Deluged with torrential rain, the walk came to a sodden halt. We started again in the afternoon.
Allow me to explain our “Pop up” classes programme, it’s a transformational work and it’s tragic we can’t expand it across Zimbabwe.
Please close you eyes and just imagine what it must be like to be a single mother, living in a slum where misogyny and violence rule. You are trapped. Your regular rapist lives freely down the road and laughs when you pass. the police are useless; there is no affordable healthcare or social services or education. Oh yes, the unemployment rate is 95% and if you are lucky you are living on a dollar a day. Some women have to use their bodies as cash machines to survive.
Just imagine this. I discovered a remarkable charity eighteen years ago that brings relief to a few of these desperate families: ZANE has backed it ever since.
The first stage is to build slowly the previously shattered confidence of a tiny minority of these women to enable them to teach. When they are ready they can teach a total of 72 children (6-12) at a time.
The books and teaching materials are stored in six suitcases, hence the “Pop up” name. The Kids learn basic numeracy and literacy, song, dance, physical education, and Bible study with the aim of preparing them for mainstream school. Dozens of children have progressed and many fees are paid with ZANE scholarships. The classes provide a safe, secure environment for the children. We aim to build their confidence, enable them feel to valued and allow them to show love and compassion. For many, the pop-up classes is a rare refuge from their chaotic home lives. Each child gobbles up a hot meal every day, for most their only meal. In addition, they learn basic farming techniques and grow vegetables to subsidise the meals.
ZANE is hugely proud if this work. Sad we cant just roll it out.
Please note that ZANE allows choice to donors as to which work they want to support. We pay tribute to those who back our precious “Pop up” classes programme.
Armchair Assassins
At a recent supper party, a man with a crimson face and tiny eyes began tearing into the reputation of Boris Johnson. We’ve all heard this sort of thing before. He was clearly projecting his dissatisfaction with his own failed life onto someone he’s never even met.
I couldn’t resist joining in for I heartily despise the thoughtless criticism of people in public life. The speakers always imply that if they were in charge, they would do a far better job – which is almost certainly a lie! People in high office deserve our prayers, not wanton abuse.
“Hold on,” I replied. “You’re a retired circuit judge?” Crimson Face nodded. “And you claim Boris is a useless buffoon?” He nodded again.
“Don’t forget he was the lead writer for the Daily Telegraph, arguably one of the great newspapers of our time,” I reminded him. “I would like to be a lead writer at the DT, but I’m just not good enough. Do you think you are?” Crimson Face’s cheeks went a shade darker, and his mouth opened and closed like a carp’s.
“Boris was also the editor of the Spectator,” I continued. “I’d like to have edited the Speccie, but I’m not good enough. Are you?
“He was then the Conservative Mayor of London – twice. Remember, it’s a Labour city. I would like to have been Mayor even once, but I’m simply not good enough. Are you?”
No reply.
Boris was then Foreign Secretary. I’d like to have been Foreign Secretary – imagine all those first-class flights, wonderful meals and grand conferences, with no direct responsibilities. But I wasn’t and it’s too late for me now anyway – and I probably wasn’t good enough. Are you?”
No reply.
“He followed that by becoming prime minister for three years. I’d like to have been PM for even a day. But I doubt I have what it takes. Do you?”
No reply.
“Boris was arguably the most consequential Prime Minister since Thatcher. He campaigned for the “leave” vote, then in 2019, when Parliament was stalemated, he forced us out in compliance with the wishes of the British people expressed in the referendum. You may not agree, but this was mighty consequential.
“It’s all in his excellent book Unleashed. Have you read it? And whatever you may think, he isn’t a useless buffoon!”
A sullen “No”.
I made an enemy that evening, but I don’t care.
The Speed Illusion
Points on your license! A speed awareness course! Complaining about 20mph?
Look, driving very fast is unpleasant and dangerous. It leads to longer braking distances, higher energy consumption, an increased risk of accidents and fatalities, and the likelihood of receiving speeding points or even losing your licence – not to mention the risk of being mistaken for a reverse-baseball-hatted yob. And yet, the very thing we’re usually trying to achieve – a reduction in journey time – is often barely gained.
Take it from me – the faster you go, the less time you save by going say 10 miles per hour faster. Accelerate from 20 to 30 and you save 10 minutes for every 10 miles you are travelling. Accelerate from 70 to 80mph and you save under a minute.
Remember, you heard it from ZANE first.
