FPS staff report
September 8, 2009
It all started over twenty years ago when Zimbabwean exchange student Felicity Campbell came to live with Gary and Beth Pearce and their two sons. It has evolved into a life-long relationship between the Campbells and the Pearces that is more family than friendship. Felicity, her husband Marcus Campbell-Reynolds, brother Craig, and father Keith have witnessed first hand the disintegration of Zimbabwe as its government has unraveled over the past decade. From afar the Pearces have watched the heartbreaking toll it has taken on a country they call a second home. The situation was so desperate that the last time they visited they carried flour in their luggage in order to help with food needs. Then, during their visit last year, they were appalled when a severely burned young boy died untreated and in agony at Chivhu General Hospital because there were no medications or supplies to treat his injuries.
The tale of the boy’s agony and the helplessness of the medical staff to treat him prompted the Rotary Club of Malvern to initiate a project in conjunction with Pastor Allen Hill and the Malvern United Methodist Church to establish an international collection-point to provide medical supplies and medications to the destitute Chivhu hospital in Zimbabwe. Since its beginning the project will eventually provide $40,000 worth of medicine and medical supplies to be sent to Chivhu, and raise the hopes of many there.
Earlier this month while visiting Gary and Beth Pearce, Craig Campbell received a letter of authorization to transport the latest shipment of supplies to Zimbabwe. In an email response to the Pearces, the supplies the project generated to help the Chivhu hospital in Zimbabwe were reportedly “on their way.”
The project has been able to ship supplies in differing amounts. This past spring, for example, Marcus Campbell-Reynolds came to the U.S. on business. While he was here, he detoured to Malvern where he met with the Rotary Club of Malvern and Pastor Allen Hill to give a presentation on the current state of the hospital. That presentation is available in a DVD made by Rev. Hill. Marcu left with $500 worth of supplies and medications purchased with funds collected by the Rotary, private donors, and the Malvern United Methodist Church in the first installment of assistance.
Early in the summer, Ryan Pearce and Pierre Iskandar, both serving at a NATO air component in Germany took up a collection with Cub Scout Pack 442, Lifechurch, and individuals in the surrounding German area to take to South Africa when they traveled there. The pair’s goal was to eventually end up in Chivhu, Zimbabwe, where they presented the donations to the hospital staff. At the same time, while getting government approval to import goods, the Rotary Club of Malvern became acquainted with a Mormon group that made a large donation of x-ray equipment, hospital gowns, IV stands, blood-pressure cuffs, and other medical supplies.
Recently Marcus Campbell-Reynolds traveled to England to visit family after the death of an aunt there. Gary Pearce contacted MAP (Medical Assistance Programs) International and ordered a shipment of four large packages of prescription medications to be delivered to the home of Marcus’ parents. Marcus carried the items back to Zimbabwe in his luggage. Again, the letter of authorization allowed him to bring the items into Zimbabwe and on to the hospital without incurring any customs charge. Marcus made sure the entire shipment arrived intact at its destination.
Now that the Malvern Rotary Club and the Malvern United Methodist Church have been granted NGO (non-governmental organization) status by MAP International, the shipments can be brought in duty-free with a certificate from the Ministry of Health. With these and other gifts the people of Chivhu can start receiving medical care again.
If you are interested in helping the Chivhu hospital, you can make donations to either the Malvern Rotary Club at P.O. Box 504, Malvern, or the Malvern United Methodist Church, 121 W. Wood St., Malvern. Mark your gifts “Zim Meds”. All gifts are tax deductible. |
