Although the government
brutally cleared many slum area's in 2005, there are still large numbers of peole living in these places now. Although there conditions are slightly better than that of the squatters, they are certainly not good. As you can see in this pic, they have no electricity and cook their meals outside. They live in small, rundown dwellings, often with large, multi-generational families sharing just 1 or 2 rooms. and the slum neghbourhoods are so cramped that several families often share the one small bulding. (The size of which would be smaller than the average Aussie bathroom). In most cases, the whole family sleeps together on one bed, without any blankets, and the children go to school every day cold and hungry. AIDS and other illnesses are common, and many children are left orphaned.

Lots of poor families support themslves by selling things. For instance, we met many people who sell fruit and veggies at small, roadside stalls. Unfotunately, running such stalls is illegal, (unless you are able to pay large sums of money for a lisence). The people running them often get arrested by police, have their goods confiscated, and are fined. Getting proper jobs is nearly impossible for most people. (Unemployment in Zimbabwe is at more than 80%), so they have no choice.