Zimbabwe: A Nation Crumbling
Document life in Zimbabwe while the country's people suffer economic collapse, land seizures, lack of healthcare, food shortages and crumbling public services under the dysfunctional leadership of Robert Mugabe's dictatorship.
The story of Zimbabwe over the last decade is one of the most discouraging examples of a once prosperous country’s government taking increasingly self-destructive steps and pushing it passed the point of ruin.
In the last year alone Zimbabwe has suffered through political violence, a cholera epidemic, land seizures, food shortages, malnutrition and the worst inflation in the world—-all of it compounded by President Robert Mugabe’s unwillingness to step down or acknowledge that he was democratically defeated in March elections, or even acknowledge many of the problems facing the people of his country.
In June 2008 during this period approximately 120 MDC supporters were killed by Mugabe-supported thugs. Thousands were also displaced, beaten, raped, or subjected to torture at Zanu-PF ‘re-education’ camps. This body of work was subsequently shown at the 2008 Angkor Photo Festival and one image of the funeral for a young MDC supporter was selected for Newsweek’s Year in Review.
In December 2008, I returned to Zimbabwe to document the cholera epidemic. Due to poor leadership and an imploding healthcare system, this treatable disease was allowed to mushroom into a catastrophe that to date has already infected 70,000 people and claimed over 3,000 lives.
Despite all the hardships, I have met some incredible individuals in Zimbabwe this year…people who have lost loved ones to violence and cholera, others who have been tortured, persecuted, and some who the government has sought to silence, yet still remain defiant.
More than anything, this project would be about giving them a voice and as Czech writer Milan Kundera mused, “to show that people without fear still exist” in this country.
If awarded this grant I would use the funds to delve deeper into Zimbabwe’s issues with a documentary project that brings to light human rights abuses and documents the struggles of daily life. Likewise, I would also strive to highlight the failings of the country’s leadership and the failings of the international community and regional African powers who have not adequately pressured Mugabe's government to enact change.
276 Comments
I voted. Go Baxter.
I voted for you, goo dluck
Best of luck Will!
Great Idea Will...I'm so proud! :) Mel
I voted for ya... good luck!
You have some great experience Will. You would bring a lot of much needed attention to the people in Zimbabwe. We need more projects like this that draw international attention. (My project is about Africa as well.) You have my vote. Good luck!!
This is so important! Great idea & Best of luck - you have my "PIC" - please check out my dream of furthering peaceful coexistence between Jews and Arabs in the Middle East. Thanks!!
good luck Will!
Good Luck!
Good luck, Will!! I'll send this along to friends!
Great idea! Got my "pic".
ScottG
LS member
Good luck, although this project is worthy of funding from a lot of other sources, please puruse it regardless of this contest.
Great idea. Good luck I hope you win!!
another vote for u :)
PiM*
of course I'll VOTE for you Will! Good luck!
Btw, here's a link to some of my previous work from Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Burma:
http://www.lightstalkers.org/galleries/slideshow/17653
Great idea... You've got my vote!! please check out my dream and vote for me.
Hope it works out Will, this is one project worth doing out of many here, which are not.
nice idea! I pic'd. Please visit my dream and comment/vote. thanks!
good luck Will
Will this should be done...are you looking into other grants?
You're gonna win :) all the best!
I love that you are so knowledgeable, have the experience and passion, that you are focusing on a needed topic and that you plan to do good for others. Best of luck to you!
Love your passion for this.
beautiful concept. thanks for your vote!!!
Good luck. I was going to work with International Bridges to Justice in Zimbabwe this summer as a documentary intern. You should check them out because they have an internship in Zimbabwe for a photographer this summer. Also check out the committee to protect journalist website before you go.
thankx 4 the vote...I def. returned the fav. you have an amazing idea..I LOVE your passion...stay safe along the way!
Go get 'em Baxter! You've got my vote.
will definately you will, my best wishes
G'Luck, Will! Good to know you.
Marnix Peeters
Nice work! You've got my vote :-)
http://ecodelmar.org/ocean
Will
Thanks for voting on my Kashmir project, I voted for yours as well. Love the quote by Kundera and your experience in Zimbabwe. If you get the needed votes I hope the judges take that into account.
This idea is awesome! I pic'd it. My dream is to document what is taking place in the Congo in order to expose the most fatal conflict since WWII. return the vote?
Hi, thanks for voting for my reading project: http://tinyurl.com/canbfv
Here's my vote for another great idea. Your project sounds very worthy. Good luck!
Will, your photos are amazing! I'm putting the word out! Good luck!
Will, incredible idea. I hope you get the grant ... will be well deserved!
I hope you get the grant. It's a great idea, and as someone else wrote already, worth pursuing even if you don't receive funding from this contest. Best of luck.
Love it. We need to expose this to the world. Thanks for your vote. Here's mine =)
Hey Will.. Thanks for your support! And you have mine...back at you! Good luck with this.. It is so important!
This "idea" has the support of the isho foundation, go Baxter ;)
Great idea and the very best of luck in your venture! I am sure with your great experience you will succeed!
Its really an honourable idea, i wish you the best on it and hope you get all the support.
You sound like just the guy to make this project happen. Best of luck to you!
Good Luck Will, voted for you! Ingrid
This will surely happen. You have support from all of us.
Voted for you
Good luck!
Thank you for your courage to expose the suffering and pain of black and white Zimbabweans. I support your effort. Here is my vote.
I voted! Read through your dream and it is GREAT - And sadly I know every bit is true! Keep up the good work please!
Best of luck....
Good luck Waxter!! : )
Im gonna try my best :D Thx for the vote! Great assignment u got here! Best of luck man!
Best of luck! Zimbabwe seems to be barely a blip on the media's radar and this needs to be brought to the fore.
Great idea, best of luck and thanks for you support.
Good luck! well thought out and worthwhile idea! you have my vote
You've got my vote and I wish you every success. It's a wonderful idea; the world needs to see pics like yours every day until something is done for Zimbabwe. Sia Pambili!
You've got my vote, Will. I forwarded your link to a ton of friends. I hope they come throug for you! - Megan
wonderful idea! Good luck, and thanks for the vote!
Thanks for your vote you got my pic too
Hey! Picd
Its a brave quest you're on! You have my Vote! Let me know what you think of mine!
Hey Will, you got my vote!! Good luck :)
I used to work in Zimbabwe so have been quite active about all this stuff and recently I agave an interview on radio about it...voted for your idea.My idea clearly said "orphanges" - plural so not sure where you thought otherwise..
PLease check out mine too folks.
Thanks for the comment and vote! =) I voted for you back. I think your idea is so very important, and would bring some sorely needed attention to Zimbabwe.
HEY kansas boy! good luck in zimbabwe. you've got my vote.
travis
Good luck... I love your project!
Good Luck, MR. Man.
Dude
Wonderful idea, sure hope the world gets a wake up call. Too much, too long, the madness must stop
good luck ! :)
Good luck Will. It's time the world finally did something about a country whose plight has been knowingly ignored for too long.
Important work. Where can I see some of your photos?
You have my vote.
Good luck to you, this is great work
Thank your mate Graham for my vote. Hope all goes well for you in what you believe in. Nick
Love your dream! What courage to face issues. I voted for you-you voted for me. Best of luck.
good morning Will.Of course we will go to several orphanages in Africa..and maybe i will revisit Zimbabwe something I have been angling to do..
I was interviewed for a show about Zim out of London..they called me at midnight..
:) we already have each others votes...so lets get everyone elses.!
You were in Zim there dec 2008-when I was asked for my interview......I was there just before mugabe turned... sometime in 1996 or1997 or 98 or so.Intersting time.
www.buddhawild.com
Largest frying pan would be awesome! You've got the idea :)
Good luck with your idea - it is a noble one, definitely worth my vote
Great idea, very altruistic.
You have my vote, If you get the chance, check out my dream "From Australia With Love" and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE vote for it!
Thanks.
-Adam
Voted and will pass the word. Good luck.
thanks for the vote will! good luck on your zimbabwe project!
serge
Great Idea, u have my Vote!!!
You have my vote;good luck.
Good idea, i voted for you.The people of Zimbabwe needs more journalists with courage, like you, to show the world what is really going on in their broken country.
Super, hope you come right. Maybe the world will finally wake up to what the Zim Government is doing to it's people. Good luck.
Good luck, Will!
Good Luck :-)
Will, I've given you my vote. Although I'm a true blue Englishman, I married a Shona girl when I worked in Zimbabwe, and I hold the country and it's poor suffering people in my heart. What's happened there is a tragedy of epic proportions.
Thanks for your vote and you have mine. All the best. Curt
You have my vote. Good luck and I hope that this is the beginning of the end.
Great idea, people need to see what's going on, good luck!
This a noble project you are planning to take on. The story of Zimbabwe's suffering cant just be told it must be seen that the world can fully understand the evil's of Mugabe. I wish you the best on your journey to chronicle the preventable tragedies being felt by the people of Zimbabwe.
Go Buxter go, my vote is in.success.
I sincerely hope you can do what others before you haven't: get the world to sit up & take notice of what's happening to the people - you must get hold of Carte Blanche here in SA as well...
Good Luck!
All the very best with your venture, Will....Best of luck...Rog
Good luck - not an easy task in the present climate in Zimbabwe - all the best though.
voted, good luck.
Great project! Thanks for your support, here's a vote back! :)
A great idea that can truly help change the lives of these people. Good luck.
Im voting for u man.importantly take care of yourself,goodluck loads
voted. gl :)
Good Luck!
Done... Be well Be Safe
Good Luck. My brother in law is a farmer having endless problems with someone who wants to take over his farm. He has been arrested numerous times and even now has major problems with violent thugs trying to seize his farm. Hope you win to thrust their plight into the limelight.......
You have my vote Will - good luck and I will spread the word to try get you more votes!
Voted! great idea...good luck with your dreams. Do you like mine?
You'll get this mate, so good luck with a very worthwhile assignment. Make sure you check out the churches, because there would many a Zimbabwean dead without them.
Try and find the humour in the country too, because I think you'll find an irrepressible spirit there if you look and win their trust.
Hi Will, I wish and hope that your project be one of the favourites. I voted it.Good luck!.
I voted for you. Good luck.
All the best with this Will. A light needs to be shone on this part of the world.
Hi Will - Just voted for you - Wishing you all the best with this project!!!
Check. :-)
Hi Will
Have voted for you. Good luck - I hope your dreams come true and those of all the Zimbabwean people!
You got my vote. I hope someday the people of Zimbabwe find peace in their land.
Good job & good luck! The world needs to be reminded although most of us know about it.
Dude, I told my co-workers to vote for you. You better appreciate.
Good luck Will.... This is Gods own Country.... And one day soon he is going to take it back..... Be there with your camera boet..... Best wishes and good luck... Kiss a Msasa tree for me.... If there are any left...
Good luck!!
This is very motivating William, great job!
AngelaGM
thanks for the vote and comment.
you've got a great idea here, best wishes to seeing it realized...
Good luck... hope you win!
This seems like an interesting and worthwhile cause. You've got my vote.
May I suggest you get yourself onto StumbleUpon - you will get heaps of hits and votes.
You have got my vote
Highlighting human crisis in Zimbabwe is one and helping it out is another thing
When we left the country in 1980 our gardener said "We voted for the Cock lets hope he doesn't make a cock up! We may have gained our independance but we will certainly lose our freedom" - hopefully this chap is not one of the ones now dying of cholera / AIDS etc.
well done Will,see you getting up there....mine is completely lost as i dont do facebook,twitter,mysepace etc...!
I gave you my vote and I hope it counts as I was born in that now poor, sad, blighted country.
Wow, of course I voted for you. Need a sidekick?!
Zims needs a change and together we can do it...let's go for it!
This is a really well thought out idea. Glad to hear someone focusing on this!
OK Will am going to try push you up the ladder a bit through friends on facebook as well as by emailing friends. Good luck with your contest.
Pamberi Zvangarai......Pasi mugabe
You have my vote. In the late 70's one of the first black commissioned officers in the Rhodesian Army said to me "today Rhodesia, tomorrow Zimbabwe, the day after that it will be Zimbabwe Ruins", he got it right except for the time frame.
good luck....hope you win..........the world needs to see more of the corrupt dictator exposed..............I miss Rhodesia (Zimbabwe)
Good Luck
sounds like a great idea. i voted.
Done, be safe out there. If you need a POC and a place to stay in South Africa if things get too rough let me know.
- Bryan
Thanks for picking this as your project Will ... keep us updated on your FaceBook
Good luck
Good luck,hope you get it.
Good luck Will, we need people like you showing an interest and concern in this country
Looks like an intriguing idea!
good luck will mugabe good to go
Dear Will,
I have sent this to all my friends and family who have the same passion for Zimbabwe. Please take care in your endevours. God Bless you Sands
I support you
i voted for you because what you are ding is noble and it will show the world more of what is happening. Good luck. i really hope you win.
x
i will pass this on to friends nd family of mine.
Good Luck. Hope it comes off because it sounds like a great project. I voted for you.
I hope you get enough votes. The whole world needs to wake up to what is happening there and hopefully you will be able to make people more aware through pictures
I voted but don't see me listed, I hope it works and good luck!
I wish you the best in your venture! Keep us posted please :)
Its a nice vision. Good luck with it! U might have to do the same with our country in the future!
I voted for you, sounds great, wish i could come with you!! Good luck
another one for you. lets hope you get it
Thanks for your vote; I just returned one. And I could never skip Kansas. Sounds like you have a great project here; best of luck.
Kanjani Will , I assume you are a Rhodesian . You have my fullest support in exposing the total disintegration of what was once the civilized bread basket of Africa - is now the barbaric basket case of Africa ,Be carefull and ,Fambai zvakanaka
So voted!! I do hope you get the grant. Zim and her people are amazing people and anyone who exposes in any way what they are going through etc has my vote
I vote for your and wish you the best of luck with your project.
You have my vote! From your Aunt Nancy's friend, Mary
You have my vote. Good luck!!
I voted Will Baxter. His story has inspired me for my new Jihad. A Jihad on the infidel scum - malnutrition. I am heading straight to a McDonalds to commit many atrosity on many burgers. Thanks Will
Good luck mate.... hope you win.
Right behind you on this one Will, forwarding your mail to me to everyone on my group. Best of luck with this
Noreenwelch. Best of luck hope you win. Got my vote
Fairplays Will, Anything That Brings Attention To The Heartbreaking situation in Zim Caused by the'Monster Mugabe' Deserves 100% Support! From Ireland 'The Best Of Luck' & Peace.. Cheers Seamus.
You get my vote. Lets just hope you see descent press freedom. I'll be holding thumbs.
You've got my vote...great idea! Look forward to updates!!
Got my vote! Good Luck!
Great idea! You've got my vote on this one Will...
Thanks for the comments. I just sent you a PIC. Good luck! :)
I gave you a pic...all the best!
Good luck. I hope the title of your idea is not overtaken by events...Zimbabwe : Alive with possibilities - sounds more like it under the circumstances!I still voted for you and wish you all the best.
all the best of luck, i hope the world gets to see what we have been going through for so many years.... thank you for helping the people of zimbabwe
voted 4 u mate...sounds gr8 am afrian myself...so its a good thing for zimbabwe..best of luck
i wish u all the best. thank you for having hope in Zimbabwe...
Thanks for caring Will..Good luck
did my bit. cumbersome process though. when you want to start, i will be delighted to hook you up with a camera crew from harare. if you want photography back up, we can chat. good luck.
You are an amazing person. Im from the Zimpride facebook group but i still voted for yo by choice. You are pushing a great cause here. I was born in zim so this means alot. thankyou
You have our vote, Will, from St. Joe. We couldn't be more proud of your or more supportive. Do take care.
You have my vote buddy. Not many people are prepared to take a stand against this insanity. All the best.
443 is me... Good luck man, my country is amazing, it really is, you will love it there and get the chance to take many beautiful, emotional and inspiring photos. Cheers and God bless
you got my vote go for it I want to go home....
I'd love to go to Zimbabwe. Good luck!
You have my vote and support, Good luck
Good luck.
Great idea. You have my support. Good luck with the project.
I voted. Best of luck.
Best of luck. It was the most beautiful country ever with beautiful people.
Thanks for your comment. We already have over 10,000 pictures uploaded and it won't happen if one doesn't try. You don't eat a cake all at once you eat it a piece at a time. Thanks for voting, I voted for you also.
Give it stick! Zim is home.
With your prior experience and your passion for this topic, I believe that you could produce some amazing images (more so than you already have!) I am anxious to see what comes from you next!! Pic's to you!
Zim used to be a beautiful country - Good luck
i am pleased that there is some one genuinly intrested in the plight of the zimbabwean people eveery one thinks they know the facts but they dont have a clue you should maybe start your research abit before the collapse so you can tell the story from the start not half way thru like most
thanks
Good luck, Will. Your almost there!
Good Luck Baxter! I hope you win this grant, you deserve it!!
No hesitation in voting for you. Best of luck mate.
Do us Zimbos proud!
You do some serious work. Here's my vote for your project,, for the work you do, and for your safety. Be well. x
You have my vote, i was farming in Zim up until last year july, and with all the problems we faced was threatened and had to leave for my own safety, and i miss that country so much, would do anything to help it come right, i wanna go home.. Wish you all the best..
Good luck mate, voted for you already!
You have my vote and support, good luck, keep safe, God Bless, and well done
Hey man.. Good luck... Be careful zim is more dangerous than you may think
Nice work Will! All the best highlighting the artrocities going on in Zim. I hope your work can force the global community to get rid of that TERRORIST Mugabe once and for all!
You have my vote.
I have voted! Hope it all goes well. :)
you go boi...
Wow, yours sounds fascinating. Good luck, I voted for you.
Good Luck, i was just in Zim about 4 weeks ago, my family is still there. I hope all works out for you... If you need any help with anything please let me know, i would love to help you.
I've voted in favour, good luck!
You have my vote. Good luck!!
I wish you the best... go for it..
Voted for you..
This needs to be done - no question about it. Take care and be safe x
Got mine too...Best of luck...B
Good Luck!
Best wishes. There are some really great and inspiring ideas out there - yours included.
Awesome plan!! Therefore you have my vote!! Zimbabwe is a beautiful country and the people amazing!! Good luck and best wishes!!
Voted for you..........take care and good luck.
good luck Will, you are doing a beautiful thing
Yes I vote for you and wish you a safe and profitable time. Tudor Parfitt
Casted my vote - good luck
all the best!!
Voted! Good luck and keep safe.
Voted - good luck!!! x
Great idea. Best of luck.
You've got my vote. Good luck.
Hope my vote for you registered! Do us proud!
Fab idea - an issue such as this needs someone who can document the various topics and captivate the emotion in the photographs accurately. Good luck, Sandra
voted and hope you win. was born and lived in Rhodesia and later zimbabwe for over 30 years. chris dyke
well clearly you really want this
If you win, i want you to get the most moving shots that will actually make people do something about it. It gets quite tiring all this talk and lack of action. Cheers to activists..oh and when you get there...be careful...Godspeed
I voted... hope you win... be safe.
Ive voted Will. Good luck. thank u for stepping out and doing something about it
v. important issue. v. good photographer= excellent project idea.
Very good Will and the best of luck. Zimbabwe needs all the exposure that it can get in order for there to be change. Debbie
Best of luck, good work...
I have voted Will, all the best of luck
i picked your great idea. thanks for the vote.
All of the best,Zim is close to my heart
Go for it! And good luck.
Good luck!!!
Good luck Will, Andy K Campaign for a free Zimbabwe (Facebook group)
I cant seem to click to vote or do i just type a comment in here?
I am sorry but i DON VOTE 100%
I MEANT I DO VOTE 100% i still love zimbabwe :)
Just voted - good luck Will! Sue
I voted - the best of luck to you. Jane,
i vote for you, i hope you can get some good photos and information, my folks have quite a bit of info concerning the lowveld !!!!!!! Phillip
OK, using my method for which I was roundly condemned and chastised and abused, you have passed me. Can you help me stay in the top 20? I am out of options and feeling sick about falling from 4th to now 16th and a dozen votes from being out of this completely. Help me, Will! :)
Good luck Will, Zimbabwe needs all the help it can get!
Good luck Will - bring this problem that is so close to our hearts into the limelight.
Good luck zim is a beautiful place I still have family out there and I would love to move back one day God Bless
Hi Will.Thank u for being the voice that we are not allowed to be.I wish u all the best for this cause.When next in zimbs please let me know. Having a cup of tea with u would be great. Thank You again.Norah.
Best of luck!!!
Good luck >hope all goes well
i voted for yah hope u get it, good luck
this is a great story to be told. good luck.
Hey Will! We are neck and neck!
Good luck it's time the truth was told! Hope you win!
Wishing you all the best of luck.
Thank you for wanting to tell this story! The world needs to hear it!
Hi Will,
Hope my vote came through... you definitely have it!!!
Good Luck, we need more people like you
I voted! GOOD LUCK!
good luck will!
Will, best of luck! You got my vote on this!
Good luck Will, and may you find what you looking for.
Good luck Will, this is a very sore point in our family, you have my vote!!!
Good luck to you.
Go Will !!! Fu.ck Mugabe !!!
Good luck Will! May our Heavenly Father's hand of protection embrace you through your journey and may your passion for this cause bring comfort to those who are affected by the heartbreak of Zimbabwe! Take care and be safe wherever you might be! You definitely have my vote!!!
Make it happen, dude.
There are a lot of seriously daft ideas on here, Baxter. Hopefully the judges are not quite so simple-minded. Best of luck.
I am an ex Zimbabwean, so I fully support you all the way. My brother still lives there so I send huge blessings your way for this project. Good Luck
My vote goes to you Will....
vote for Will.
good luck fellow traveller
Yes. Take care.
I like your idea, check out mine and vote for me if you like it. Its about poverty and society in 3rd world countries and how they are controlled, devastated by their governments and western industrialized nations.
Excellent idea. Many of us hated leaving but now, it's all about those with nowhere else to go. Good luck and take care
FatherJohn
I voted for you. Good luck.