Melfort Glen September 2005
September 2005 Update from a Melfort Glen Supporter in Zimbabwe.
The home at the present time has 24 residents and the home is running at about two thirds capacity but the lack of funds means that there is just not enough money to support more residents at present.
The only national Charity involved with Melfort Glen in Zimbabwe is HELP AGE and their funds are very limited. There is unfortunately no support from the government and no pensions for the residents. With transport costs being so high and fuel almost non existent, Daniel the superintendent of Melfort Glen and Shepherd his deputy have to use a bicycle for travelling in the local area and even recent maintenance expenses on the bicycle have proved quite costly.
The local store is about 3 miles away so when funds are available some residents will go with a wheelbarrow in order to bring things back. However galloping inflation of 300 + percent means that there is very little in the shops and what there is proves to be very expensive.
For example in just over 3 years the price of bread, milk and other basic commodities have multiplied in price by a factor of 200!
Residents have been growing a lot of their own vegetables as well as mushrooms mainly for their own use but also to supplement income for the home. The farm has acquired some ducks, and a local Supporter of the project brought in a gang of helpers and built a pond for them.. However even trying to obtain food for the ducks is well nigh impossible. In recent years it became necessary to build a cemetery adjacent the home, as it was proving impossible to get any form of transport for any deceased residents. Sadly Dr Alison Brydone died earlier in the year and she had held regular medical clinics at the home. The nearest hospital is about 25 miles away.
There are only a few local farmers and supporters who continue to support Melfort Glen but they have rallied around and the residents have not gone hungry. Your support and help is always needed for the old folk at Melfort Glen.
Return to Melfort Glen homepage