|
By Mark Godfrey
A group of students from Dublin City University
is planning to launch a novel programme which aims
to show solidarity with students and other
citizens in Zimbabwe. The One World Society, which
highlights development and intercultural issues,
is planning to launch a Zimbabwean Peoples’
Support Group in Dublin. “We’ve been planning this
for a while. The idea was borne out of us seeing
that there are some very brave foreign students
among us, students who come from extraordinarily
difficult circumstances” said One World Society
chairperson Lorraine Gallagher.
“While the vast majority of DCU students
trundle along home to wealthy double-glazed bliss
or weekend countryside charms, there are foreign
students in DCU whose countries are the scene of
terrible injustice and hardship. Their families
are in daily danger, their friends deprived a
proper education and more money spent on torturous
prisons than on health care or education.”
Gallagher said her group was also approached by
some Zimbabwean students who were “frustrated and
desperate about the situation back home.
They wanted to raise a voice of protest in some
way. Now we’ll be helping them raise their voices,
we’ll be speaking out with them.”
Zimbabwe has been landed with sanctions since
its long time leader President Robert Mugabe
refused to allow democratic elections and step
down, remaining in power for the past two years
through an increasingly brutal and oppressive
regime. Ordinary Zimbabweans are facing hunger in
this normally fertile land, formerly one of
Africa’s most prosperous nations.
The Mobutu regime has run into serious conflict
with the European Union and particularly Britain,
the former coloniser, after Harare authorities
expelled many white farmers from their land,
handing the properties to Mobutu supporters. In a
plea to DCU students Gallagher said:
“A very brave Zimbabwean student is among us
and needs our help. When you see the signs and
read the call for help, please come along and show
support. It’s a small thing DCU students can do,
to show Zimbabwean people that they’re not alone,
that their plight under a despicable megalomaniac,
a criminally stupid regime, doesn’t go unnoticed.”
She believes that the efforts of the students,
and Irish citizens in general, will not go
unnoticed on the other side of the world:
“Your support is a big comfort to this
suffering people. Take twenty minutes from your
online chatting time, your boozing time, whatever.
Please, be counted,” Gallagher declared.
Send us your feedback:
news@metroeireann.com | 
