top of page
Search

A Spring of Life in a Dry Land

sandyelsworth

I need to tell the story of the small community at St Thomas, Magunje before I finish. We arrived at around midday after a challenging journey from Harare.


I should point out, as an aside, that when talking about almost anything in this dysfunctional country, you use the adjective "challenging". Thus we have the statements such as: "the water is a challenge", "the traffic, it is a challenge.", "the food prices, it is a challenge." etc. And the point about this adjective is that is in invariably an colossal understatement, on a scale which would be unbelievable elsewhere in the world. It is simply that to explain the precise nature of the matter at hand is essentially beyond words, more easily captured in the phrase "It is a challenge."


In the case of travel, I consider it a miracle that we arrive at our destination without a serious mishap - minor mishaps are to be expected.

And so we arrived at St Thomas', another low building set among green mielie fields at the intersection of two dirt roads. The community were there to meet us, as usual, but we had to duck into the building quickly due to a sudden rain shower, and we each found a plastic chair and sat in a circle. The Introductions were made - the names were too quick for me to record, even if I could spell them, which was unlikely. But there was no doubting the enthusiasm with which we were welcomed.


We had completed the drilling and construction of a new borehole behind the church in the week before Christmas, and I needed to come to review the construction, and made determination on the siting of the solar panels, the distribution system and storage arrangements. So obviously there was an air of celebration and hope among the community, particularly as the testing had indicated an exceptional yield was possible from the new borehole.


The rural Dean, Fr Doma, opened the proceedings with a prayer, and thanks were expressed to TZABA and myself for the works. And once again, I feel an imposter as I get all the acclamation and glory for the TZABA donors, but hey, I might as well make the most of it. So I get up and express our support and joy at partnering with communities like St Thomas' - people who have to make the project work. "You are the real water, the real spring of hope and life in Magunje. We come and go, but you remain and do the hard work. So thank you for your care and commitment and work in the community!"

And then I clapped them, and started dancing and celebrating them. So this seems to have started a singing and dancing movement, and it wasn't long before everyone was up and clapping and moving. And boy, can they sing! The drums kicked in, and the ulalating women clicked and rocked and sang and clapped and cheered ... I quickly got my video running - after all, even the rural Dean was up and at it, hands in the air, dancing and cheering. Puts our rather formal Anglican services in Tunbridge Wells to shame...

But I wish to record particularly the Chair of the Mothers Union for the church, Mrs Beauty Makoni. What a lady. Clearly she has a heart and passion for the church and community, but clearly doesn't take prisoners, as we say. Attending our gathering were two members from the Local Council, who were given a lecture by Mrs Makoni on the roads and boundaries of the church, and what should be done. I must confess that felt a bit sorry for them, but they still invited us all out to a meal at the the local eatery - an option of sadza with chicken, or sadza with beef. I requested, as usual, some bananas, my meal of choice where I can, and a dozen bananas were duly found, amidst laughter and wonder at how I could prefer that to sadza and beef? Very confusing.


Again, we gave our message about the water and the borehole being their for the community, but it seemed unnecessary. Of course the church exists for the community. It is the Spring in the centre of the village that overflows with abundance to those who need. That is who they are, and what they live for.


The western concept of Individualism, of selfish hoarding and accummulation does exist, in clear sight, in the cities with the gross expenditure and ostentatious displays of wealth. But in the small villages and town it seemed there is a greater recognition of how each person depends on each other. This is best expressed through Ubantu, an African term describing a person's connectedness to others, a centerpiece of the philosophy promoted by Mandela. You are because I am. What use is it to me to have lots of water if you have none.


As usual, I am humbled and overwhelmed by the people. And so I do what I can do, enjoy the new relationships and new songs. Make my notes, and we return on another "challenging" journey through the rains to Harare, with a singing heart.


Thank you for reading.


Sandy Elsworth 31 January 2025



48 views1 comment

Recent Posts

See All

1 comentario


Shingirai Sibanda
Shingirai Sibanda
4 days ago

Thanks for coming to Magunje. You had played a critical role in empowering the church and the community at large. Thank you so much let the Lord keep on blessing you

Me gusta

Subscribe Form

Thanks for submitting!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

©2020 by TZABA. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page