A visit to a library
It is the best of times and the worst of times
Dear world, I may be in Zimbabwe heaven, or at the gates of it. You see, for months on end now I have been on the road and involved in customer service squabbles which made me feel like leaving Zimbabwe for somewhere with better care for other people. But now, I am in an area of the capital city where most businesses and people are super kind to each other. Customer service here is usually in English and it is stellar. This week I visited a satellite library of the Harare Public Library. I believe I am going to become a member soon and I will tell you more about the Mt Pleasant library itself then. But for now, let me tell you about my encounter with the lady who provides security for the library. Now in a previous newsletter, you would already know this was the beginning of a rant. Security people tend to be at the bottom of the rung here in Zimbabwe when it comes to a business setup. They have the nickname maHobho and we all know what HoBo means. Haha, However, it’s different here except at night, the security can look pretty homeless as they are bundled up in mismatched layers to stay warm during the winter or cold summer nights. Anyway, back to this library encounter.
I arrived at the library and expected a librarian to be at the counter. There was none. A burly lady was seated in a corner waiting to see what I was doing. She wore the blue uniform of a security person. I approached her, ignorant of all protocols for this space. Usually, that does not bode well. But she was kind as I said, “It’s my first time here, so I don’t know all zvinodiwa” (I dont know all that’s required of me). She smiled, told me the rates, and showed me where some of the details were written. We proceeded to talk a little as I let her know I didn’t have any change on me for the $ 1-a-day option which would have been a great way to test the hanging out outside of home idea. We discussed some housekeeping stuff and the children’s side of the library as well as the grown-up’s side. Then I asked to look around the library before leaving. As I was leaving we exchanged a few words and laughed as quietly as we could in the library. I was telling her how excited I was to find a space like this one that was functional, and quiet and that I would be back and would be a member. She then said, “The children, don’t forget the children. Bring them to the library with you.” She was referring to the many children’s reading and storytime programs the library has. I left feeling great that someone thought I had a family and that the customer care was stellar. And it was in English with a tiny bit of Shona.
Then I walked out of the library and followed a sign to the Public swimming. Even as I made my way there I thought I would be taking pictures of a dry pool bed, and some other abandoned broken down equipment. Imagine my surprise when I was greeted by slurping water and a wet floor at the entrance of the public pool. There was a tuckshop inside selling stuff, and one caucasian person swimming. It looked well kept and I thought to myself: There are places where it’s easy to be positive. Now usually, the life coach would say something like, the goal in life is to try and hold composure no matter where you are. To be determined as the situation looks discouraging. And to find the good even when the darkness seems overwhelming. Of course, one way to find the good is to find forgiveness for yourself when all these goals fail and to try again. I think I am going with that last statement right there.
I am forgiving myself for ever losing composure as a lot of life in Zimbabwe looked bleak and filled with a lack of opportunity. I believe I am close to that space where I will be speaking more positively about my life in Zimbabwe. Wait for it! With the change in scenery, I am finding a change in what influences my views on the country. As I see the various businesses built and the cars the owners drive I wonder if towing the party line is what gave them these freedoms. Sometimes you truly can’t beat them, and joining them is merely a formality of victory elsewhere namely in business. I used to have qualms about what felt like selling out, and how to care for the common person. Maybe capitalism has an answer here: create value for people, and improve their lives while being paid for it. Maybe my gift to Zimbabwe is what I can create, and build, the people I can employ. To do that I might need to say, “Pamberi neZ…”
Until next week, I am excited about the positivity that seems to be swelling around me. Much work remains to be done, but a positive attitude can go a long way to smoothen that. Strange times, good times! It indeed is the best of times, and the worst of times, little did I know Charlie Dickens was describing two different parts of town!