I'm not sure if any of you are following the news in Zimbabwe lately--mainly Robert Mugabe's stranglehold on power and the revaluation of the currency. One of my neighbors was originally from Zimbabwe, and while she follows all of their news fervently, she always exclaims in the end, "There is no hope there! Nothing will ever change." Does anyone have an opinion on that? Is there hope for Zimbabwe?

I fear that there is absolutely no hope at all for Zimbabwe until the monstrous Mugabe is thrown out or dies.. he's as old as the world, so hopefully shouldnt be long... Feel so sorry for the people there.

I see that the Chinese authorities have told him not to come to the Opening Ceremony,"to avoid embarrassment " and he has reluctantly agreed!

I saw that, Ren. Kind of funny in many ways, not that there is anything funny about Zimbabwe.

Considering China's record, yes it is!

It is very sad. I am old to enough to remember when he was the great liberator and great hope for the country when he took over after the war of liberation against the racist Rhodesian government.

Another lesson in how absolute power corrupts absolutely.

I was not intending to be flippant as believe what is and has happened in Zimbabwe is a travesty of world justice. However, I started a thread on this on the Chatboard and think only one person commented... so nice to see it receiving the response and damnation it deserves here.

So what is the feeling on this latest move, a possibility of sharing power with Morgan Tsvangirai? I saw a picture in the paper of the two of them smiling and shaking hands, but, somehow, if I were Tsvangirai, I'd be using a very long spoon indeed.

As bitter as the memories of Ian Smiths´ Rhodesia can be, the conditions for the people of Zimbabwe has deteriorated since 1980 to an all time low.Mugabe is without doubt one of the worse leaders in living history, his people have not deserved what he has done to their country.The only hope they have is his age , not wishing anyone ill, but personally would not be unhappy to hear of the demise of this terrible man.

It's widely known what a tragedy the situation in Zimbabwe is. Most Zimbabweans live in fear, intimidation, poverty, hunger.. there is very little, if any, healthcare available.

I have just heard about a Zimbabzwean nurse who worked in a hospice in Harare for 14 years before emigrating to England in 2000. She sends medical equipment back to Zimbabwe and would be grateful for items like unused dressings, bandages, plasters, catheters, cotton buds, syringes, and scissors.

If you have any of these and could donate them, please contact her on- coral.mackenzie@homecall.co.uk

I just thought this could be a small way we might be able to help...

Sherry,

That is excellent! I travel a lot (obviously not to places like Zimbabwe, though I want to one day). Poverty worldwide is so astounding, that those of us who live in Western countries have no idea what real poverty is.

I sit on the scholarships committee of one of the major UK engineering institutions, which grants bursaries, grants, and prizes to engineering students worldwide. Yesterday, we voted six such grants to Zimbabwean engineering students to assist them in their degree studies.
There are many young Zimbabweans, like these students who despite their odious government, continue to put time and effort into their studies. Such people as these give cause for hope for the future of Zimbabwe.

Picqero, what a wonderful grant that is! I wish my college did that. At the end of the day, you must feel so proud of the work you do. Thanks for sharing!