HIV/AIDS Epidemic Devastates Zimbabwe

Local Art Gallery Supports Grassroots Projects

HIV/AIDS has had unimaginable and devastating consequences for the people of Zimbabwe. The epidemic is so huge it has impacted up to three generations in many families. Zimbabwe has the fifth highest HIV/AIDS infection rate in the world, but the country’s political and economic instability makes donors reluctant to help.

In Zimbabwe:

- Every 20 minutes another child is orphaned as a result of the AIDS epidemic.

- Over one million children have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS. The majority of them live fragile, marginalized lives.

- The number of orphans increased 450% from 1988 to 2003 (from 245,000 to 1.14 million).

- Every week, 2,000 - 3,000 adults die from AIDS.

- One in four adults is HIV positive.

- AIDS is now responsible for nine of every ten deaths in the 15 – 49 year old age group.

- Largely due to HIV/AIDS, life expectancy at birth has dropped from 58 years, in the early 1980s, to 37.8 years and is expected to drop further.

- Women are disproportionately affected, accounting for more than half of all HIV inflections.

- An extremely poor country, Zimbabwe has experienced a contraction in gross domestic product of around 30% since 1999.

- Inflation is running at over 1,000%.

An entire generation is disappearing due to HIV/AIDS.

Bailieboro resident and owner of the ZimArt Rice Lake Gallery, Fran Fearnley, has been a regular visitor to Zimbabwe since 1998. The former editor-in-chief of Today’s Parent magazine (1987 – 1997) and trustee of the Peterborough County public school board (1985-1991), Fearnley first saw the devastation being caused by HIV/AIDS when volunteering in South Africa in 1998 – 1999.

For four years Fearnley has been helping to raise funds for The Stephen Lewis Foundation, one of the few donor agencies still supporting initiatives in Zimbabwe. “It all started with a musical fundraiser in Toronto in August 2003, where we raised $15,000.” she explains. This year ZimArt has donated $5,000 to The Stephen Lewis Foundation and raised another $1,650. “The funds will be directed to the Mavambo Trust, a project I visited with ZimArt’s Zimbabwean representative, Biggie Chikodzi, on my recent trip to Zimbabwe. They are doing wonderful work with HIV/AIDS orphans, who have not had a chance to be part of the formal school system, providing basic skill development in small classes, with lots of one-on-one attention.”

ZimArt continues to raise funds for The Stephen Lewis Foundation through soliciting donations and by donating sculptures to foundation events. But, instead of donating a portion of proceeds from sales to The Stephen Lewis Foundation, as she has done in the past, Fearnley is financing grassroots projects which cannot hope to get international funding. “The Canadian Embassy in Harare helped us connect with women-led projects supporting HIV/AIDS orphans and ZimArt has provided micro-financing for two groups so far, one is a group of 20 prostitutes, looking after more than 60 children, and desperate to earn a living without prostituting themselves.” Fearnley explains. Currently in Canada for the Rice Lake exhibition, Mr, Chikodzi, says, “Visiting these projects was a real eye opener for me. I have learned a lot about my own country. And I have seen the positive change that can happen at the grass roots.”

Fearnley continues, “Now we are working with the Buddhist run Ropka Centre in Harare, to fund the development of a seven acre organic garden for Saint Marcellin’s Children’s Village, an orphanage in Harare. When you are on the ground in Zimbabwe a few thousand dollars can go a very long way.”

ZimArt’s annual Shona sculpture exhibition at Rice Lake, now in its seventh year, is one of key opportunities for fundraising. Last year $3,197 was received in donations for The Stephen Lewis Foundation. Admission to Rice Lake VII is free, even for the opening and closing parties (September 9 and September 17, 3.00 – 7.00 pm), when visitors will be entertained by the live music of Nymansango Marimba Ensemble. This is a great opportunity for area residents to contribute to HIV/AIDS projects in Zimbabwe, while enjoying beautiful art from that country, in a stunning rural setting.
“Last year we welcomed over 2,500 visitors to the exhibition,” Fearnley says. “If we have the same number of visitors this year and everyone donates $5 we could raise $12,500. That’s the goal!” It’s a goal echoed by Ilana Landsberg-Lewis, Executive Director of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. “I first met Fran in 2003, when the Foundation was a fledgling organisation, operating from my house. It’s very rewarding to have long-term relationships with people who continue to support our efforts.”
In November 2006, in collaboration with the Canadian Embassy in Harare, ZimArt will hold an exhibit in the sculpture gardens at the National Art Gallery of Zimbabwe. An Inuit sculptor will be invited to attend from Canada. ZimArt will be curating the show and will donate 50 sculptures for sale with all proceeds going to grassroots HIV/AIDS projects in Zimbabwe.
More information on ZimArt’s fundraising activities is available at the Fundraising section of the website, www.zimart.ca. Community groups raising funds for The Stephen Lewis Foundation, or any HIV/AIDS projects in Zimbabwe, are also invited to contact ZimArt and request a donated sculpture for auction or sale.
Rice Lake VII takes place September 10 – 17, 2006, with an opening party on September 9, 3.00 – 7.00 p.m. Further details and directions can be found at www.zimart.ca.