I read this story in Sunday’s New York Times on children fleeing Zimbabwe “for lives just as desolate” in South Africa, and wanted to share it here on the ONE Blog.

Below are some excerpts but you can read the full piece on their site.

With their nation in a prolonged sequence of crises, more unaccompanied children and women than ever are joining the rush of desperate Zimbabweans illegally crossing the frontier at the Limpopo River, according to the police, local officials and aid workers.

What they are escaping is a broken country where half the people are going hungry, most schools and hospitals are closed or dysfunctional and a cholera epidemic has taken a toll in the thousands. Yet they are arriving in a place where they are unwelcome and are resented as rivals for jobs. Last year, Zimbabweans were part of the quarry in a spate of mob attacks against foreigners….

South Africa’s national police force is exasperated by the crimes… most victims do not file complaints. After all, they are here illegally, unless remaining in the Showgrounds. “Last week, I had 1,500 ready for deportation,” he said.

The captain stood up, walking over to a computer screen. “We keep photos of the refugees killed near the border.”…

Mention of the children seemed to feed his exasperation. “Street kids, more all the time,” he said. “They come in as if they are playing in a game.”

He asked, “What do we do about these kids?”

-Virginia Simmons

On Friday, January 25th, Rockrimmon Elementary school in Colorado Springs produced a talent show to benefit ONE. The show was organized by six enterprising fifth graders (with help from their parents and teachers). It contained 40 acts and went off without a hitch. When asked why they did it, they said “Because we want to help the children of Africa.” One of the children had seen a video at her parents’ church during the summer and proposed the idea.

The children and parents had signed media releases, so we took photos, some of which are attached. These kids were adorable! They were also very well educated on the conditions in Africa. I am so proud of this display of compassion and perseverance.

If fifth grade children, on their own, can do this…what can we do?
–

Ann Marie Glasford – ONE Colorado Springs

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