A Zimbabwean love story in a time of crisis
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Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a violent crackdown as a result of protests concerning fuel prices, rising inflation, and food shortages. My fiancé, Owen, and his family are currently experiencing this firsthand.
Owen and I met when I went to Zimbabwe in the summer of 2018 to volunteer at a children's camp. We worked together on the same team, and soon realized that we share common interests, values, hobbies, and life goals. Although I did not want to enter into a long distance relationship, I strongly felt that I needed to give us a chance. He was and continues to be everything I ever wanted in a significant other. Starting a relationship with Owen was the best decision I have ever made. He is kind, patient, funny, loving, loyal, an amazing big brother, and the most positive human being I have ever known.
I returned to Zimbabwe for the holidays, and Owen proposed to me at a church youth banquet, and I said “yes”. We spent 10 beautiful days together, and the pain of saying goodbye was unbearable. We are deeply in love, and looking forward to beginning our life together.
Nine days after my return to the USA, protests and a violent crackdown broke out in Zimbabwe. Owen informed me on Tuesday night (January 15, 2019) that the government was going to shut down the internet and all social media as a result of a violent protest that broke out in Zimbabwe regarding fuel prices, unemployment, and lack of food. He assured me that he would be safe, since he would stay indoors and does not take part in protests. After 36 hours of not hearing from him, I began to worry. I had been following the news closely and saw that things were not stable. His mom, who lives in South Africa, informed me via WhatsApp that police were going door-to-door and targeted Owen. She said that he had been beaten, but at that point we did not know why, by whom, or how bad it was. The only thing that we could do was wait and pray. This morning (January 17,2019), Owen was able to send me an e-mail, and it really broke my heart. He was beaten by 9 police officers and military men for approximately 25 minutes after being accused of inciting violence, although he was in his kitchen when they came to look for him. He is such a positive soul, and in his message writes that the pain of missing me is worse than his physical pain, but truth be told, he is experiencing severe pain. He says that he cannot sit down, has pain in his ribs when he breaths, and has to take breaks after walking 8 steps. His siblings are safe, but they almost came after his little brother, too (he is 16 years old).
Once again, the internet has been shutdown, and I have not been able to be in contact with my soulmate. Innocent civilians are being brutally beaten, and one of them was the love of my life. For this reason, I am starting this GoFundMe page to raise funds for his passport, visa, his first plane trip to America (he has never flown!) to marry me, and for daily food and medical expenses (inflation has made daily living extremely difficult).
Update: On January 19th, I received the first call from Owen since the brutal attack. He went into some of the details, but wanted to spare me the pain of all he had endured. He was beaten with hockey sticks and batons, and the soldiers held down his neck, as each took turns. He mentioned that he would flee to his aunt's house, as he heard that the soldiers and police were planning on coming back on the 21st (Monday) to punish the looters, and he was worried that they would come for him again. He stated that his body could not survive another beating like the one that he experienced. We were able to speak for a substantial amount of time, but then the network went out again. I began to worry when I did not hear from him again after 12 hours, and that is when I checked online for the latest news reports. I found the following article stating that night raids were being conducted in his town and in his unit. When you click on the article below, you will see the units affected. He lives in Unit D in Seke!
https://www.zimeye.net/2019/01/19/chitungwiza-residents-live-in-fear-of-soldiers-police-night-raids/
Update: Since January 21, Owen has been at his aunt's house in a neighboring town that has been unaffected by the protests and raids. He is recovering, and is grateful to be alive. He wants to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support.
Thank you for partnering with us through prayers, encouragement, and support!
Owen and I met when I went to Zimbabwe in the summer of 2018 to volunteer at a children's camp. We worked together on the same team, and soon realized that we share common interests, values, hobbies, and life goals. Although I did not want to enter into a long distance relationship, I strongly felt that I needed to give us a chance. He was and continues to be everything I ever wanted in a significant other. Starting a relationship with Owen was the best decision I have ever made. He is kind, patient, funny, loving, loyal, an amazing big brother, and the most positive human being I have ever known.
I returned to Zimbabwe for the holidays, and Owen proposed to me at a church youth banquet, and I said “yes”. We spent 10 beautiful days together, and the pain of saying goodbye was unbearable. We are deeply in love, and looking forward to beginning our life together.
Nine days after my return to the USA, protests and a violent crackdown broke out in Zimbabwe. Owen informed me on Tuesday night (January 15, 2019) that the government was going to shut down the internet and all social media as a result of a violent protest that broke out in Zimbabwe regarding fuel prices, unemployment, and lack of food. He assured me that he would be safe, since he would stay indoors and does not take part in protests. After 36 hours of not hearing from him, I began to worry. I had been following the news closely and saw that things were not stable. His mom, who lives in South Africa, informed me via WhatsApp that police were going door-to-door and targeted Owen. She said that he had been beaten, but at that point we did not know why, by whom, or how bad it was. The only thing that we could do was wait and pray. This morning (January 17,2019), Owen was able to send me an e-mail, and it really broke my heart. He was beaten by 9 police officers and military men for approximately 25 minutes after being accused of inciting violence, although he was in his kitchen when they came to look for him. He is such a positive soul, and in his message writes that the pain of missing me is worse than his physical pain, but truth be told, he is experiencing severe pain. He says that he cannot sit down, has pain in his ribs when he breaths, and has to take breaks after walking 8 steps. His siblings are safe, but they almost came after his little brother, too (he is 16 years old).
Once again, the internet has been shutdown, and I have not been able to be in contact with my soulmate. Innocent civilians are being brutally beaten, and one of them was the love of my life. For this reason, I am starting this GoFundMe page to raise funds for his passport, visa, his first plane trip to America (he has never flown!) to marry me, and for daily food and medical expenses (inflation has made daily living extremely difficult).
Update: On January 19th, I received the first call from Owen since the brutal attack. He went into some of the details, but wanted to spare me the pain of all he had endured. He was beaten with hockey sticks and batons, and the soldiers held down his neck, as each took turns. He mentioned that he would flee to his aunt's house, as he heard that the soldiers and police were planning on coming back on the 21st (Monday) to punish the looters, and he was worried that they would come for him again. He stated that his body could not survive another beating like the one that he experienced. We were able to speak for a substantial amount of time, but then the network went out again. I began to worry when I did not hear from him again after 12 hours, and that is when I checked online for the latest news reports. I found the following article stating that night raids were being conducted in his town and in his unit. When you click on the article below, you will see the units affected. He lives in Unit D in Seke!
https://www.zimeye.net/2019/01/19/chitungwiza-residents-live-in-fear-of-soldiers-police-night-raids/
Update: Since January 21, Owen has been at his aunt's house in a neighboring town that has been unaffected by the protests and raids. He is recovering, and is grateful to be alive. He wants to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support.
Thank you for partnering with us through prayers, encouragement, and support!
Organizer
Alessandra Soraya
Organizer
San Francisco, CA