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| Community members at Gangakhulu queue for registration |
A partnership between
World Vision Swaziland and Esicojeni Foundation has brought some hope to the
dusty constituencies of Sithobela and Lubulini, South East of Swaziland.
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| Mtimphili River... Despite heavy rains, rivers like this one in Sithobela remain dry |
These constituencies came alive to hope amidst the dry weather conditions and barren land recently, as consignments of maize meal, sugar beans and cooking oil were delivered to 240 of the neediest families.
Gugulethu, a jubilant young mother to 4 year old Sihle could not contain her joy at the food distribution point of Jija under Sithobela, “We have nothing here, as you can see we will not be harvesting anything this season, and we are situated far from civilization, we can die here and no one would know, so we are really thankful for the help World Vision has brought to us.”
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| Mkhulu (Elder) Ndzinisa lifts his bag of meali-meal at the Ndzevane distribution point |
Children converged in numbers at the food distribution point of Mbutfu under the Lubulini constituency. Thirteen (13) year old Kwandza who lives with two younger siblings who rely on a guardian and handouts from the community for food, said: “I am happy to have food for my brothers and I. We only eat at school so sometimes we go to sleep without food, we are very happy.”
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| Women and children were part of the distribution |
The World Vision
Swaziland/Esicojeni partnership was born off a common desire to alleviate hunger
amongst the most vulnerable children and people in Swaziland, particularly during
the on-going drought. Jointly they have contributed E1 500,000 towards the
response which will assist 240 households with a population of 1 081 over a period of 6 months.
Each member of the household receives 12kg Maize Meal, 3.6kg
Sugar Beans and 0.9l Vegetable Oil once a month until April 2016.
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| WVS Ops Team Leader Bhekani addressing members of the community who had come to collect their second ration of food at Gangakhulu, Lubulini while the Bucopho (member of the inner council) looks on. |
“We have keen
interest in assisting the most vulnerable children of Swaziland. By forging
this partnership with World Vision we will be able to provide some support to
the effects of the drought. It has been heart-wrenching to see the desolation
and great need in these communities first hand. We are grateful to be part of
this positive contribution and pray that more companies and organisations will
join this partnership to help more people,” said the Esicojeni Foundation
Chairperson Ambrose Dlamini.
This collaborative seeks to complement
Government’s effort in alleviating hunger, particularly amongst children.
Government has committed E35M towards the response.
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| Smiles amidst the drought around them. Young members of the community pose with WVS' Thabile Maripe |
STORY & PICTURES by Thabile Maripe and World Vision Swaziland
Thabile is the Communications Manager at World Vision Swaziland
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