Masvingo chicks. She offered, very kindly, once again, to distribute all the boxes from there. Among these were Pioneer cottages, frail care and those for individuals living in and around the town. We were done by about 11h00 am and headed off to Mutare, arriving there at about 15h00.

Our very special friend Des Bekker met us at his offices in Mutare and, in a flash, had loaded his vehicle and the truck with helpers. We offloaded the S.o.a.p. (Support old age pensioners) boxes and those destined for Chipinge and individual pensioners living in Mutare town which Des would kindly distribute for us. With Des’ help we managed to do Strickland lodge, EHT cottages and Murambi cottages before the sun went down!

Friday night was a hoot as we joined Des and his dear wife, Sally, at a fundraiser held at Strickland lodge, for the folk there. We hadn’t played Bingo in years and the evening was great fun. It was attended by many local folk and was a beautiful nostalgic evening for me. As if time stood still, it took me back to Triangle in the ‘70’s!

On Saturday morning we set off around Mutare to collect our empty boxes at the various homes, chatted to some folk ‘round about and then set off to Rusape. The Grandees at Rusape received us with great hospitality and some welcome tea and sarmies.

Bezer Children’s home in Harare was our next stop. They were very pleased with our offerings and we spent a bit of time chatting and playing with some of the kids here. Loosened the travel-wary bones.

Beating a massive thunder storm by minutes, we offloaded the boxes and gifts for Bindura, Mvurvi, Waterfall, some CFU families and some private pensioners, in Harare at The Futter family in Highlands who were, once again, on hand to arrange all the local distribution.

My dear cousin Marie & husband Jack Ashford very kindly cared for us in Harare. Thanks a million to them for their hospitality and kindness. We’re very grateful to you guys.

On Monday morning we met with the ever generous Jim Forester at his depot on the outskirts of Harare. Jim, Patrick Scott Martin and their mates have supplied us with some fuel on many of our trips and we are eternally grateful again for this. We set off to do a drop at Chivu. Amazingly, there are still a few Pensioners there and some desperately in need of help. Piet de Klerk jnr. and his kind wife offered to drop off the boxes around the village. Our grateful “thanks” to them.

We went on to do a final delivery at Macheke old age home in Masvingo where our contribution was gratefully received

Monday was a long haul back to Malelane in Mphumulanga. The trip went well and was punctuated only by an astonishing 1 hour and twenty minute crossing at Beitbridge! An unbelievably fast crossing. I’m told that Clive Stockhil (sp) has joined the Zimbabwe Tourism Board and his first priority is to make the Beitbridge border post more efficient and “ user friendly” He has encouraged anyone having a bad experience at the border to contact him. (I have his details if anyone needs them) If our crossing was a reflection of his input……..Viva Clive!! Well done.

We were back at the warehouse after midnight on Monday and all but “died” for the night. Tuesday saw me back home in Durban by late afternoon after I dropped Hendrik back in Pongola.

Summary.

This was an unusual trip for me, in that; we did several “Bulk “deliveries at central points. This limited our interaction with these special old folk. I was very lucky at the Bingo evening to chat to some folk and got some great feedback from our hosts on the situation with the Grandees. The story and need is as dire as ever and we all know that nothing will change for these dear old people in the foreseeable future. I will be putting on my begging hat more firmly this year to ensure that we gather all the help we can get for them and I’d be so grateful to anyone who can help us with anything from contacts to food, to cash, to awareness campaigns or simply just to prayers. The Port Shepstone Church communities, amongst others, saw to all the special Christmas gifts again this year. We are grateful beyond words to them and everyone else for the help we’ve had in the Durban region and wish you all a beautiful Christmas and a great 2012.

God Bless Zimbabwe!

Daniel & Elza Koekemoer

Coordinators. Kwa Zulu Natal

December Trip Report - Hannes Botha.

Extended Bulawayo route:

Well finally after heartbreakingly having to miss the October trip due to a another “Sudden” change in paper work requirements by Zimra we managed to get the Christmas Trip on the road on the 30^th of November using the Mucheke Old People’s Homes credentials. Not ideal but it is a plan until we are registered it works.

However before the Christmas trip could take place we had a very interesting 2 months of paper work and lots of travelling for me.

The goal posts were once again moved by Zimra. This started about 2 years ago with constant changes in the paper work requirements every 2-3 months. Of course the Cherry on top was when we were refused a rebate letter in October unless we registered as a Charity which took us just over 3 weeks.

Breathing a sigh of relief thinking ok a slight set back but not the end of the world, we were then told we were required to register as an official PVO (Public Volunteer Organization) in Zimbabwe in order to get a Welfare number. This could take anything from 6-18 months, we are hopeful for it to be done in 6.

Friday the 25^th of November after being on the road for almost 2 months getting all the paperwork sorted, I ended up in writing my car off. All I can say is thank goodness for airbags!!! So after placing a very early call to the office my son in law who thank heavens was off, came up to Louis Trichardt to fetch me and my suitcase.

Off course the family and everyone was stressing big time, as you all know I had my triple bi pass last year and the impact of the airbag could have done all sorts of damage. But the good man above was looking down on me and although there were some minor injuries, no real damage was done. Just rather stiff and sore.

So bright and early on the 30^th only 5 days after my accident we were on the road. Both trucks packed to the hilt and full of wonderful surprises for our Golden Oldies. The drivers being Daniel and Hendrik on the UD80 and myself on the UD90.

I picked up my co-pilot Hilda from the Beeld in Louis Trichardt on the 1^st of December. At the same time also stopping to get myself some more pain meds for the bruised ribs.

After another small hiccup with the paper work we were at the border by 13:00. Much to our not so surprise the border was heavily congested. Then with some help on the SA side and a bit of queue jumping we managed to make a record border pass there. Our ever faithful runner on the Zimbabwe side Lovemore managed to get us to the front of the queue on the Zimbabwe side and by 5 pm we were on our way to Bulawayo

Once there we did all of our deliveries without a hitch. Receiving plenty of thank you letters and heartfelt thanks for both the food parcels and Christmas pressies. I must also add that the normal food parcels were rather upgraded for Christmas, just those few extra goodies to make it special.

We also dropped off bulk stock at Verity Amm for their Christmas function which was being held on the 17^th December. They supply between 60 – 90 pensioners with hot meals during the week and we support them whole heartedly.

While in Bulawayo we had the privilege of staying at Corronation Cottages, who made 2 cottages available to us. A big THANK YOU to them for their hospitality.

As I had Hilda with me on the truck I decided to make my trip a slightly longer one and included Redcliff, Kwe Kwe, Kadoma and Chinhyoi as part of my deliveries. We wanted to give her the opportunity to see as much as possible about what we do. She thus had a lot of time to speak to both the pensioners and farmers (who have been kicked off their farms) that we support.

On this part of the trip we stayed by Albert and Elise Frits in Kwe Kwe who made us feel right at home. A BIG THANK YOU for putting up with us.

Generally speaking we had an uneventful trip, just a very emotional one. It is always hard to accept the pensioner’s deepest gratitude and not crumble. These boxes are a life line for them.

On our way back to the border after collecting the empty boxes in Bulawayo the UD 90 got an air block which set us back about 2 hours. Once we finally made the border at 3pm I was blessed with another air block and this time had to wait for a mechanic to come and help. Thank you to Mischak a very helping guy! By this time poor Hilda had called her parents to come and collect her and she ended up in walking across the border. Not quite the impression we wanted to make, but these things happen. I finally got through the border just after midnight.

Our February 2012 trip will take place as normal once again using the Mucheke Old People’s Homes credentials. We are hoping that by the time the April trip happens we will be back using our own name. But as they say where there is a will there is a way. We spent a fortune getting all the permits in the ZPSF name especially the maize and flour ones, however as we are currently bringing in all goods under the Mucheke credentials we have had to reapply for all of them in their name.

At this point we want to thank everyone who helped, sponsored and packed the gifts that we were able to spread around the country. As we always put it, “You, our donors, supporters etc. are their lifeline and we are only the coordinators and transporters. Without you, we would not be able to do what we do. A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who enables us to perform this wonderful worthy task. As a Fund we rely solely on donations to do what we do. We receive no funding from any Government organization.

We would like to wish all our Donors, Supporters, Prayer partners, Friends of the ZPSF and everyone who is involved in any way with helping our Golden Oldies, the very best for 2012 and trust that you all had a wonderful and safe Christmas.

As many of you may know Pastor Attie Botha had a knee operation in October. He is doing well and we wish him a speedy recovery. We are hoping to see him up and about soon.

From my side I was blessed with an early Christmas present. My grandson Anthony Willem Nell made an early appearance on the 24^th of December. He has already given all of us a lot of sleepless nights and he is not even home yet.

We look forward to a challenging 2012. With your help and the good man from above on our side we will prevail!!!!!

Hannes Botha

Director & Founder.

August 2011 Trip Report.

pensupzim@vodamail.co.za — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 08:36:00 GMT

Zimbabwe Pensioner Support Fund

August 2011 Trip

This trip was considerably delayed because of continued problems with the relative departments in Zimbabwe who issue us with import permits that enable us to import various goods for the pensioners. In fact Hannes made two trips to Harare, the second one lasting more than a week, before we had the paperwork needed to start the process on this side.

However, we will not be overcome and we know that our God will always be with us as we try to sustain a lifeline to the pensioners in Zimbabwe. We are after all answering the call He gave “to reach out and feed His sheep as is written in the Bible in John 21: 15 -17.

I feel that before I start the details of the trip report as such, I once again need to stress the chronic need of the pensioners there. In 2008 the Zimbabwe currency was discontinued as a result of the removing of 12 digits off the Z$ monetary unit and as a result, all pensions were obliterated. Since then the only form of sustenance many of the pensioners have is, what we with your help are able to provide. It is really tragic to arrive at our destinations two weeks late to find folk who have run out of food, and to “run” as well as a pensioner can run, ran up to me, hugged me in tears to say, “we ran out of food 2,3 and 4 days ago, thank you for caring about us”. Yes folks, I don’t make this up. These dear people are like you and I, sadly too proud to let their neighbours know their plight because many are in the same boat.

On this trip Hannes and I travelled solo in our trucks and we each had a very adventurous trip. I set off to Malelane on the 25th to have my truck loaded and once that was done drove back to my home in Duivelskloof to wait for Hannes who was having his truck loaded and would leave the following day.

Friday 26^th.

We arrived in Musina in the afternoon and collected all the border documents and retired to our hosts, Henry and Elizabeth Cameron’s home to spend the night.

Saturday 27^th.

We had an excellent crossing, arriving at the border at 06.45 and cleared both sides by 09.30. However, while negotiating the truck parking area on the Zimbabwe side, which to say the least is in a pathetic state and in dire need of repair, the secondary fuel tank on the UD 80 was dislodged and we spent the best part of an hour relocating and securing it again. En route to Bulawayo we discovered that the center bolt on the UD90’s tag axle had broken and the axle was running out of kilter. After a temporary repair job we pressed on to Bulawayo. As our progress was now slower, Hannes went ahead and did the hamper drop at Kings Haven home in Esigodini while I limped into Bulawayo where I off loaded the goods for SOAP and then went to an old family friend for help. Gert Naude helped with a length of chain, some bolts and strong wire with which I would do a further repair job. We spent the night at Coronation Cottages in a cottage allocated to us and had a good night’s rest.

Here I want to take the opportunity to thank the committee of “Coronation Cottages” for giving us one of their cottages where we can overnight when needed, these things are all great blessings.

Sunday 28^th.Up early to repair the truck’s axle and secure it as best I could and left at midday for Gweru where I did the drops for Huisvergesig and Boggies, leaving the goods for MUUS lodge and Zvishavane at Boggies. I then went on to Lynbrook home in Kwekwe where I dropped the goods for them and also for Herbert Lee in Redcliff. Ken Connelly and his helpers were on hand and we soon had it all done. I spent the night there with Ken and Beda, our hosts in Kwekwe who also assist us with fuel. I was really tired but soon felt refreshed with their hospitable spirit and care, we appreciate all you do, bless you.

Monday 29^th.

Up early to a good breakfast and on the road by 08.30. I arrived at Westview cottages in Kadoma at 0945, dropped the hampers and went on to Sunningdale trust in Chinhoyi and on to Harare where I planned to drop the goods at Mike and Marion Futter. However, when I wanted to point out my great repair job to our friend Jim Forrester, we found that the chain had snapped somewhere between Chinhoyi and Harare the axle was again out of alignment. Jim took control and insisted that the truck stand overnight at their premises, and proper repairs will be done the next day. I spent the night with friends, Joggie and Elsa Prinsloo.

Tuesday 30^th.

Jim and his crew led by Colin, his workshop foreman, did a splendid job of rebuilding the axle components and making sure all was in order before he allowed me to travel further. The repair job was completed by13.00 and I left to do the deliveries to the Futter family. By 15.00 I was on my way to Resthaven in Rusape, arriving there at 17.15 dropping the hampers and enjoying a well-brewed cuppa. We always get such a warm welcome here. However, I still needed to get to Mutare before I could call it a day so I headed off and arrived there at 19.00, parked the “silver horse” and went to relax with our host family, Des and Sally Becker. Again being very tired they soon made me feel relaxed and had a good night’s sleep, thank you so much.

Wednesday 31^st.

With the help of Des’s crew we did all the homes in the morning, picked up all the empties in the afternoon and then to rest for an early departure the following day.

Thursday 1^st September.

I was up early and managed to leave for Masvingo by 05.00. En route I dropped the hampers for Chivhu with Piet deKlerk and arrived in Masvingo at Lulu Mc Kenzie’s workplace to drop the goods for all the homes in Masvingo. I went to see ZIMRA, the people who process our rebate letter and was able to get the letter for Hannes to take a load of maize meal through the following week. I did the Mucheke drop and then left for the border at 12.15 arriving at the border at 16.15. I had an absolutely fantastic crossing emerging on the SA side by 1700. Then the “silver horse” died on me, barely 1 kilometer past the border. After a long struggle with friends Joe Joubert & Hennie Ferreira and I, I was rescued by Henry Cameron who saw us bush mechanics going nowhere slowly. He posted a watchman for the night and took me home for much needed rest.

Friday 2^nd.

Early morning he had a mechanic sourced to sort the problem and had me back on the road in no time. I was able to run through to Bushbuck ridge where Hannes and I exchanged trucks and I was able to get home from a VERY exhausting trip at 21.30.

Both Hannes and myself once again realized doing these trips solo is not a good idea especially if a trip turns out like this one did. We trust and pray this will not happen again and that we will always have someone to travel with. To cancel a trip because of these hick-ups is not an option as these precious folk rely on us.

One person cannot work, do repairs, keep a lookout and manage busybody onlookers at the same time. This operation is largely based on volunteers and to some may appear a thankless task. We are thankful to all who come with us and we may not always appear to be grateful but we are. In due course we will post our estimated time and date for the next trip so if you can, please contact us to make arrangements if you would like to travel with. I have to go for a knee replacement operation very soon so the rest of the crew will need helpers and or co-drivers. We appreciate and commend you, our donors, sponsors, friends and prayer warriors, we pray God’s blessing upon you all.

Also please to pray for Boet Holmes, our one driver who is not well and missed this trip due to illness.

Compiled by Pastor Attie Botha.

I know Christmas is still 4 months away. But doing what we do we need to start fund raising now, so we can have everything, bought, packed and labeled by the end of November so that our Golden Oldies can get their Christmas and normal boxes before Christmas arrives. I have attached some photos of past Christmas smiles that we have brought to the Pensioners in Zimbabwe.

One pensioner at Boggies Trust in Gweru described what we are doing as “ CHRISTANITY IN ACTION “. On the Christmas Trip when we also hand out a small present to each of our pensioners, one pensioner had this to say. “ I have family all over the world but the only Christmas present I had to open on Christmas day was The one from the ZPSF “.

We at the ZPSF would like to be able to make the upcoming Christmas of 2011 extra special for our pensioners. As a Fund we rely solely on donations to do what we do. We receive no funding from any Government organization.

Please if you are making a donation in either of the 2 accounts or on PayPal towards the Christmas Pressies, just put a message on PayPal or send us a mail on pensupzim@vodamail.co.za so that we can keep track of the Christmas Budget. Let’s really give them a reason to smile this year.

Kind Regards

Linda Schultz

Fund Raising & Awareness for the Zimbabwe Pensioner Support Fund

(C) 079 6082676

(T) 013 7900934

http://zpsf.terapad.com / www.zimpen.co.za

Please join us on Face Book

Alone we can do so little, together we can achieve much more!!!!

Director: Hannes Botha

084 5893221

Cheryl's June 2011 trip experience - Via The Telegraph Weekly World Edition.

pensupzim@vodamail.co.za — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 14:02:00 GMT

Starving pensioners get a lifeline in Zimbabwe

Cheryl Robertson helps out a charity that supports the elderly in Zimbabwe, who have lost homes and livelihoods.

Helping out: volunteers with the Zimbabwe Pensioners Support Fund organise food parcels

I’m among the Zimbabwean diaspora, having left the country in 1987. Periodically I return home from my Dubai base, and last month’s visit was to establish how one organisation was helping pensioners unable to support themselves.

Many of these people lost homes and livelihoods after the government introduced a land redistribution policy whereby commercial farms were taken from some and given to others – those loyal to the government. At the same time pensions and savings were wiped out as the Zimbabwean dollar reached an annual inflation rate of 231 million per cent (back in 2008).

Having no state support there is little they can do – apart from start a business or find a job, not easy at 70-plus. Enter Hannes Botha, who, along with his brother Attie and volunteers from the Zimbabwe Pensioners Support Fund (ZPSF) non-profit organisation, regularly deliver basic food parcels to 1,650 pensioners.

Most have somewhere to live but even so it is difficult to survive on $19 a month, a typical pension. Some don’t get anything at all. So the ZPSF team source, collate then every 6 to 8 weeks deliver two truck-loads carrying about 20 tons of non-perishable food from Malelane in South Africa to 28 old age homes, private homes and feeding kitchens in Zimbabwe.

Pastor Attie, aged 64, and volunteer driver Boet Holmes, 68, picked me up in Harare in a 16 ton Nissan diesel UD 90 and we headed to Chinhoyi, a town 115 kilometres to the northwest. At Sunningdale Trust in Chinhoyi 36 boxes were off-loaded for pensioners here and in the Karoi and Kariba areas. Each box included small bags of maize meal, rice, sugar and oats; spaghetti, cooking oil, jam, coffee, salt, peanut butter, soup packets, yeast, candles, matches, a tin each of pilchards, baked beans, Vienna sausages, mixed vegetables and corned meat; plus one bar of soap and chocolate. The residents clad in hand-knitted jumpers gathered around the truck and looked for their boxes although some – including two over 80 - had already left for work.

From Chinhoyi we headed south to Kadoma and the Westview Trust Homes where a resident made me a cup of tea and told me about her incurable macular degeneration. We stayed the night at our host’s home, a farmer turned gold miller. The ZPSF has a network of supporters throughout the country who identify those that genuinely need help.

Next morning we deposited 27 parcels at the Lynbrook Homes in Kwe Kwe. The crisp, clear wintery air, the deep blue sky etched with bougainvillea and frangipani brightened the poignant situation. Boet and Attie heaved boxes out of the truck despite the nagging pain in Attie’s knee. He should have an operation soon.

“We lost absolutely everything,” says Sonia, a retired nurse of about 70. “My husband had an ex-railways pension – that went down the tube. It has been reinstated but it’s around $19 a month. We were farming, and sold all of our cattle, I think we ended up with 26 cents for them as they took 14 noughts off the currency at the time, so that was gone, and of course you got nothing for your farm.”

We met Hannes, 58, at the Hubert Lee Cottages in Redcliff, driving the second smaller truck up from Bulawayo. Twenty-five parcels were deposited. I asked Hannes, initiator of the fund, what motivated him. “The majority of these people are in this situation through no fault of their own,” he replied.

Widow Sue, 72, is destitute because the inheritance she was entitled to was not shared by her step-son. She cannot afford either dentist or doctor, and once pulled out her own troublesome tooth and stitched up a dog bite on her own arm. She sells old furniture for cash and looks after 11 other people on her property. “Together we form a 'family’, watching out for each other and doing the best we can to keep going,” she said.

Few appeared bitter. “There is no point in harbouring bitterness,” says a 68 year-old ex-tobacco farmer wearing a broad-rimmed hat and a sleeveless body warmer. “It’ll eat you up if you do.”

The ZPSF supports a small proportion of the needy in the country. “The plight of the real pensioners in Zimbabwe has not improved. Many totally rely on what they receive from donors,” Hannes said.

Last week the government announced it would be establishing a new parliamentary Bill to help the elderly, many of whom had become vulnerable as a result of Aids destroying the traditional family support network.

It’s good to see the food parcels get into the right hands. Each recipient is checked off against a list from the ZPSF database. The town, home and the name of every recipient is taped onto the sides of each cardboard box. There is even a spare box, just in case.

Boet told me about the Malvern Trust Home in Mvurwi, which recommends new elderly residents be measured for their own coffin. The named box is kept in “the coffin room”, and when the time comes the resident gets a service in the chapel followed by a quick burial in the adjacent cemetery - a field donated by a local farmer. “It sounds a terrible thing to do but the reality is that there are no mortuaries or crematoriums that work,” he said.

Hannes and I arrived in his home town of Gweru, where he is welcomed at the Huisvergesig and Boggies Trust Home like a long lost friend. We then met two pensioners in their own run-down houses, one of which had an electricity power cut. These are frequent and frustrating daily occurrences throughout Zimbabwe. Both pensioners are thin, vulnerable, yet feisty – they were overjoyed to meet Hannes for the first time. He has become a legend.

Each round trip costs around US$30,000, provided mostly by South African donors. The trucks cover two routes, parting company after the Beitbridge border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe, one going via Bulawayo to Gweru and the other travelling via Masvingo to Harare. The total distance covered is about 7,500 kilometres.

From Gweru we drove 35 kilometres to Muus Lodge residential home in Shirugwi where we also left boxes for Zvishavane’s destitute with Jack who, having been there for 46 years, knows who they are. The residents gave Hannes some enormous avocado pears, and said: “Everything’s all right here really” or “Can’t complain”. They didn’t want to talk about their problems.

At night we returned to Kwe Kwe, where Hannes’ friends hosted us. Don’t their families do any caring - the question is asked. Many do, but equally, many don’t or can’t. Some may not even know a family member is receiving a food parcel. “There is pride in all of us no matter how down-and-out we are,” one lady admitted quietly.

Others lived with and expected to inherit the family farm from their parents, so now they too are struggling – or have joined the Zimbabwean diaspora.

This first appeared in The Telegraph Weekly World Edition.

Sheldon Winn June 2011 Trip Feedback.

pensupzim@vodamail.co.za — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Sheldon Winn I was in Bulawayo, Essexvale and Gwanda in June, it was an experience that I find hard to explain to anyone that has not been there(but I am sure you understand), I travelled up with the Zimbabwe Pensioner's Support Fund trucks, it was a real privaledge to experience the kindness of everyone who helped along the way with fuel, food and accomadation, the people that help to make those trips possible are amazing, but the best part of all was seeing the gratitude of those people up in Zim, as I said, it was a real privaledge for me.
Thank you to ZPSF for allowing me to do the trip with them.

June 2011 Trip report.

pensupzim@vodamail.co.za — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 16:10:00 GMT

Zimbabwe Pensioner Support Fund

Trip Report for June 2011

It was a cold Highveld morning on 12^th June when I left for my 8^th trip to Zimbabwe with the ZPSF. I left home at 7am, and after a good trip I arrived in Malelane just before 11am, where everyone was busy packing the trucks, with the UD90 almost completed, thanks to Linda and her crew. Once the packing and checking was completed, we were given a good supper at Linda’s, and Attie and I went back to the warehouse to sleep. It was good to see that the stretchers that we had used previously have now been replaced by proper beds – especially as June nights are pretty cold!!

Monday 13^th June.

We left Malelane late morning with the two trucks and after a couple of stops for photographs, fuel and “padkos” we were on the long road to Musina. We finally pulled in to Musina at 18:45, tired, but pleased to be there in good time. We were given (as always!) a good supper and a comfortable bed by the Camerons, the first of our host families on every trip. As Boet was now a fully licensed driver he did most of the driving throughout the trip. The Bulawayo trip was done by Hannes and his passenger from New Zealand, Sheldon Winn.

Tuesday 14^th.

Elizabeth Cameron gave us our early morning coffee and rusks, and then we went to the truck, loaded our bits on, and went to refuel. Next stop – the Border Crossing!! We were through the SA side very speedily - but, as usual, the Zimbabwe side was very different. At the weighbridge we had to wait for the staff manning it to finish their breakfast. The immigration went fine, but the customs once again had moved the goal posts – it is now necessary to have a separate permit for the maize meal – unfortunately no-one knows about this until one is there at Customs! After a considerable delay we bought a “temporary permit” and we were finally out on the road in Zimbabwe at 13:15. At the point where the roads split between Bulawayo and Masvingo, we stopped, greeted one another, prayed for a good journey and parted ways. We arrived at our destination (Masvingo) at dusk, and were made welcome by Trudi Burger, as is often the case there was no power or water in Masvingo, but somehow Trudi always manages to make us comfortable. It was here that we once again saw God in action. I had an electric blanket given by a 92 year old pensioner, here in Duivelskloof, who said, “Just give it to the person who needs it Attie.” ( See the attached letter) to see how God knows well in advance what is needed and where.

Wednesday 15^th

After some good coffee, we off loaded the supplies that stay with Trudie, for Gerhard and her to distribute, and then it was on to Mucheke, where we off loaded bulk supplies for them. We then went to Lulu where all the boxes are dropped off for the pensioners in Masvingo. Next stop Chivhu, to off load at the de Klerk family there for the few pensioners in that area. They informed us that Mr. Graham Voster was still around and would need a food hamper which we could give from our spare supply. The next port of call was Mutare, and we arrived there at 17:00, a bit later than we had hoped, as we had a bit of trouble with the diesel filters of the truck, possibly due to dirty fuel. It was quite a struggle up “Christmas Pass” near Mutare. In Mutare we arrived at the home of Des and Sally Becker, who always make us very welcome they are another of our wonderful host families. When Des heard of our “filter dilemma” he came to the rescue with a box full of them, free of charge, God is faithful!! Des and Sally also supplied us with a small fridge to be used in Bulawayo. We wanted it to equip a room given for our use when in Bulawayo but on arrival found that need was met so we were able to donate it to a very needy cause in Bulawayo.

Thursday 16 (Boet)

While Attie replaced the filter and tyre on the truck, I was able to off load all the S O A P boxes for Mutare, these are the outsiders, – Des distributes these boxes for us. By mid morning we were able to get away and deliver the supplies to Murambi, Park and Strickland Homes. Des helps us with labour for these deliveries, most welcome, then Attie and I went back for the empty boxes in the afternoon, and we were able to chat & visit with the folk. After another great supper we were in bed early and ready for the trip to Harare next morning.

Friday 17^th

After a leisurely breakfast we repacked our things into the truck and set off towards Harare just after 9am. We stopped in Rusape on the way, where we off load boxes at the home, and there I met up again with an old school friend Colin Bray, so was able to have a chat and share old school pictures with him.

The truck was now running well, and we made good time, arriving in Harare in time to off load the supplies that go to Marion Futter for her to deliver and coordinate. Between her and hubby Mike they do a great job. We are now assisting more than 50 displaced “agric” folk as well. We leave the truck at the Masonic Lodge in Harare as they have the space and security that they make available to us. Thanks to Hugh and Averil and the folk of that Chapter.

Phil Gilbert-Green collected us there and took us to his home – Phil and Clare are always our hosts in Harare, and like all the other wonderful hosts they supply us with a warm comfortable bed and good food, it is hard to explain just how warm and welcome these nights at such good people are.

Saturday 18th (Boet)

Today was to be a more relaxed one – with a trip to Bindura and Mvurwi to deliver boxes to the homes there. We again had the use of Philip’s van, thanks my friend, you are a star. The rest of the week end was to be “free” and I was able to spend it with a good friend of mine, Attie staying with Clare and Phil. Were able to see the Sharks trounce the Bulls. Shot!

We have been told that we need to wait in Harare for a Lady from Dubai, she wants to promote the Fund there, and will do 2 days of the trip with us to get a feel of what we do.

Sunday 19^th. (Father’s Day) Attie

Was all on my own on this Special day, our hosts, Boet and guests had all gone out and decided to try and find a old friend whom I heard might be in Harare. I got out the telephone directory and the first “Prinsloo” turned out to be him( Joggie) and after verifying a few facts, invited myself to lunch without identifying myself. We had last seen each other in 1965 so our day was exceptionally special, picking up on 46 years of history. A true “BLAST from the past”.

Monday 20th (Boet)

We now know that the Lady from Dubai (Cheryl Robertson) will be available on Wednesday, so Attie and I went to the Masonic Lodge to repack the truck, and load some boxes for delivery back in SA. Unfortunately we were conned by some smooth talking Zimbabweans while we were busy, and when they left we realized that we had been robbed. Our bags from the cab had gone, and with them much of the documentation we needed to get back over the border.

My passport and ID book were in my bag, and the truck papers were in Attie’s. It was the most traumatic feeling – maybe the truck and I would have to take up permanent residence in Zim while Attie went home!!

We went to the Police, made our report (2 and a half hours of repeat, repeat, repeat) and then went to the SA embassy to try to get me an emergency travel document.

All the while I was panicking about what to do, what would happen etc, Attie was praying, praying that the Good Lord would help us, and show us what to do next. 2 hours later his prayers were answered. We received a phone call, from the nuns at the Catholic Church Waterfalls, about 20 km away, asking if we were Mr Botha and William George. Someone had left 2 bags at the Church, and they had found telephone numbers for Attie in his bag.

We immediately set off with Clare to Waterfalls, and, Praise God, there we recovered our bags from the nuns. Most of the contents of our bags were gone, but the important documentation that we needed was still there. Obviously some thieves have a conscience! Between Attie and I we left them a fair donation for their efforts. They even tried calling Attie’s home in South Africa. It was with great relief that we went to my friend for the night, and had a good supper. My friend Tony and his daughter Leonie had agreed to let us spend the 2 days there as Phil and Clare now had other visitors.

Wednesday 22^nd

After a quiet Tuesday we could now carry on with our trip – we collected the Lady from Dubai, Cheryl, at 08.00 as arranged and proceeded to Chinhoyi. At Chinhoyi we delivered the boxes for the folk there, and had tea with them. Cheryl interviewed some of the people in the home, and also one of the folk who had been evicted from his farm, and now lives in the home.

Next stop Kadoma. In Kadoma we off loaded at Westview Home where Cheryl again spoke to the folk gleaning vital information. Then on to our host family Clive and Estelle O’Reilly. After a delicious braai, we were able to get an early night.

Thursday 23^rd (Attie)

We were in Kwekwe off loading by 09:30, at Lynbrook, there Cheryl was able to do some more interviews, and then on to Redcliff. In Redcliff we met Hannes, who had been busy doing the Bulawayo/Gweru trip. Cheryl transferred to his truck to do some more interviews in Gweru before she returned to Dubai. We left our empty boxes in Gweru for Hannes, and then we ran empty to Bulawayo. In Bulawayo we were able to stay with Kathy Booysen, a very good friend of Boet’s, who always makes us most welcome.

Friday 24^th

A very early start – by 4am we were on our way to the border. The Border crossing went fairly well, just a hiccup at the customs – two and a half hours to get an official to stamp our gate pass!! By 11am we were back in SA and on our way to Louis Trichard, where we picked up paint that someone had donated to the fund. This will be taken to Zim next trip to help maintain the homes. We arrived in Duiwelskloof at my home where we spent the night.

Saturday 25^th

Left early to take Boet back to Malelane, then back home again arriving at 22.00 hrs and Boet arrived home in Secunda at 20:00.

This Report was compiled & edited by both Attie & Boet

Hannes’ s trip report.

I Left Malelane early on the 13^thof June with Sheldon from New Zealand as my co-pilot. We had a reasonable border passing on the 14^th. Once through the border we had new spot on our deliveries. We were informed about a few desperate folk in Gwanda who we have now added to our list. From there we went on to Isigodini and then finally made it to Bulawayo. Exhausted but having had a good trip so far. The stay in Bulawayo was a slightly extended one due to the upcoming Verity Amm Mothers/Fathers day function. For this we managed to get a stunning donation of Oxtail and Short rib from some of the local Butchers. I of course had brought my number 20 Potjie pot with, as if you are going to do Oxtail it might as well be done right even if we did run slightly late. The ladies at Verity Amm set up the Hall and did all the side dishes etc.

Here are some words of Thanks from Liesel who is Ann’s daughter. Ann runs the Verity Amm Kitchen. ~

“The trucks arrived at Verity Amm and have finished unloading... Thanks Hannes and team...your assistance at Verity Amm centre is some of the best we receive...”

“Hi There, The Luncheon at Verity Amm was fabulous, the centre is buzzing with praises of the event... Hannes your potjie was great and will be spoken of for a long time yet. Every one enjoyed their lunch of rice, oxtail and short rib potjie, followed by a pudding of vanilla cake, peach slices, chocolate mousse and for a kick a brandy sauce... We had 3 large tables laid with snacks for them to nibble on through the afternoon... Every one received a little gift, the ladies little trinket boxes (made by myself and my mom the Chairlady of the centre) with a dress ring in side had many of the old ladies in tears. The grandpas received a slab of choc with a lighter and razor (donated by Hannes) They even had a few drinks, wine supplied by Hannes and cokes supplied by the centre... It was really appreciated by us when a few of the younger oldies took the bull by the horns and helped get the centre cleaned up and straightened out after the luncheon, because our batteries were running on super low...The next big luncheon is in Summer we need to recharge first, will keep you up dated on what we may need for it..
Thanks again Hannes it was a real treat for us not to have to cook everything our selves. As they say "a change is as good as a holiday" Have a safe trip further and see you on your way back...Take it easy as you have many oldies who look forward to your deliveries....
Thank you also to the donors who supplied the meat and all the regular voluntary helpers. God Bless you all... Luv From All of us at Verity Amm Centre, Coronation Cottages and surrounding old age homes”

One of the gentleman pensioners actually came up to me and thanked me saying that he had not had Oxtail in over 12 years. While quite a few of the other Golden Oldies were quite teary saying they had not had a meal like that in years. It breaks your heart.

While in Bulawayo we had an old man come up to the truck and ask for help. We took his name and address and went and paid him a visit the next day. We found out that he was a railway pensioner who had 28 years of service. After all of this he is receiving his monthly pension of $40. The equivalent of R270 per month. He is living in the servants room on a property. He was given a blanket and a much needed box of food and has now been added to the growing list of pensioners we support.

I had Cheryl from Dubai meet up with me in Redcliff by Hubert Lee Cottages. From there she accompanied me to do the Gweru and Sherugwe deliveries in order to see what we are doing and who we support. We managed to get her back to Harare on the 24^th June. I received an email from Cheryl afterwards saying ~

“You are all doing a tremendous job - Hannes I take my hat off to you for starting it”

What else are we supposed to do. These guys fought for us, brought us up and helped make Rhodesia what is was. Now it is our turn to try and return the favour.

I finally made it back to Malelane on Tuesday the 28^th June. What a trip!!! Thank you to all our supporters who make these trips possible.

Hannes Botha.

Summary & Thank-yous:

This was a longer and more eventful trip than usual, but no matter what set backs there are these trips are one of the most worthwhile things one can ever do. It is very rewarding to be able to make a difference in the lives of the old people, who are in the situation that they are through no fault of their own.

They are so appreciative of anything that we do, always waiting for us with a welcome cup of tea, always wanting to have a chat, & always wanting to share anything that they have. Many of the people that allow us to stay in their homes while we are travelling also do a lot for these folk, many of them assisting with the distribution of the boxes, and they also do so much to help us, providing us with wonderful meals and a good night’s rest.

The countryside in Zimbabwe still looks very barren in places, with little or no agriculture happening.

The roads are still in a shocking condition in most places, often narrow, full of potholes, and very bumpy where the heavy trucks have caused the foundations to collapse.

Once again to all our hosts and hostesses, you are GREAT and AWESOME and we appreciate all you do for us and towards the fund.

HUGE thank you to Cheryl Robertson, all the way from Dubai and Sheldon Winn from New Zealand, that you came and joined us on one of our trips, and trust that you have gone back with a new outlook with what we are doing and go and spread the word of this great need in Zimbabwe for these forgotten folk. We continue to ask our Lord to bless and provide all things for you.

Special thanks this trip to the following folk who donated goods for the fund:

·Bosbult Milling. A generous donation of maize meal.

·Schoeman Boerdery. A generous donation of maize meal.

·Hendrina Mills A generous donation of maize meal

·Mrs. Nancy Goulding, 85 years old. Donated crocheted knee rugs.

·N4 Truck Spares. A new starter for the UD 80. As a “spare”

·Anonymous donor in Tzaneen. A new starter for the UD 80. fitted same day

·Two Anonymous donors from Richards Bay paid in a substantial amount towards

the Starter motor, we have transferred the donation into our “Maintenance” Fund

·Mr. Rowan van den Berg. 4 new tyres for the UD90.

·Montana Meats Zimbabwe. 25 kgs oxtails for Verity Amm function.

·Heads and Hooves Zimbabwe. 10 kgs short ribs for Verity Amm function.

·Round Table White River. Blankets, duvets, pillows & clothes

· Lastly thank you to all of you who took part in our “Winter drive” so that we

could supply these precious folk with extra Soya and soup on this trip.

To all our regular supporters, donors, prayer partners and friends we say a special thank you again and speak our Lord Jesus favour and abundant blessing on you all. As I have always said and again now declare, you are the ones that make it all possible. You are the ones that give us the ability to do the work.

Blessings,

The ZPSF team.

April 2011 Trip Report - by Attie Botha

pensupzim@vodamail.co.za — Mon, 09 May 2011 07:15:00 GMT

Zimbabwe Pensioners Support Fund

Report on April 2011 Trip to Zim

Monday 11^th April –The two trucks left Malelane at about 8am, en route to Duiwelskloof to pick me up. Hannes and Les Brits doing the shorter trip to Bulawayo, and Boet Holmes and myself doing the longer trip to Harare. The trucks arrived in Duiwelskloof just after 3pm and after embarking it was on to Musina to spend the night there. We had supper in Musina with an old school friend of mine, Legrange Joubert, now known as “Joe”. Between him and his wife Hester we enjoyed a great meal then a good sleep at the Cameron’s, our wonderful hosts in Musina.

Tuesday 12^th April – Up early and ready for the marathon that is the crossing into Zimbabwe at Beit Bridge! We refuelled from one of our new donors, Baobab Petroleum, run by Vissie and Doors Visser in Musina. The paper work was a bit slow but we still managed to get through the SA border by 11am, not too bad! Our truck weighed in at 16,180 Kg, and the other one about 12,000 Kg – all supplies for the pensioners donated by the good people who give so generously to the cause. We negotiated the Zim immigration fairly quickly and were through by 4pm. As a result we only got to Masvingo at 8pm, and were unable to do any off loads until the following day. We spent the night at the home of Gerhard and Trudi Burger, who were away in SA, but they organized food and beds for us. These are the wonderful people that host us in Zim – Lizabeth, their elderly servant, was there to help with whatever we needed, and after a good supper, and a very cold shower (no electricity) we had a good night’s sleep.

Wednesday 13^th April – Up early our first port of call was the Mucheke Home, and then on to Lulu McKenzie in town, to off load the supplies that she distributes to the Pioneer homes in Masvingo, with the help of Harry Watridge. Harry is a deaf pensioner who is ever ready to assist. Communicating with him is by sign language and lip reading and he is a very jovial soul so also a bag of laughs. He considers himself one of the “guys” as we have issued him with a ZPSF cap and a logo shirt. We also give him some fuel for his effort. We were on the road to Umvuma by 9am. We were headed for Kwekwe, but off loaded at Herbert Lee in Redcliff on the way. In Kwekwe we were able to park the truck in the grounds of the Lynbrook Home for the night after handing out the individually marked hampers. The deliveries to the outsiders were done with a bakkie with Mel Tucker in control of this as Ken & Beda Connelly were away.

Thursday 14^th April - After a great breakfast cooked by the Connelly’s housemaid, Mel took us to the truck, and we loaded the empty boxes onto the truck, refuelled at Ken’s fuel depot, and onwards to Westview home in Kadoma. Estelle’s son in law, Adrian, helped us in Kadoma, as Estelle was away. We were on our way to Sunningdale in Chinhoyi fairly quickly. This road is possibly the worst that we encountered (not that any of them are that good!) so after a very bumpy ride we arrived in Chinhoyi, off loaded the supplies, and were able to enjoy lunch with my cousin, Marie van Aswegan and after an extended lunch we were a bit late in leaving, so postponed the off loads in Harare until the next day, and went straight to park the truck for the night and on to our hosts – Phil and Claire Gilbert Green for a great evening – good company, great food and then a much needed sleep.

Friday 15^th April –We refuelled and made it to Mike and Marion Futter for the big Harare drop which includes 50 hampers for displaced farmers. We did very well – no “chit chat” and were on the road to Mutare by 10:15. We arrived in Rusape around 12pm to do the Rest Haven home and then on to Mutare arriving there just after 2pm, and were able to do the distribution to the 4 homes in the area fairly quickly, although there was no time for the tea or chat that we normally enjoy. We loaded all the empties, and were back at Des and Sally Becker’s home for supper to refresh and in bed by 6.45pm. Des & Sally were away, but their capable staff looked after us, thank you friends.

Saturday 16^th April – We needed a very early start as we had an off load at Chivhu, and then needed to get to Masvingo with time to load the rest of the empty boxes and pack the truck for the journey home. We left Mutare by 5am, and had off loaded at Chivhu by 8am. As our friends the Kirsteins had relocated to SA we now leave the hampers at the home of Piet and Freda deKlerk who will in future see to the distribution or the goods. They told us of a better road from Chivhu to Masvingo, and it turned out very well, with a good surface and nice views. At Masvingo we were able to load empties, and enjoy a quiet afternoon. We had a good supper with Gerhard and Trudi who were back from their trip to SA.

Sunday 17^th April – A very early start to our day – up by 3am and on the road by 4. It was a bumpy ride as always – made worse by the truck being empty, and a bit more traffic than we normally encounter, but we were in Beit Bridge by 8am. When we got to the border we were very surprised to see fewer than normal trucks there, and we had what must go down as the fastest crossing ever – less than 2 hours from start to finish!! Hannes and Les were just arriving at the border as we cleared, so we were able to meet them at the garage just outside Musina for hamburgers and chips – and to celebrate another successful trip to help the pensioners in Zimbabwe.

I do not know if the plight of the average Zimbabwean has changed much over the past months, but the plight of the pensioners there has not changed at all. They still battle with food only available with foreign currency, and the farmers that used to assist the homes are now very often the occupants of these homes, and needing help themselves.

The country side has changed for the better, there has definitely been good rain in many areas, and in many places the vegetation seems to have taken over the roads, with overhanging trees, and grass next to the road very tall. We did see some agricultural activity, especially in the North, but the rain seems to have departed before the crops were ready in some cases. The countryside in the South was more lush than I have seen it in some years, but the crops once again do not seem to be flourishing and another crop failure was recorded in many parts of the country.

This was a fairly quick trip, as we needed to be finished before the long Easter weekend, but we achieved our aim – to deliver the goods!

HANNES & LES BULAWAYO TRIP.

Hannes and Les did their route without any hiccups. Their route consists of doing Kings Haven Cottages in Esigodini, Verity Amm, Coronation cottages, Edith Duly, Queen Mary home, Barbara Burrell home for the blind Ralstein house, Masonic lodges, and SOAP in Bulawayo, Huisvergesig, Bogies Trust and SOAP in Gweru as well as MUUS Home in Sherugwe and with the help of John and Lyn D’Ewes serve the pensioners in private homes in Zvishavane.

As with us, on the Harare route, he brought much joy to many of the oldies who were very happy with the delivery of our yearly drop of chocolate Easter eggs along with their hampers.

The folk country wide, always ask us to thank YOU, the giving public of South Africa and all our overseas supporters for your generosity.

Yes, you need to come along on a trip to experience the awe and pain we get along with the gratitude. A dozen avos for you to enjoy or some oranges, carrots from our garden, and ever ready with a cuppa, a hearty meal and a good bed. They who have so little are always ready to share.

How long will we carry on with this task you ask? Until all the elderly in Zimbabwe are once again able to hold their heads up, backs straight and the stars in their eyes are all there because they have no need of us. “Pie in the sky” some say, but we live to see that day with them.

Every trip we have the sad news that some of these special folk have passed on, and as said before they become our friends and family, and this trip was no different,

Once again we thank all our donors, supporters, well wishers and prayer warriors for your faithful support without which we cannot do.

We do have quite a number of diabetic pensioners and to pack their boxes is more expensive, and with each trip we trust that we can pack a box for each one of them. So diabetics out there we are asking for your support even if you can sponsor 1 person each trip. Do contact the office and the exact number can be given to you and how much a box for a diabetic costs.

People who stand out this month are the folk mentioned in Musina, Phil Kriek of Malelane for the work he did on the UD 80, servicing the injector pump and injectors and Rohan van den Berg for the new tyres for the UD 90 tag axle.

Also a big thank you to Edna Minnie (nee Bloem) who is 83 of Johannesburg, who knitted 30 pairs of bed socks for the frail care in record time, (have included a photo of her) Also thank you to Nancy Goulding of Tzaneen for crocheting a number of knee blankets for the pensioners, she herself a pensioner in her 80s. All of you are “STARS”

Please note, we appreciate all our donors, none are excluded. You are a wonderful group. May our Lord continue to bless you in every aspect of your lives.

Once again, many, many thanks for your kindness and please keep us in your prayers.

God Bless you all.

Pastor Attie Botha.

Bulawayo

pensupzim@vodamail.co.za — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 08:31:00 GMT

Dear Hannes,

Trust this finds you well & that you had a safe journey home.

Gail Futter, Shirley Petrilia & myself would like to thank you so much for the box of groceries we received from you & your team, they are greatly appreciated.

Rod & Anne Tourle asked me to thank you as well for helping Gail & they send their regards to you.

The weather is somewhat cooler as we have a bit of rain today.

Take care, God Bless each & everyone of you.

Love

Rose.

Zvishavane Pensioners

pensupzim@vodamail.co.za — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 08:19:00 GMT

On behalf of the Zvishavane Pensioners I would like to express sincere gratitude to the ZPSF Team for the food parcels received today.

Your tireless time and devotion to this cause is very much appreciated…to the donors we say a big thank you too for caring about all the pensioners in Zimbabwe.

I have finished delivering the parcels and pass on grateful thanks from each of the recipients.

It was so good to see Hannes again and pleased that he has recovered so well after his major heart surgery.Also always good to see Les and a big thank you to him for being behind the wheel.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Blessed Easter…may you be richly rewarded for your kindness and generosity.

With love,

Lynne D’Ewes

p.p. ZVISHAVANE PENSIONERS

Masonic Cottages - Bulawayo

pensupzim@vodamail.co.za — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 08:18:00 GMT

Dear Hannes,

Once more its a very big THANKYOU to all you folk. The boxes arrived yesterday. Sorry I was unable to meet the driver, I was in bed with 'flu (not the enjoyable type). My next door neighbour very kindly saw to everything.

THANKYOU AGAIN . What trouble you have to go through to get through borders. We really do appreciate all your efforts.

Have a wonderful blessed Easter - OUR LORD RISEN.

With love in Jesus,

Barbara Huelin

Bezer Ministries - Childrens Home

pensupzim@vodamail.co.za — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 08:15:00 GMT

Hello Hannes

Our sincerest thanks and heartfelt appreciation for the boxes of groceries that Mike so kindly delivered today. I also want to commend you on your new delivery note. Excellent stuff!

Your care and generosity makes a difference in the lives of our children. We pray God's abundance in every area of your life.

"He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord; and that which he has given He will repay to him." Prov 19:17

Any news on the parcel to Mrs Kruger in East London?

Yours in His service,

Dirk and Sylvia

BEZER MINISTRIES TRUST MA1170/2002

PO Box MP 324

Mount Pleasant

Harare, Zimbabwe

Cell: +263 772 573 508

Cell: +263 772 415 058

Web: www.bezer.co.zw

"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows

in their trouble..." James 1:27

Easter Fund Raising

pensupzim@vodamail.co.za — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 06:34:00 GMT

Hi Everyone,

Just a small update on what we are up to. The first trip of 2011 was a big success. With very reasonable border crossing times and no major complications.

We are now in the process of getting ready to start packing for the April “Easter” trip. Once again we try and make this special time of the year a bit more special for our senior friends over the border, packing those few extra goodies.

We are currently supporting just over 1650 pensioners, this is about 40% of our target base. We are an officially registered Non Profit Organization (Section 21A) in South Africa and are registered with SARS as a Public Benefit Organization in terms of section 18A the Income Tax Act (Which means all donations are issued with a Tax Certificate and can be claimed back). PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE A TAX CERTIFICATE STATING ALL YOU DONATIONS.

We appreciate any and all support received as every little bit helps us to assist the people of Zimbabwe. As you are aware it is solely your donations that keep us running. Please if you have already supported us could you supply me with the details as we are battling to acknowledge all donations received and believe in acknowledging all support. PLEASE IF YOU DO DONATE IF YOU CAN USE YOUR PHONE NO. AS A REFERANCE SO THAT WE CAN TRACE THE PAYMENT CORRECTLY.

Once again a VERY BIG THANK YOU to all our supporters. May GOD bless you all.

Kind Regards

Linda Schultz

Fund Raising & Awareness for the Zimbabwe Pensioner Support Fund

(C) 079 6082676

(T) 013 7900934

http://zpsf.terapad.com / www.zimpen.co.za

Please join us on Face Book

Alone we can do so little, together we can achieve much more!!!!

Director: Hannes Botha

084 5893221

February 2011 Trip Report By Attie Botha

pensupzim@vodamail.co.za — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 08:23:00 GMT

Zimbabwe Pensioners Supporters Fund

February 2011 Trip Report.

News of the maiden trip for 2011: (Hannes is back up and ready to rumble.)

Tues 15^th. February.

We left Malelane somewhat late at 10.00 and eventually arrived in Musina at 20.30 well spent in as we had had a long and trying day. There were four vehicles travelling up, the two trucks, Hannes in his own car and two French journalists, Jawar & Juan. These two were going with to see not only what we do, but also to see the plight of the pensioners, gleaning first hand information from them. They want to do a documentary on the ZPSF to raise awareness of the doings of the fund and the evolvement from 2002 until now. On arrival in Musina, Hannes went to collect our completed papers from our clearing agents, Sediba. After a good clean up and grand meal with our hosts Henry and Elizabeth Cameron we retired to our rooms for much needed sleep

Wed 16^th February.

We were up at 05.30am and left for the border at 06.30am. We had a super crossing, less than four hours and arrived at Mucheke Home in Masvingo at 16.30, delivered our consignment to them, and what a lot of grateful smiling faces we encountered there. We drove on to meet with Lulu McKenzie who had labour ready for us and we did the homes in Emsley Close, Pioneer Cottages and Pioneer Kitchens. Lulu and her ever-ready aide, Harry Watridge would go on to see that the outsiders get their hampers. Masvingo, as is now almost the norm had no water so it was splash ‘n dash and lots of deodorant to see us clear to attend a scrumptious supper with our host Gerhard Burger.

Thurs 17^th February.

By 06.00am we were all ready to depart to our various destinations. Hannes was off to an important meeting in Harare, the French connection was off to see the Zim Press Assoc to seek permission to do what they needed to do and also register their presence in Zim with the French embassy. The two trucks, one driven by Les Brits and the other by myself headed for Zvishavane, the D’Ewes residence, M.U.U.S Cottages in Sherugwe and Bogies and Huisvergesig in Gweru. On this leg our friend Boet Holmes was the man in charge of seeing that all went well as far as the correct hampers came off and the empties went on, and he did a sterling job. After lunch we left Les at Huisvergesig where he would meet up later with Hannes and spend the night. Boet and I drove on and delivered at Herbert Lee in Redcliff and Lynbrook in Kwekwe before retiring with our hosts Ken and Beda Connelly. Ken and Beda are very active in assisting these two homes and many others outside who are in desperate need. They also give us fuel as needed when we ask for it. We salute you. Hannes also slept over there as his return from Harare was pretty late and it was better for him to rest here. These folk once again re-affirmed to us that their home was always open for us.

Fri 18^th February.

We were up relatively early to a good breakfast, took our truck to Kens depot and had it’s thirst quenched before leaving for Westview Home in Kadoma. We dropped the hampers and went to relax at Clive and Estelle O’Reilly’s home. Here too we are always pampered and cared for like royalty, it all helps to relieve stress, and helps us to “Chillax”

Sat 19^th February.

We were up early again and after a hearty meal set off for Sunningdale Home in Chinhoyi. As everyone was out attending the funeral of Sienie van der Westhuizen who sadly had passed away on Monday 14^th we only saw Pat and Graham Rodgers and left all hampers with them.

We were advised that due to unrealistic labour salary increases of 100%, it was no longer economically viable to keep the frail care open and that this facility would be closing in June.

After collecting the empties we drove to the Futter residence to drop goods for SOAP and Waterfalls Trust. It was while we dropped the load here that we had an intruder get into the cab of the truck and steal both Boet’s and my travel bags from the truck. Fortunately we did not have our travel or vehicle documents in these bags and they got away with my diary, personal file, filofax, digital camera, and other personal goods. They had a window of about 5mins to do their deed. We have learnt from this that when we get out we lock up immediately. We were given a great meal with Mike and Marion Futter and they shared their recent trip to Australia with us confirming that there was no place like home. We left there rather deflated with our misfortune and parked the truck at the Masonic Lodge and were taken home to Philip and Claire Gilbert- Green’s home. Here we met up with the “French connection” and enjoyed a relaxing evening.

Sun 20^th February.

We had a good breakfast and left for the Malvern Trust Home in Mvurwi. Here we had a good visit and the journalists were exposed to evicted farmers and the “coffin room”. For those who do not know, here a farmer makes a custom built coffin for each person who comes to the home saving the cost of this item. The home has a system that operates smoothly and when the deceased is pronounced “gone”, is given a proper service in the chapel, a proper burial in the adjacent cemetery and the next of kin advised. As most facilities in Zim are non-existent, this system is great and some residents call it their “funeral plan”. From here we went to Mazoe Valley Trust Cottages in Bindura, saw Mrs Kitty van Heystein and was told that the closing of that frail care centre was complete and that the remaining residents were all legitimate. Her job as matron and was now over, she was retrenched and really doesn’t know what will happen to her now. When we come across these situations we once again realize we are so blessed, and so many of us take things for granted.

Mon 21^st February.

We left at 09.00am from the Gilbert- Green residence, went and refuelled with the complements of Patrick Scott Martin and his outlet in Harare, Tim Forrester. (Thank you Patrick and team for your on going assistance in this area. It is really priceless). Together with our journo’s, we set off for Rest Haven in Rusape. After delivering our goods and some tea and sarmies we set off for the homes in Mutare. Here there are Eastern Highlands Trust Kitchen, “B” scheme, EHT Cottages then Park and Murambi Cottages. We have some folk in their 90’s and Des and Sally Becker along with an enthusiastic team look after the interests of every person. It is really good to see the dedication these and other folk have towards the oldies who for no fault of theirs are today in the place they find themselves. Mutare, like Bulawayo needs an extra day to get things done correctly and the oldies there want personal interaction. They yearn for personal contact; they want to personally say “thank you South Africa and the ZPSF for all you do”. It drives me to tears every trip, to hear the many accolades these dear folk have for us all. Once again I urge you to take time out to do a trip with us to see and experience the love these folk have for you, the only life-line some of them have, I DARE YOU

Wed 23^rd February.

Up early to leave by 06.00am we headed for Chivhu only to find Bertus Kirstein packing up his parents home. Albert and Leanie were leaving their birth land, leaving behind more than 80 years and three generations of history. The look of desolation, disappointment and pain on Bertus’s face was too agonising to behold. This event also closes the doors on many years of faithful servant hood by their long serving servants who now are jobless. A very sad, sad day for us all. These old folk have become our extended families and we theirs. You cannot relocate an old tree.

We travelled on to Masvingo to spend the night to enable us to get an early departure and good border crossing the following day. We had an excellent one, two hrs.

We arrived at my home in Diuwelskloof late on Thursday afternoon, “chillaxed” in preparation for the final lap the next day, Malelane and back for me, and Malelane and home to Secunda for Boet.

You will note that I have a lot to say a lot about our hosts and hostesses. They are a groovy bunch and we love them OK. They too keep the tummies full and the wheels turning.

Once again I say to you, the faithful donors, sponsors, prayer warriors and general friends of the ZPSF, God will bless you in His own Majestic way for the way you help to keep the “spirit light” of those old folk burning as they enjoy our visits which you make possible. I am reminded of a grandfather clock, it has many intricate gears and bits, some seemingly insignificant but without which that elegant timepiece cannot keep time, year in and year out. We together are that magnificent collection of spindles, dials, gears springs and numbers which move the hands that keeps us all going and on time as it rings out the chimes of time. It touches ones heartstrings to see the change in countenance when the goods are handed out. Thank you South Africa, for your care, love and generosity. May our lord continue to rain down His Blessings on you all.

Hannes and Les did the Bulawayo leg and they too had a great trip. Les was largely “in charge as Hannes needs to let him get the confidence needed to run alone”. Hannes and Les did take up some extra goodies to be used by the Verity Amm Kitchen in Bulawayo to give a Valentine lunch to all those who attend the kitchen on a regular basis. Our thanks to Mr Mario daSilva, his partners and crew for the fuel they donated on this trip. We pray the Lord’s blessings this business as well.

AN INSERT; PART OF BOET HOLMES’S REPORT

20^th February Sunday.

The 2 French reporters had met up with us again, and they came with us to Malvern Trust in Mvurwi to film and report on our activities. They were fascinated by the story of the home where the old folk are measured for their coffin when they move in, and the coffin is kept for them until they need it. A local farmer has donated a field, that has become the cemetery, and this way a proper burial can take place. It sounds awful but the reality is that there are no mortuaries or crematoriums that work. The Matron has taken on the task of performing the service, and everyone there is very happy with this. The French reporters interviewed everyone concerned and filmed everything, so I am sure the audiences overseas will be fascinated. We went back to Harare after delivering boxes and supplies to Bindura, and spent another night there with the Gilbert Greens.

21^st February.

Today’s trip would take us to Mutare via Rusape. We delivered boxes and supplies to Rest Haven in Rusape, and were in Mutare in time to do the deliveries to the 3 Homes there. We also deliver goods to Des Becker for SOAP in Mutare. We spent the night with Des and Sally Becker, another of our host families.

22^nd February

Attie decided to spend another day in Mutare to attend to business there, and we were able to reorganize the truck. The truck was almost empty by now, with only Chivhu left to deliver. The empty boxes were sorted into the truck, it is important to collect all the empties, as they are marked with every person’s name, and then they are re-filled at the warehouse in Malelane ready for the next delivery.

23^rd February

After a long drive we were able to make the last delivery at Chivhu, and make our way to our last stop-over at Masvingo. By this time the truck was empty of supplies, just filled with the empty boxes.

24^th February

After a good sleep it was time for the trip to the border and the crossing back home to SA, which fortunately went off very well, and we were back home.

On this trip it was good to see that there was considerably more activity in the agricultural field, we saw Maize, Tobacco and Soya that was growing really well, and everything looked greener than it has been for some time. The country has most certainly had a good rainy season, especially the Northern areas.

Once again we saw how difficult the “golden years” can turn out to be in a country that does not care for its citizens, the elderly are so much more vulnerable. Those folk are so grateful for everything that we take to them, they always make us so welcome, and there is always the offer of something to eat or drink, sharing what little they do have. Very humbling.

Trip report compiled by:

Pastor Attie Botha.

Zimbabwe Pensioner Support Fund

ZPSF Easter 2012 Trip Report

Thank you, Boet.

ZPSF Feb 2012 Trip Report

Thank you….Boet Holmes.

Short Insert by Pst Attie Botha

Short Insert by Hannes Botha:

Dear Wonderfull Freinds,once again a million Thanks for another most welcome parcel of goodies. Your choice is first class and could not have arrived at a better time. I cannot find words to express my sincere Thanks.

Les Aubrey, Mutare

_______________

ZPSF 2011 Overview

Special thanks this trip to the following folk who donated goods for the fund during 2011:

·Bosbult Milling. A generous donation of maize meal.

·Schoeman Boerdery. A generous donation of maize meal.

·Hendrina Mills A generous donation of maize meal

·Mrs. Nancy Goulding, 85 years old. Donated crocheted knee rugs.

·N12 Truck Spares. A new starter for the UD 80. As a “spare”

·Anonymous donor in Tzaneen. A new starter for the UD 80. Fitted same day

·Two Anonymous donors from Richards Bay paid in a substantial amount towards

The Starter motor, we have transferred the donation into our “Maintenance” Fund

·Mr. Rowan van den Berg. 2 new tyres for the UD90.

·Montana Meats Zimbabwe. 20 kgs oxtails for Verity Amm function.

·Heads and Hooves Zimbabwe. 10 kgs short ribs for Verity Amm function.

·Round Table White River. Blankets, duvets, pillows & clothes

· Thank you to all of you who took part in our “Winter drive” so that we

Could supply these precious folk with extra Soya and soup on this trip.

Below are our contact details: -

Webpages http://zpsf.terapad.com / www.zimpen.co.za

Compiled by Pastor Attie Botha & Linda Schultz. February 2012

Our Christmas 2011 Trip Report

August 2011 Trip Report.

Cheryl's June 2011 trip experience - Via The Telegraph Weekly World Edition.

Starving pensioners get a lifeline in Zimbabwe

Cheryl Robertson helps out a charity that supports the elderly in Zimbabwe, who have lost homes and livelihoods.

Sheldon Winn June 2011 Trip Feedback.

June 2011 Trip report.

April 2011 Trip Report - by Attie Botha

Bulawayo

Zvishavane Pensioners

Masonic Cottages - Bulawayo

Bezer Ministries - Childrens Home

Easter Fund Raising

February 2011 Trip Report By Attie Botha

Zimbabwe Pensioners Supporters Fund

Dear Wonderfull Freinds,
once again a million Thanks for another most welcome parcel of goodies. Your choice is first class and could not have arrived at a better time. I cannot find words to express my sincere Thanks.