CATHY BUCKLE'S LETTTER FROM ZIMBABWE!

Dear Family and Friends,

"Congratulations! You are a grandfather!" These were the words that greeted my friend Patson when he arrived back in the rural village after another arduous week working in the nearby town. His wife was sitting there outside their house holding a tiny baby in her arms. This miniscule little baby was Patson's grandson. Patson did not know his first born son had a girl friend or that she was pregnant. For a while Patson just stared at his wife and the baby and the young teenage mother who sat nearby. She was still a child herself and had not even finished school. The girl had given birth to the baby at her own rural village but then her mother had said she had no money and would not support them. They must go to the father of the baby - he and his parents must take this responsibility.

Patson said that as the reality of the grandchild sunk in he got angrier and angrier. Patson is the only member of the family who is employed and the burden is very heavy. With his very small wage he already supports his wife and two children, he buys all the food, toiletries, medicines, seeds and fertilizer. He pays school fees for his two children and always has the worry of how to buy any of the clothes, shoes and school uniforms needed. Now, with the grandchild, the burden had increased by three. Patson said" the load is just too heavy for me now."

For a whole day Patson would not speak to anyone. The congratulatory jokes and calls from neighbours in the village just enraged him more. He could not think of anything positive. He did not experience any of the emotions of being a grandparent - pride, euphoria, amazement, delight, joy and the desire to tell the whole world of the momentous news. Patson said all he could think about was how on earth he was going to cope with all this now.

The baby had nothing at all and so much was needed. Nappies, clothes, a blanket, a towel, cotton wool, vaseline - the list just went on and on. For a while Patson tried not to think about his new grandson and the overwhelming burden of responsibility. Patson was just 19 when Zimbabwe became Independent and Robert Mugabe came to power. Patson's son was born when Robert Mugabe was still in power and now his grandson has just been born and still Mr Mugabe is in power.

Patson thought about the news of the week, President Mugabe saying that there were"No Vacancies in the Presidency." Just as Patson could not accept a newgrandson, it seemed that the President also could not accept anyone else to lead Zimbabwe. At the end of the first day Patson's wife came in but he would still not speak to her or take food from her. Quietly she put the thin, naked baby down on the ground behind her husband. "Your musukuru (grandson) is at your back" she said to him. Patson said he didn't move or respond but after awhile he felt tiny feet kicking him and then he heard, for the first time,the voice of his grandson who began to cry. He turned and looked, and loved. This was his blood. A new Zimbabwean has been born, the child has no name yet, his beginnings will be impossibly difficult but with life comes hope. Until next week, thanks for reading. love cathy.

Copyright cathybuckle. 16 December 2006http:/africantears.netfirms.comMy Books "African Tears" and "Beyond Tears" are available from:orders@africabookcentre.com