“I Don’t Know How I Can Go Back”: American in Zimbabwe Shares Honest Look at Life in Harare

• Sharon Washegear, an American living in Harare, shared a candid vlog about her daily life in Zimbabwe after more than a year in the country
• She revealed that almost every household runs on solar panels due to constant power cuts, and electricity is bought through prepaid tokens at shops
• Her comments about having household staff and growing her own avocados sparked a wave of responses from Zimbabweans and former residents

An American woman living in Zimbabwe has given the internet a refreshingly honest look at what settling into life in Harare actually feels like.

Sharon Washegear posted a selfie-style vlog on 16 April 2026, walking viewers through her property and daily routines. The clip, filmed both outside in the garden and inside her home, has been drawing attention for its candid take on Zimbabwean life from a foreigner's point of view.

Solar panels and prepaid power

One of the first things Sharon highlighted was how Zimbabwe handles electricity. Power cuts are so frequent, she said, that solar panels are essentially standard equipment for most households. Her property has its own solar setup, along with a solar-powered hot water heater.

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Buying electricity works nothing like it does back in the United States. Instead of a monthly bill, residents buy prepaid tokens at stores like Spar or Pick n Pay, then punch a number into a meter at home. She explained.

"You can get $10 (R164.27), you can get $50 (R821.33), you can get $200 (R3,285.31), it's just like what you can afford."

Avocado trees and a gardener named after her

Sharon also showed off two avocado trees growing on her property, one of which she had recently harvested. Her gardener had also planted what she described as watermelons, though commenters were quick to point out those were actually pumpkins or squash.

She also mentioned a leafy green vegetable called rape or muriwo, which she described as Zimbabwe's biggest staple vegetable.

What seemed to resonate most with viewers was her comment about household staff. In Zimbabwe, she said, even middle-class families typically employ a maid and a gardener, both of whom live on the property and work Monday through Friday. Sharon said she and her fiancé handle their own cooking, but having laundry, dishes, and cleaning taken care of every day had completely changed how she sees daily life.

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"I don't know how I can go back to America after being spoiled like this, honestly," she said.

View the Facebook video below:

Zimbabweans react to Sharon's vlog

The comments section on her page filled up with Zimbabweans and former residents eager to share their own thoughts:

Simba Raynold Mujuru wrote:

"You forgot to mention... Zimbabwe is peaceful, no guns in the street, and you leave your passport and travelling documents at home. Foreigners walk freely. ❤ ZIMBABWE ❤"

Prichard Guangzhou said:

"There is no so-called Dudula in Zimbabwe... The sky is the limit, you don't have to carry your passport or visa when travelling on streets."

Lighton BaMumu Mufudzi laughed:

"Those are pumpkins not watermelons lol"

Khanyi Savanna Creek joked:

"In Kariba, we rarely have power cuts... because home ground privilege 😜"

More Briefly News stories on Zimbabwe

• Zimbabwe’s first skatepark at Samkele Park in Victoria Falls has gone viral, delighting viewers while raising questions about safety for young skaters online.
• A UK expat living in Zimbabwe responded to backlash over her gym hygiene video, saying race played no part, while Zimbabweans debated her comments.
• A TikTok video of Harare’s blooming jacarandas and Central Gardens challenges negative portrayals and divides many viewers over the changing capital.

Source: Briefly News