Zimbabwe is a nation
in extreme crisis. Inflation sours above 10000%.
Roughly 1-2 million children are orphaned by the
AIDS pandemic. Many roam the nation in search of
food and shelter. Child abuse is rampant with sexual
assaults on young girls and boys all too often becoming
the norm. Life expectancy has dropped to less than
30 years.
Despite the tragedy, Zimbabwe remains one of the most beautiful countries in Africa. Green hills contrast against a bright blue sky. White whips of clouds meander lazily through the atmosphere and can quickly grow dark before releasing a quick, cooling down pour in the late afternoon. The country's Victoria Falls, discovered by David Livingston, is among the most famous wonders of the world. And diamonds are one of the nation's most acclaimed natural resources.
But Zimbabwe's most precious asset is its people. And they are dying and in desperate need of your help.
History
Zimbabwe is situated in south-central Africa, covering an area of 390,000 sq. miles - almost three times the size of England and the same size as California. It's northern border with Zambia is formed by the Zambezi, Africa's fourth largest river after the Nile, the Congo and the Niger. Mozambique lies to the east and the Limpopo river marks Zimbabwe's southern boundary with South Africa.
Physically, the country is divided by a high central plateau, known as the highveld. Most of this predominantly fertile plateau is 2000 meters above sea level and consists of mopane and msasa savanna woodlands. The most noteworthy mountainous region is the Eastern Highlands which run for nearly more than 100 km along the border with Mozambique comprising Nyanaga, the Vumba and the Chimanimani Mountains at it's southern end. The underlying granite, exposed by years of erosion, is seen in it's most dramatic form in the Matobo hills, south of Bulawayo.
It is from this rugged and beautiful geography that Zimbabwe is named. Derived from the Shona (the native language of most Zimbabweans) zimba remabwe, the name Zimbabwe literally means "big stone house."
Zimbabwe was part of Rhodesia until the United Kingdom annexed Southern Rhodesia from the South Africa Company in 1923. A 1961 constitution was formulated that favored whites in power. In 1965 the government unilaterally declared its independence, but the UK did not recognize the act and demanded more complete voting rights for the black African majority in the country. UN sanctions and a guerrilla uprising finally led to free elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe) in 1980. Robert MUGABE, the nation's first prime minister, has been the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) and has dominated the country's political system since independence.
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