Monday, February 04, 2008

Shady peanut butter deals?

Finding food is one our biggest challenges for the Zimbabwe School of Youth Leadership. For the Z.S.Y.L. we ask all of the Salvation Army divisions to contribute by bringing food items. This means that the students of the youth leadership school can eat for the 2 weeks or 1 week that we gather. Unfortunately, most divisions brought cash instead. It's hard to eat money! Of course, in a normal situation, you could just take that cash and go buy your items, but although some food is finding its way back into the shops, there are still some very bare shelves. The other problem with cash in Zim is that is loses value every day. OK, to be precise, in Zimbabwe we don't actually have money/cash, we use bearers' cheques, but you know what I mean. John and I decided that we would contribute the peanut butter for the week. Peanut butter (dovi) is used in porridge, vegetables, etc. So yummy. There is an officer who is raising orphans and selling peanut butter to supplement her income, so we decided to buy our 16 bottles from her. The price was $7 million, but last Monday she only gave us 13 bottles and said the other 3 would be coming. Last night I went to go pick them up. "Sorry, the price has gone up to $15 million per bottle. Can you give the top up?" Now, this is actually not an unusual situation in Zimbabwe - the price of an item more than doubling in a week. But when you already paid and agreed for last week's price? Seemed a bit shady to me... Sometimes it's hard to determine what's "normal" here never mind what's "fair."

2 comments:

jsi said...

That sounds unbelievably difficult to have an economy that swings so radically, so quickly, so unforgivingly. It truly sounds like "whatever the market will bear" rules the day, without mercy or grace.

What you describe sounds like an enormous obstacle to the infastructure of your community. It is almost economic suicide to behave "fair, prudent and generous" for anyone selling anything.

I see the peanut butter on my pantry shelf with a new light: this week was BOGO (Buy one, get one free)at the store and peanut butter to our family of 6 is crucial. It is an affordable protein, filling, salty and sweet and nutritious.

I am praying for your food provisions this week as you provide the sustance for those training and learning with you. I am praying that you encounter fairness, mercy, stability and honesty when it comes to the prices you must pay and from those who you will purchase.

I am praying for your peanut butter and the generosity of those around you. Shine in God's deep peace.

Cheryl Mouland said...

Hi John and Rochelle,
I just wanted to say how much I am enjoying your Blogspot. My Mom and Dad put me on to it, to give us all an idea of where they are headed in May. I hear Dad has been in touch with you getting the heads up on things. Your pictures are wonderful and Zimbabwe looks amazing! Again, thanks for your blogs and may God Bless your work in Zimbabwe!

Cheryl Rowe-Mouland