here is a story I found on the web and describes what it is like for farmers in zimbabwe.
My name is Graeme Simmonds. I am 13 years old and I used to live on a farm in Zimbabwe. My best friend is my Labrador dog, his name is Josh. This is our story.
Josh was born in August 2000, he had seven other brothers and sisters. I chose him when he was 5 days old and right form the beginning, i knew he was going to be special. He was the best Christmas present I have ever had. We did everything together. I hated going back to boarding school on a Monday morning, but every Friday he was waiting for me and we always had busy weekends. My brother and I loved to camp in the bush, before the times got bad, of course Josh was there. He loves swimming and he would always jump in after me, grab my arm and swim to the shallow end. I am a good swimmer, but I think he thought I was drowning and wanted to pull me to safety. We have done so many things together, it would take too long to share all our experiences.
Our world was turned upside down in April 2002, our farm was invaded by "warvets", they threatened to kill us, to trash our house and kill our. I will never forget the chaos and the confusion, the noise, the shouting, always the shouting. They would never go away and then lots more of them came and smashed the lock to our gate and poured into the garden shouting, waiving sticks and pieces of brake cable. All our dogs went crazy, growling and barking. Somehow we managed to get them into the houseand barricade ourselves in, for they surely would smashed their heads in. The cats had all scattered and we prayed and prayed that they would be allright. It was terrifying, I thought we were all going to die that day. the whole situation was so out of control. The farm radios were going crazy and all my dad's farming friends were on standby, waiting for the signal to come to our rescue, and still the POLICE DID NOT COME. Our two maids locked themselves in my bedroom and hid under the beds, they knew that if they were found, they would be beaten up dead.
The shouting and demands never stopped and then they broke into our house and there was nothing we could do. The main guy had a pistol under his arm and a big knife strapped to his waist and he kept shouting at my Dad and spitting on him. My Mum was crying and crying. I had put a leash on Josh and kept him at my side. My brother and I had to be strong and I knew then, that I had lost more than my childhood. We lost our home, we lost our livelihood.
The horses on the farm were shot, all our animals were taken away from us, except Josh and Milo, my brother's chocolate Labrador. He has since been put to sleep due to injuries and we could not save him and was buried in the beautiful garden to rest in peace.
Our lives have been in turmoil ever since and we are now going to live in New Zealand, where we can live a safe and normal life. We have said goodbye to our families and friends. My one granny is very frail, I don't think I will ever see her again. I asked my Mum to move Heaven and earth to help me get Josh relocated to new Zealand. I did not want him to go to another family, or to be put to sleep. Our prayers have been answered as he is in kennels in Pretoria thanks to Wet Nose assistance and I would like to personally thank all those who have worked so hard to try and keep me and Josh together.
The nightmares are fading, but I will never forget the horror and the sadness, but we have to look towards a bright new future and hope and pray that Josh will be able to come back home to me.
Thankyou for caring.
Graeme and Josh Simmonds.
while the rest of the world turned its head to the middle east, the farmers and families in zimbabwe were being slaughtered. Now the country is STARVING as there are no farmers to produce food. someone needs to take Mugabe out. pow!
Josh was born in August 2000, he had seven other brothers and sisters. I chose him when he was 5 days old and right form the beginning, i knew he was going to be special. He was the best Christmas present I have ever had. We did everything together. I hated going back to boarding school on a Monday morning, but every Friday he was waiting for me and we always had busy weekends. My brother and I loved to camp in the bush, before the times got bad, of course Josh was there. He loves swimming and he would always jump in after me, grab my arm and swim to the shallow end. I am a good swimmer, but I think he thought I was drowning and wanted to pull me to safety. We have done so many things together, it would take too long to share all our experiences.
Our world was turned upside down in April 2002, our farm was invaded by "warvets", they threatened to kill us, to trash our house and kill our. I will never forget the chaos and the confusion, the noise, the shouting, always the shouting. They would never go away and then lots more of them came and smashed the lock to our gate and poured into the garden shouting, waiving sticks and pieces of brake cable. All our dogs went crazy, growling and barking. Somehow we managed to get them into the houseand barricade ourselves in, for they surely would smashed their heads in. The cats had all scattered and we prayed and prayed that they would be allright. It was terrifying, I thought we were all going to die that day. the whole situation was so out of control. The farm radios were going crazy and all my dad's farming friends were on standby, waiting for the signal to come to our rescue, and still the POLICE DID NOT COME. Our two maids locked themselves in my bedroom and hid under the beds, they knew that if they were found, they would be beaten up dead.
The shouting and demands never stopped and then they broke into our house and there was nothing we could do. The main guy had a pistol under his arm and a big knife strapped to his waist and he kept shouting at my Dad and spitting on him. My Mum was crying and crying. I had put a leash on Josh and kept him at my side. My brother and I had to be strong and I knew then, that I had lost more than my childhood. We lost our home, we lost our livelihood.
The horses on the farm were shot, all our animals were taken away from us, except Josh and Milo, my brother's chocolate Labrador. He has since been put to sleep due to injuries and we could not save him and was buried in the beautiful garden to rest in peace.
Our lives have been in turmoil ever since and we are now going to live in New Zealand, where we can live a safe and normal life. We have said goodbye to our families and friends. My one granny is very frail, I don't think I will ever see her again. I asked my Mum to move Heaven and earth to help me get Josh relocated to new Zealand. I did not want him to go to another family, or to be put to sleep. Our prayers have been answered as he is in kennels in Pretoria thanks to Wet Nose assistance and I would like to personally thank all those who have worked so hard to try and keep me and Josh together.
The nightmares are fading, but I will never forget the horror and the sadness, but we have to look towards a bright new future and hope and pray that Josh will be able to come back home to me.
Thankyou for caring.
Graeme and Josh Simmonds.
while the rest of the world turned its head to the middle east, the farmers and families in zimbabwe were being slaughtered. Now the country is STARVING as there are no farmers to produce food. someone needs to take Mugabe out. pow!