Lilian Dube

Lilian is the first child in a family of four children, 2 girls, 2 boys. Her father is a plumber by trade and has owned a plumbing supply store. In 2006 the economy stared a downward spiral and in 2008 Zimbabwe suffered a complete economic collapse. Their money no longer had any value. They had bills printed in the trillions of dollars and it took several of them to buy a loaf of bread. For almost 2 years there was no food available to buy in Zimbabwe. People who were able, had to go to neighboring countries to buy food. The people say, "It was a very hard time, auh very hard!"  They now use the US dollar and that has stabilized the economy.

During that time Lilian's father lost his business and is still trying to reestablish himself. He and his wife have been working for a dry cleaner but make very little money. They have been saving every penny available so they could re-open a plumbing business. Just this month they were able to rent a corner space in another store down town and are trying to sell plumbing supplies and his labor as a plumber.

In this picture Lilian is leaning on the family bath basin. They fill this bucket with water stand in front of their toilet and wash their bodies. They don't seem to mind the cold water, but would prefer warm.

Here Lilian is standing with her brothers and sister in front of their home 

None of the Dube children are able to go to school because of the families financial crisis. So during the day, Lilian will wash the family's clothes and help entertain her young siblings. All the children are hoping for the day that they can return to school.

This is the home where they now live. The bathroom is the small section to the far right, with the wall in front of it.

 This area at the end of their home is were they wash their clothes and their dishes.

Dish washing is one of Lilian's chores

 Of course this is the bathroom. They feel lucky to have a toilet many people just have a hole in the floor.

These two stoves are where their meals are prepared. If they run out of parafen, the cooking fuel, they then build a fire. 

 This room serves as the family living room, cooking area( in the corner not pictured) and the bedroom for the children.

 Notice the shelf that runs along the wall where they are able to put their clothes. There are no closets or furniture to house clothes.

 This small area is between the bathroom and the two rooms that make up their house. They use it to store their things that would be in the way at bed time.

 This is a picture of their parents room.

 During the day the kids play games and have fun together while they wait for their parents to return from work.

 This is a picture of the main house inside the compound where they live. Most every home has a wall or a high fence around it for security reasons. The main house is being renivated so workmen are usually there during the day. Because the main house is empty right now the owner likes having the Dubes living in his compound to help keep and eye on his property.