HUMANITARIAN FOR ZIMBABWE

Our Stake has been given a unique opportunity to provide some special humanitarian aide to the people of Zimbabwe. In a letter that was given to me it states, "Once one of the wealthiest nations in sub-Saharan Africa, Zimbabwe has experienced a profound political, social, and economic crisis since the late 1990's, which has led to rising levels of peverty, the fastest shrinking economy in the world, and a critical humanitarian situation. In 2008, problems in Zimbabwe reached crisis proportions in the areas of living standards, public health and various public considerations. They experienced a major cholera outbreak in December of 2008. The amount of time a Zimbabwean citizen is expected to live healthily at birth is 34 years old for males and 33 years old for females. The infant mortality rate is 81 deaths per 1000 live births. Yet there is hope for this country. We can do so much to improve their lives by sharing what we have."
Each auxillary in the ward has been given a few "suggested" items. You can contact the leaders of the auxilliaries if you need to know what your children or youth are supposed to donate.
Each sister in the ward has been asked to donate 2 specific things if you can:

Sisters under the age of 50- laundry soap (I'm thinking this is like felsnaptha or a bar of laundry soap and not liquid or powder.) and a can of tuna in OIL.

Sisters age 50 and over-hand soap/bar soap and a pair of reading glasses-any strength.

Here is a list of other items that you can donate:

Books, bibles especially as the African people have a great reverence and respect for the Lords word.
Water Purification tablets and purification bottles
Baby formula, for mom's with HIV to feed their babies and bottles
New Born kits
School kits
Hygiene kits
Notebooks to write in
Pens
Clothing, babies, children/teen etc.
Primary children's church clothing
Missionary clothing for elders: white shirts, ties, suits, shoes, backpacks, belts, sweaters.
Missionary clothing for Sister Missionaries: dresses, skirts, tops, sweaters, shoes.
Antiseptic soap/bar soap
First aid kits (however, NO MEDICINES) bandages/band-aids, splints, gauze, tape, etc.
Seeds, non-hybrid
Towels
Blankets, flat sheets
Underwear
Sweaters
Socks
Shoes
Hats, any type
Toys/balls

**They prefer Cotton clothing as they do live in a warmer climate**
Please take your donations to Barbara Kemp's house 365 Orchard Ave (across from the back of the church) before Monday Nov. 22. She will have a box or bag at her front entrance if she is not home. Make sure you sign your name in the notebook or put a picture of yourself or family. This notebook will be sent to Zimbabwe.

If you have any questions please call a member of the Relief Society Presidency. Thank you for your service Sisters!!