HELLO FROM L’ARCHE - ZIMBABWE
from a community member
The youngest of the L’Arche African communities - L’Arche Zimbabwe - welcomed delegates of the African Zone to their home last year. “It was good to get to know the people behind, what had been up to then, only names. As time went on, many things about L’Arche became clear to us. We appreciated the experience of the other communities and of the Council.
A few weeks later the founder of L’Arche, Jean Vanier, arrived for a
three-day visit. Most of the helpers were able to attend the retreat he gave, and his insights into being with the marginalised were invaluable to us all.
However, the community is suffering from the lawlessness of the country and the shortages - both of fuel and the massive inflation of food prices. Intruders walked in last summer, threatened the community and stole the radio and television. On another occasion the bore-hole pump, which draws up the water, was stolen.
The cost of fuel has meant that the children of the community can, no longer, go out to school. We are considering if we should start our own school as a way of reaching out to the wider population.
However, the community is suffering from the lawlessness of the country and the shortages - both of fuel and the massive inflation of food prices. Intruders walked in last summer, threatened the community and stole the radio and television. On another occasion the bore-hole pump, which draws up the water, was stolen.
The cost of fuel has meant that the children of the community can, no longer, go out to school. We are considering if we should start our own school as a way of reaching out to the wider population.