Sunday, September 27, 2009

Zimbabwe: Long road to recovery

It has been about a year since Zanu-PF agreed to share power with the movement for democratic change and Zimbabwe is finally seeing some change, although relatively small.

The currency that once was worthless, the Zim dollar, has been replaces by foreign bills such as South African rand, U.S dollar and the Euro, teachers have jobs once again and there is food on store shelves, however most still can't afford everyday life. Still those that don't have access to U.S dollars or anyone to send them money from abroad are struggeling; many can't even afford, what would be $24 a year, to send their children to school so instead, parents offer school teachers chickens as payment.

Unfortunately, the problem doesn't stop at education. About one in every fourteen people are malnourished and Zimbabwe doesn't seem to be on the list of priority because it's only receiving 40% of the funds it needs for food. Zimbabwe is going to have to wait because donor countries want to see real change before they release any financial assistance; in the meantime... many continue to struggle.


By: Ivana Miljic




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