Runners will be hoping to raise awareness about the drastic situation in Zimbabwe as well as funds when they take part in the Edinburgh Marathon, Hairy Haggis Relay, on 25 May. Jesuit Missions have three teams running in the event. One team consists of runners raising funds for Makumbi Mission, Zimbabwe, while the other two teams, from St Ignatius’ College in North London, are running to raise funds for a scholarship fund for their partner school, St Ignatius Prep and Primary School in Tanzania. 

“Zimbabwe is quietly bleeding to death while politicians debate and deliberate,” says Ashleigh Callow from Jesuit Missions. “Inflation has gone through the roof in the country: £1 equates to 400 million Zimbabwean dollars. So we very much hope that by taking part in the Hairy Haggis Relay, the team will increase awareness about the situation in the country, in addition to raising valuable funds.”

Zimbabweans continue to experience intimidation and violence following the elections of 29 March. One associate of the Jesuits in Zimbabwe texted the following message:

“The post election situation is tense – they’re accusing teachers and residents that we voted MDC (the Opposition Party) …  People are being beaten up for not voting for the ruling party. We are living in limbo at present.”

Another described the situation as very bad. “It seems as if there is no one who can challenge this man (President Robert Mugabe)! Oh, our whole world is beautiful but Zimbabwe is becoming a house of horror. No food. No home. No health. No proper education.”

And a third text message read: “Our friend ‘L’ was beaten last night by soldiers on his way home from the doctor (L suffers from AIDS). Mugabe’s police are everywhere. I don’t like it. We have no money to buy food and all shops are closed anyway. Can you help please or we will soon be dead?”

Jesuit Missions are also asking Britons to use their voices on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe.

“For Zimbabweans, silence kills,” says Ashleigh Callow. “So we’re asking people to speak out and lobby their local MPs.  Our runners are aware of the obstacles and challenges that lie before them.  But they won’t be forced into having to run the 26 miles again. That’s the situation that Zimbabweans find themselves in: forced into a re-run despite having gone the distance at the elections on 29 March.”

If you would like to support the Jesuit Missions teams in the Edinburgh Marathon or find out more about the Jesuits’ work in support of the people of Zimbabwe, please contact Ashleigh Callow on 020 8946 0466 – ashleigh.callow@jesuitmissions.org.uk

A Prayer for Zimbabwe from Jesuit Mission: www.jesuitmissions.org.uk/zimbabweprayer/index.htm

For more information about the Hairy Haggis Marathon see: www.edinburgh-marathon.com/?relay