Lightening a heavy load
Last week I met Nyasha, an inspirational woman who left me determined never to moan or complain again. About 70 years of age, Nyasha lives in a small community outside of the city of Bulawayo, the second largest city in …
Two years on, life in Harare
It feels like a lifetime since I was sitting in my kitchen in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, reflecting on my week as an International Citizen Service (ICS) volunteer, and trying to sum it up in under a 1000 words for my …
World AIDS Day 2012
As we approach World AIDS Day 2012, on the 1st of December, I have paused to reflect on some of the country visits that I have made this year, which have highlighted the on-going impact of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus …
Moving on...
My two year secondment to the European Union (EU) Delegation in Zimbabwe has flown by and once more I am packing my bags, this time to drive up to Tanzania - to support the DFID education programme from Dar Es Salaam. …
Lost generation
This month sees the 19th Biennial International AIDS Conference being hosted in Washington DC - it's great to see a return to the USA of this major event, following the lifting of visa restrictions for HIV positive people. Thankfully the stigma against …
Kariba ahoy!
Tuesday morning found me sitting on the proverbial 'dock of the bay', waiting for a speedboat to emerge from the calm blue horizon of Lake Kariba - a massive man-made lake formed 50 years ago by damming the mighty Zambezi river. …
Zimbabwe - on the road to recovery?
Having spent some time in Zimbabwe (since 2010) I have certainly become relaxed and really appreciate this beautiful country. I feel relatively safe, in comparison to many other cities. Arriving at Harare Airport, one is met with helpful staff and no hassle …
Start them young!
Can you remember starting school? I have vague recollections of going to St. Margaret's CoE Infant School, Durham in the early 1970s with my elder brother, when free school milk was still provided in little glass 1/3 pint bottles. Leading …
Flipping the classroom - exploiting the digital world
Trapped in my office at dusk, yet another heavy rainstorm sweeps over Harare. I make a start on this post, until the electricity fails and the room is plunged into darkness. Travel is risky: last week, trying to get to …
Learning on Rhodes' Ranch
Sitting down for dinner in the Bulawayo Club (est. 1895) in southern Zimbabwe, one feels that one has been transported back to a gentlemen's club in fin de siècle Mayfair. One is immersed amongst Greek colonnades, oil portraits of colonial …
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