I hope you will bear with me for one week while I hijack Margaret's
editorial section to inform you, the the readers of Morning Mirror,
of some very pertinent facts.
Margaret has been producing this e-mail journal for some 3 years
now. The idea was conceived after Margaret was fired from ZBC for
totally spurious reasons some years ago. At the time she was
producing two weekly magazine programmes on ZBC with the same name
that had run very successfully for many years.
After Maggie's unceremonious termination it was perceived that there
was a need in the community for an organ that carried news of local
events other that the local newspapers which were being largely
shunned at the time. Margaret was persuaded to do something on e-
mail along the lines of what she had been doing on radio and hence
the birth of Morning Mirror in its present format!
Originally conceived as a newsletter through which to keep the
Bulawayo community informed of local events and to advertise local
fund raising efforts the mirror quickly evolved into the
comprehensive missive it is today with a direct subscriber base ( not
including the copies that are forwarded by individuals) touching on
7000 along with a web site that now receives in excess of 50,000 hits
a month!
From the outset Margaret has faithfully produced the Mirror every
week with no personal gain or reward. As you are all aware there is
no charge for advertising in the newsletter but what is requested is
that a donation be made to a charity of Margaret's choice. Initially
all donations went to SOAP. Now they all go to Edith Duly where
Margaret and I are both involved in our capacities as Trustee and
Chairman respectively. Edith Duly is a registered Welfare
Organisation and is the only Frail Care Centre in Matabeleland. Many
of the elderly patients housed there are totally incapable of
contributing to their own upkeep and rely purely on charity for their
survival. Balancing the books at an institution like Edith Duly which
offers full board, nursing and convalescent services plus 24 hour
supervision in today's' murderously inflationary environment with
financially crippled Medical Aid Societies is a nightmare.
The very survival of the Home relies heavily on the financial support
from the Morning Mirror. Since donations have started accruing to
Edith Duly in excess of a staggering $500,000,000 (half a billion
dollars for those who have trouble with the noughts) have been paid
to the Home in direct donations from advertisers in Morning Mirror.
In addition, as a result of the appeals that have been carried in the
Mirror on a regular basis there has been huge support from the
Bulawayo Public and the Bulawayo Companies who have always generously
come to the aid of the Home in so many different ways. I would like
to use this opportunity to thank all of you, the advertisers, and
those members of the public, and the Executives of the major and
minor companies of Bulawayo who have contributed in kind whenever the
need has arisen.
Margaret has also used the Mirror as the medium to raise funds for
the rebuilding of the Mater Dei Hospital which was so nearly
destroyed by fire last year. Once again it proved to be a most
effective tool bringing in billions in donations from all corners of
the globe.
I would also like to once again acknowledge the help Margaret
received from her brother Gavin who set up her initial web site and
the incredible selfless assistance she receives from Computer Guru
Hylton, who is based in London and whom we have not even met yet; who
now administers the web site as well as handles the mailing lists and
deals with all Margaret's technical problems relating to the
internet. Without Hylton's computer knowledge and IT wizardry Morning
Mirror would not continue to exist. Hylton I know how much Margaret
appreciates what you do and I thank you.
Thanks also must go to Colin Flemming for allowing Morning Mirror
space on the African Herd Worldwide Website and for producing such in-
depth monthly statistics.
However my main reason for hijacking this spot from "she who thinks
she is in control" is to acknowledge the supreme effort made by by
Margaret in keeping this whole venture together. Only I know the
effort and heartache involved in getting this magazine out to the
huge subscriber base every Monday; the collating and sorting of the
masses of advertising and social data that needs to be processed
every week , the handling of the irate phone calls and e-mails from
advertisers who are not happy with the service they are receiving
(fortunately very much in the minority). And all the while playing
the role of Matriarch of a family, and a husband, that at times can
be exceedingly demanding and dysfunctional!
The production of the 'Mirror' goes ahead whether we are on planes,
or boats or trains; whether we are in Harare, Johannesburg, Binga,
Perth, Chimanimani, Dallas, Waco or London; whether there are floods,
drought or power cuts; whether the drinking club with the bridge
problem was lost or won. Nothing gets in the way, and nothing has got
in the way for 185 editions!
And for that supreme effort, for no reward, I wish to acknowledge and
recognise Margaret's special contribution to the elderly of Bulawayo
and to the society of Bulawayo in general. More than anyone Margaret
deserves a special prayer and silent vote of thanks from all those
who have been affected in some way by her generosity of spirit and
public spiritedness over the years.
I know that God will thank her in his own way for being someone
special with a heart that has an infinite capacity to care and act,
especially for her beloved Bulawayo.
From all the people whose lives you have touched Margaret, Thank You.
Your ever loving husband, who, for the information of the readers,
is very rarely obeyed,
JAN CAREW PASSED AWAY ON MONDAY MORNING AFTER A LONG AND BRAVE FIGHT
WITH CANCER.
Hello Jan's Bulawayo friends - This is Jan's wishes - and her wording
from beside her bed.......
"Please celebrate my life and don't mourn my death - follow the Roman
Catholic tradition - have a wake, have a party and of course ladies
must wear hats and gloves!! (even if it gives you something to moan
about)
Whether anything is done in Bulawayo at all - or if it is not at the
same time as things are done here in UK, whether just 2 or 3 people
get together in small groups - PLEASE may they wear hats and gloves
and PLEASE may it be a bring and share 'party' with lots of FUN
reminisces.
I'd like them to get together in (little) groups - suitably attired
and remember the good times..... I'll be watching......."
I don't have everyone's email addresses and some people aren't on
email - please would you ensure that this message gets to those
concerned
Thanks - Zoe
Carew Jan - passed away gently and peacefully 22.4.06, surrounded by
her family in the Joseph Weld Hospice in Dorchester, England.
Jan went secure and loved by her family and with the love, support
and prayers of her friends.
Her funeral will be on Wednesday 3rd May at 11am at Owermoigne Church
in Dorset.
Jan's funeral will be held in St Michael's Church, Owermoigne, Dorset
Wednesday 3rd May 2006 at 11.00am
The service will be followed by a cremation in Weymouth at
approximately 12.15pm
At Jan's request please could ladies wear hats and gloves.
This will be followed by a light lunch at 23 Binghams Road, Crossways.
Come after the church service or the crematorium as you wish.
Jan has requested family flowers only
but donations, if wished, to your nearest hospice or Joseph Weld
Hospice
Please let us know if you will be joining us afterwards to facilitate
catering.
If you are unable to attend
Jan would love groups of you to get together and remember the good
times
(especially her friends in Bulawayo)
Hats and gloves would still be obligatory .....
love Max, Zoe and Norman and families
JOHNSTONE-BUTCHER Captain Henry George. Late King's African Rifles
and Rhodesian Army, A gentleman and a soldier. Passed away
peacefully, Bulawayo
24 April 2006.
JOHNSTONE-BUTCHER Captain Henry George. A life of service to God and
to his fellow man. At peace with Denny, safe in the arms of the
Lord. Will be sadly missed. Lara, Barry and Sarah.
JOHNSTONE-BUTCHER Captain Henry George. Beloved Pa and Grandpa. A
Christian soldier who did your best to help others, respected by all
who met you. May you rest with God whom you served. You will always
be with us in spirit. David, Vi and Gavin.
JOHNSTONE-BUTCHER Captain Henry George. Gone so suddenly, a man who
saw and achieved so much. Rest with Gran. Love Sean, Denise,
Kirsten and Kylie.
HARRY ERWEE
Died suddenly at home on 26 April 2006
Our friend and a long-standing member
who dedicated his life to the well-being of the environment - its
birds, animals and plants
Further information will follow
BLZ Matabeleland
Inspiration of the Day:
Are you the kind of person who has a hard time waiting for anything?
Here's some inspiration for you: Hachiko, Japan's most celebrated
canine. A dog who walked his owner to the train station every day and
came back to receive him in the evening after work. When his owner
died one day while at office, this faithful dog refused to go home
and waited patiently at the station -- for ten years(!) -- until his
own passing. To see the bronze statue erected at the station that
thousands of dog-lovers and travellers from around the world visit
each year, click here. http://charityfocus.org/php-bin/qad.php?n=2348
Be The Change:
Who are the Hachikos (patient supporters) in your life? Take a moment
to remember the love and support of a friend whose steadfast presence
in your life has made a difference. Drop them a note of appreciation.
Today.
Ideas won't work unless you do. -- Author Unknown
Good News of the Day:
Twenty years ago, Nepal's infant-mortality rate was 133 for every
1,000 births, with most of the babies claimed by pneumonia and
diarrhoea. By the 1980s, they had found the culprit -- lack of
Vitamin A in the Nepalese diet. But no one could implement an
effective program to deliver a low-cost vitamin-A capsule that could
be taken as infrequently as twice a year. That was until Ram
Shrestha hit upon a brilliant insight -- get the grandmothers to
volunteer! Today, the infant mortality rate has been halved, thanks
to 49,000 grandmothers distributing Vitamin A to 3.5 million Nepalese
children. http://charityfocus.org/php-bin/qad.php?n=2359
Be The Change:
Have an idea that will promote some good in the world? Want to read
about other people's idea to improve society? Check out Global Ideas
Bank. http://charityfocus.org/php-bin/qad.php?n=2359a
I see your life as already artful, waiting, just waiting and ready
for you to make it art. -- Toni Morrison
Fact of the Day:
Artist Michael Daube was rummaging through a dumpster near his Jersey
City loft, looking for sculpture materials, when he came across a
David Hockney drawing worth $30,000! The son of a steel worker and a
housewife, neither a high school graduate, Michael took off for
India. While working at Mother Teresa's mission in Calcutta, he asked
her how he might practice compassion $18,000 richer. She suggested
opening a school in the country's poorest, most heavily tribal state,
rural Orissa. What started then is now Citta: a nonprofit serving
marginalised communities with schools, hospitals, orphanages and
centres in Mexico, Nepal, and India. http://qad.charityfocus.org/more.php?n=2347
Be The Change:
Ever find an unexpected $5 note in your jacket pocket? The next time
you find an unexpected gift, use a part of it for serving others.
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