September 6th 2005
London

Dear All,

Thank you all so much for supporting this cause which is close to my heart and which I know, for many of you, seems so far away.

Compared to the many tens of thousands of suffering Zimbabweans, who wake this morning, like every morning, unsure how they are going to eat and survive, most of us live lives of unimaginable ease, luxury and freedom.

Since the end of May, the government’s continued assault on its people has reached new extremes as Zimbabwe’s urban poor have become the latest victims of a government which seems completely removed from reality. The regime’s forced evictions and mass destruction of property, livelihoods and life in the capital Harare have stripped victims of the meagre possessions it has taken them a lifetime of hard work to accumulate. Countless numbers of men, women, children, the elderly and the sick, continue to sleep in the open air in winter temperatures close to freezing. And this, in a country, which is already spiralling towards self-destruction, mass starvation, rampant AIDS and gross abuse of individual freedom.

I promise you that we will do everything in our power to make sure every cent of your donations directly reach those most in need – to feed and clothe people, to increase their opportunity and to help protect them from a brutal regime.

As you all know Gillian and I spend considerable time in Africa. So many times we have met individuals suffering desperate hardship whose courage, spirit and humanity inspire and humble us. They deserve a better future. By your generosity and compassion, you help to make this a possibility.

Once again thank you.

Jules
Zimbabwe Benefit Foundation