A heartfelt Thank-you from Mduduzi.

I would like to send my heartfelt gratitude to you all for having decided to part ways with your finances to give towards the Go Fund Me organized by Louise Berry Ford. I believe in the preservation of the Rhodesian narrative, Rhodesia existed for 90 years and forgetting about it is an act of injustice to humanity. To date Zimbabwe enjoys the remnants of what once used to be a glorious Southern African territory.

May you always find the grace to encourage and impart this love for supporting this movement to your descendants, as some of you have friends and family buried in Zimbabwe. A lot of you have been just compelled to be a part of this humble movement, I am grateful. I define it as a movement because I believe that this work is bigger than me. I pray that it grows far and wide even when we are all buried and gone. This is possible if we stir up the spirit of history preservation and honoring the departed in the neglected cemeteries

My appreciation also goes to those of you who have put me in their prayers, during the course of this campaign, comforting and standing with me when nasty voices came from far and wide. I have become used to receiving these and if this work was not worth the attention of haters, it would not be attacked. Today, because of all of your unwavering support, I have given myself to this work and I am prepared to stand for it and meet whatever comes my way. This work has given me a sense of purpose more than any other work I have invested my time in. Each day has been a learning curve, each grave carrying its own story. Above all there is nothing more gratifying when this work has managed to reconnect old friends and family. There are individuals who make profit through helping people to search for their roots and some of these individuals have seen me as a threat to their existence. Eventually, they have realized that I walk on a totally different path and purpose, I research for the love of learning and joining dots more than material gain.

I would like to let you all know that over the past months this work has heavily relied on donations and handouts more than private engagements. I have also been blessed with the idea of starting a small broiler project. This has not only supplemented the finances needed for grave care, but it also helps us minister to the local orphanage in Fort Victoria (Masvingo) called Alpha Cottages. Our team has become a regular friend with them. I have also been blessed with two weed eaters by two Rhodesians still living in Zimbabwe. This will improve the pace at which we have to move inasmuch as cemetery restoration and preservation is concerned. It is important for this movement to have projects that are meant to sustain the work. The work environment in the cemeteries still has a long way to go, automatizing the way we work will greatly improve my team`s efficiency.

I would like to assure you that this vehicle comes as a blessing to this work, expect to see more leaps and stories being covered. For those who have friends or family buried here, you are welcome to share their story with me and if you consent, we can share them on our page. The main thrust of this work is retelling and preserving history, so please feel free to share your Rhodesian story.

My mother sends her heartfelt blessings to everyone, I shared with her about the GFM and she has been holding this campaign in prayer, she wishes you all well and your families. So does my wife, whom I am also thankful to for standing by me. Grave care is not an everyday calling here in Africa. People tend to mystify graves and had she freaked out, I feel like this work would have been affected. My wife is part of the team that does a lot behind the scenes in order for us to make the in-depth and fascinating presentations you have seen on our page.

Lastly I would like to thank Louise Berry Ford for allowing God to use her. Louise made it her responsibility and burden to push for this campaign to award us what it managed. Thank you my soul sister for not doubting me. I have conversed with some Rhodies who told me that for more than a year I was a scammer in their eyes and they thought that this one was very good scam. It is only natural and normal for anyone to be suspicious of what they do not understand. For one to see you once and have the fervency to help is a rare quality. Thank you for your kind heart, I pray that you may continue doing what you do for not only this cause, but others that will come your way.

The course of this work is driven by a passion, not for the quantity of graves, but rather for the quality of sentiment, honour and respect for the departed. I endeavor to count entire cemeteries instead of graves in the near future. Once more thank you for your love which continues to strengthen me to also work from a place of love. There is a bible verse that I would like you to take with you as you walk in this journey called life. Numbers 13 vs 24 to 26

Kind regards

Mduduzi