July Update

Photo: Sunset in Zimbabwe on Mindful Safari

Dear Subscribers,

Just a quick update on a couple of things.

Fundraising

I’m so pleased to let you know that more of you have made direct donations towards water tanks for Greenline Africa. As a result, instead of raising funds for five tanks, we have now sponsored almost six.

Together, our little community has dramatically improved the daily lives of somewhere between thirty and sixty families.

Koala and I are visiting Charlie, Veronica and the Greenline team later this month. I will keep you posted on how things are progressing on the ground. Suffice it to say, everyone there is thrilled. Charlie messaged that she “jumped for joy” when she heard that five tanks would be made available to the local community. More soon.

Photo: the new tanks will make a dramatic difference on households in the local community

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Stepping back for a moment, our fundraising total for the first six months of the year now stands at US$58,110.

Half of that came from subscription income that I donate. The other half came directly from many of you via The Michie Foundation/GDG portal.

If you’re new to our group, Global Development Group (GDG) is an Australian-based organisation that works with the tax authorities in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and New Zealand, enabling donations from residents of those countries to be tax deductible.

When Koala and I established The Michie Foundation, we never imagined that our subscribers would match our own giving dollar for dollar. Yet that’s exactly what you continue to do.

This newsletter has always been about compassion in action. Knowing that, together, we’re helping some of the most vulnerable people and animals in Zimbabwe brings us a sense of purpose and quiet happiness that’s difficult to put into words. Every paid subscription contributes to that work, and every direct donation extends it further. Seeing the difference together, during our annual visits to these projects, is one of the greatest privileges of our lives.

Thank you for making it possible.

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Mindful Safari

This weekend we fly to Zimbabwe to prepare for this year’s Mindful Safari, which begins later this month.

Beforehand, we’ll be exploring the Matobo Hills as a possible venue for an additional Mindful Safari in the future. Famous for its extraordinary granite landscapes, balancing rocks and ancient rock art, the Matobo Hills possesses a remarkable energetic presence that many visitors feel the moment they arrive. What better place to meditate at dawn and dusk than atop a granite kopje, looking out across the vast African veld?

I’ll let you know what we discover during our recce.

After that, we’ll be welcoming this year’s guests to another wonderful Mindful Safari at Masuwe Lodge, Victoria Falls—that other abundant source of prana, extraordinary wildlife and warm African hospitality.

I can’t wait!

While we’re away, please be patient with me if I’m not able to respond to all your comments as I usually do when I’m at home. I’ll catch up with you again as soon as I can.

Photo: evenings often end with stories around the fire on Mindful Safari