Eds: RESENDING to CORRECT 15th graf from $50 million to $20 million.
Zimbabwe's economy adds to retirees' misery
Apr. 8, 2008
NOTE: Photographs, audio, video, a logo and related stories are available at http://umns.umc.org.
By Kathy L. Gilbert*
HARARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS)-Selling little yellow balls of "Cockroach Kill" used to help the Rev. Kenneth Shamu put food on the table.
Now even income from that small business is gone because the soaring inflation rate in Zimbabwe has made it impossible to buy the ingredients - sugar, eggs and Borax.
Creative solutions have helped the Shamus survive since his retirement as a United Methodist pastor in 1995. Shamu stopped receiving any pension funds from the church in 2004. Even before they stopped, he was not receiving enough to live on, he said.
Zimbabwe's political and economic situation only adds to the misery.
"The economy changes every two weeks," said the Rev. Lovemore Nyanungo, who retired from active ministry after serving the church for 39 years.
The government of Zimbabwe sets the current inflation rate around 7,000 percent, but independent estimates put it at 13,000 percent or higher.
A liter of petrol costs Zim$12 million (US$3 on the parallel market), up from Zim$6 million (US$1.60) late last year. It costs bus commuters Zim$3 million (just under a dollar) for an average trip - three times more than they paid just before last Christmas.
It is reported that four out of five of the country's 12 million people live below the poverty line and a quarter have fled, mainly to neighboring countries.
"I really appreciate the help of the local church," Nyanungo said. But even with that help, he still has to carefully consider how much he and his wife spend and what activities they do. At times, he also must rely on help from his five children or friends.
"I knew when I was an active pastor I would not get much when I retired," he said. "I think retired pastors should continue to get paid the same as active pastors or at least a percentage that would be a livable wage."
The United Methodist Church's General Conference, its largest legislative body, has launched an effort called the Central Conference Pension Initiative to ensure retirees and surviving spouses retire with dignity and hope.
Pension is 'peanuts'
Though The United Methodist Church's greatest growth is in Africa, Eastern Europe and the Philippines, pension funds are minimal or nonexistent for pastors in those areas. Many of them have faithfully served for 20, 30, 40 or more years.
When retired Zimbabwe Bishop Abel T. Muzorewa thinks about the pension funds for retired pastors, he said he is "filled with guilt."
"The pastors have nothing. It is peanuts; it is meaningless. It shouldn't even be called a pension," he said. "Now that I am retired, I can't do much about it but talk, talk, talk so others can change the situation."
A news team from United Methodist Communications and members of the denomination's Board of Pension and Health Benefits visited Zimbabwe in 2005 to gain an understanding of the needs and the context for pensions in that African country.
The Central Conference Pension Initiative is being carried out by five church agencies: the Board of Pension and Health Benefits, the General Council on Finance and Administration, the Board of Global Ministries, the United Methodist Publishing House and United Methodist Communications. The pension board projects that a $20 million endowment is needed to sustain the central conference pension benefit fund.
"It would be a blessed venture, and I wish all those who have been enabled by God to have some money in their pockets would pour money into the pension fund for all of Africa," Muzorewa said.
In Zimbabwe, retired pastors and surviving spouses don't receive regular pension support from the church. This year, an emergency grant of $68 was provided through the initiative and the Board of Global Ministries. Zimbabwe has 36 retirees and 34 surviving spouses.
Shamu is glad he took Muzorewa's advice years ago, when the bishop told him to plan for the future. "He mentioned buying a house, and now that is what I tell the pastors I meet," the retired pastor said. "If I didn't have a house, I would be suffering more than I am today."
Hard adjustments
The Rev. Willis Makunkie had a hard time adjusting to retirement after being a United Methodist pastor for 34 years.
"I had to come up with some ideas of things to do," he said. During his years as a pastor, he served nine circuits and a six-year term as a district superintendent. He still performs some church duties when asked, such as weddings, funerals and baptisms.
Another hard adjustment for him and two of his neighbors, who are surviving spouses of retired pastors, is the lack of any money from the church in their retirement years.
"Sometimes I live on charity, money from family or friends," he explains. He also tries to raise vegetables to eat, but the lack of water in his area of Zimbabwe makes that difficult.
"If the church had something to help, I would appreciate it," he said. "But if they have nothing, what can I do?"
Rosemary Chidzikwe, widow of a retired pastor, said she is not receiving any pension from the church and hasn't for a long time. Her husband, the Rev. Josiah Chidzikwe died in 1990. He was able to set aside a little money and buy the house she lives in, she said. Some of their income came from a maize-grinding mill they once operated for the community.
"It is difficult to survive," said Chidzikwe, who is not in good health. "But I think the church has done their part." She gets help from a sister who lives with her.
Martha Matongo, also a widow, said her husband died in 1970, but she doesn't remember how many years he served before retirement.
"It is difficult, but I depend on God because he is one who gave us this service," said Matongo who is also in poor health. "I am always ill, and I have to walk with this stick," she said, waving it in the air.
She sometimes gets help from growing and selling yams, and her children help when they can. She lives with her grandchildren who help her find water and other things she needs.
"God is providing," she said.
Other retirees share that quiet faith. Shamu said that even though retired pastors in Zimbabwe seem to be forgotten, he still has a deep love for the church.
"I was born in The United Methodist Church, and I have never joined any other church. It means a lot to me. I am a Methodist until the end of my life."
More information on how to get involved is available by going to www.ccpi-umc.org, writing to <mailto:ccpi@gbophb.org> ccpi@gbophb.org or calling (847) 866-4230.
*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.
News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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United Methodist News Service Photos and stories also available at: http://umns.umc.org
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