Today, working in Zimbabwe is not easy. Up until a decade ago, it was one of the most flourishing and best-organized countries of the African continent, but today it is a nation that is undergoing a terrible crisis. Galloping inflation (in June it reached 3,700%) has paralysed all trade. The difference between the official and black market exchange rates means that international aid is almost impossible. In shops there is a shortage of basic necessities. Those workers who have not lost their jobs have in any case seen their savings evaporate, and in many cases, their wages are not sufficient to buy the minimum amount of food necessary for survival. This is the catastrophic situation in which missionaries have to work every day.
But in Hwange, in the north-west of Zimbabwe, in a rather arid and desolate area, the Salesian missionaries are building a structure for young people that seems to be something of a miracle.
Invited to Hwange by the local bishop in 2000, the Children of Don Bosco settled in the area precisely when the country was starting to collapse. After having built the mission, the Sons of Don Bosco started to prepare a project for a youth centre and a technical college, but these quickly came to a halt when faced with the difficulties in importing building materials. Years of delay and the progressive deterioration of the overall situation seemed to have dispelled all hope of actually completing the project. After having tried in all directions and knocked on all doors, it seemed unlikely that a feasible solution could be found. When the Missions Secretary visited them in Autumn 2005, the missionaries could only express their discouragement. Having seen the objective difficulties of the situation, the Superior suggested doing what Don Bosco did, and place themselves in the hands of the Madonna. In March 2006, all the houses of the Inspectorate were invited to celebrate the Novena. And that is when everything started to move forward. During the Novena, Father Chester from the Hwange mission at last obtained the permission that the Ministry had refused for years, and so it was finally possible to start building the halls for the youth centre and college. Now the mission echoes with the voices of young people from this unfortunate region. There is still a lot to be done, and the completion of the technical college is still a long way off. It is an objective that can be reached only by means of constant support from the Madonna, in whom Don Bosco and his children have always had faith.