Zimbabwe is one of the poorest countries in the world. Just to have an idea: if we aggregate all economic values produced within the country in 2010 and divide it by the number of population, we get just USD 500. This unit is usually called Gross Domestic Product per capita. Just to compare - the United Kingdom makes in the same year 70 times higher value and the United States almost one hundred times more.

More than two thirds of Zimbabwean population live under the poverty line, which is an income, that covers absolutely most fundmanetal needs of a human being. The World Bank indicates, that Zimbabwe belongs to the part of the world, where this line is USD 1,25. Well – honestly: what do you spend 1,25 USD per day? Here people need this amount to survive.

Due to the fact, that there are a lots of tourists arriving to Zimbabwe, local people try to make money from this opportunity. They sell them whatever they can to make money for basic living. Unfortunately – sometime for any cost.

It is a rainy season. The river of Zambezi makes a frontier between Zimbabwe and Zambia and due to heavy rains is full of water. Huge water falls scream down into 140 metres deep basaltic canyon. The Victoria Falls is a place, which attracts many foreigners and local people always want to grab a chance. Frantisek and Roman stopped in one nearby town on their way up to north. They accomodated in a hostel. After the lunch a local guy approached them and offered a joint of marihuana. When they refused, he was speechless. What a good price he offered!

After that they walked down the street to look around. They really had to refuse all souvenir sellers and sometimes it was necessary to do it with a strong „No!“ And than top scene took place. A young man, may be 18 years old, came to Frantisek, and said: "I have got a great wooden-carved animals. Just buy some. Good price. And they are made of precious wood.“

No response.

„Okay,my friend“ a young guy did not want to be so easily dismissed. „Perhaps you would love to go dance tonight. I will show you a great club here. Cheap cannabis. Good music and very cool chicks! No regret!“  

Without response. Not even an eye contact.

„Okay, than. How about something to really enjoy privately, my friend. I have got a cool chick right here. You will be very satisfied."

Frantisek responded negatively, still without words.

 „My friend, 10 dollars per hour. Great cost. No regret, my friend.“

„No.“

„So what about this deal, my friend. 100 dollars and she is yours for all night.“

That was the last drop of Frantisek cup of patiance. He gazed at him and said: „I will tell you something. You know, what is my job?

Zimbabwean teenager shook his head, speechless, that a foregner really wants to talk to him directly.

„I deal with HIV/AIDS prevention. Do you know, how many people are infected in your country?“ Frantisek showed around with his hand. „How many people older fifteen years are HIV positive?“

The young man swallowed and breathed: „Nop.“

„Every fourth. Do you get my point?“ The youngster perhaps did. He went bug-eyed and than he turned and went away. Without a word.

If you read statistics in the newspaper or hear about it in television, you can somehow feel it, but still it passes by with almost no impact. But if you experience it personally and face the reality, emotions overcome you. Terrible poverty, that spread due to economic collapse, force local people to make money in any possible way. Even that way, that can finally lead to destruction and even death.

Frantisek and Romand (north Zimbabwe) and Jirka (Plzen)