An anguished cry from afar

My own tally: probably fewer than five.

This year alone The Times has produced dozens of stories from the African country wracked by political violence and economic chaos. The most recent quotes government sources as saying an intensified crackdown on opposition leaders is imminent, with longtime President Robert Mugabe refusing to buckle to international pressure that he relinquish his grip on power. Some of our stories are not bylined because of fear of reprisal against the reporter.

Still, with life in America somewhat less than peachy these days, who's got time to worry about Zimbabwe? Gas prices? Stock market? Come on, we've got it rough here. And if we did bother to worry about Zimbabwe, what could we do about it?

If that in any way captures the typical American frame of mind, it's exactly what Sylvia Valle of Lake Forest doesn't want to hear. Especially with an e-mail that begins, "I'm coming to you because I don't know where else to go."

The plight she describes was relayed to her by a friend who lives in South Africa. A Zimbabwean sent an e-mail to Valle's friend, who then forwarded it to Valle. "I'm hoping you can shine a light on this as it doesn't seem to be 'real' for many," Valle says of the situation in Zimbabwe.

I've since learned the letter has been widely circulated in recent months, intended as a universal pitch for help. It begins with this characterization of the government: "We are all terrified at what they are going to destroy next. I mean, they are actually ploughing down brick and mortar houses and one white family with twin boys of 10 had no chance of salvaging anything when 100 riot police came in with AK-47s and bulldozers and demolished their beautiful house."

The letter continues:

"If you don't want me to tell you these things -- how bad it is -- then it means you have not dealt with your own fear, but it does not help me to think you are turning your back on our situation. We need you, please, to get the news out that we are all in a fearfully dangerous situation. Too many people turn their backs and say, 'Oh, well, that's what happens in Africa.'

"This government has gone mad and you need to help us publicize our plight -- or how can we be rescued? The petrol queues are a reality, the pall of smoke all around our city is a reality, the thousands of homeless people sleeping outside in 0 degrees Centigrade with no food, water, shelter and bedding are a reality.