Timeline of major dates or events

September 1997: Caitlin writes her first letter to her pen pal in Zimbabwe.

October 1997: Martin received Caitlin's letter.

May 1998: Caitlin sends Martin a Reebok shirt for his bithday.

June 1998: Zimbabwe begins to experience unrest.

May 1999: Caitlin begins sending Martin money. Her twenty dollar bill enabled his family to eat, and also provided the money for Martin to go back to school.

November 1999: The Zimbabwe government begins inspecting letters for contraband, and helps itself to the cash Caitlin added to her letter.

These are some of the main events that occurred in the first third of the book.