Swaziland
| About our trip | Our Schedule | Our Blog |
Visit to The Kingdom of Swaziland
A group of us from Halifax Elim Church are due to fly to Swaziland on the 14th July 2010. On this page you will be able to keep updated with our activities and also follow our blogs while we are on the mission - subject to internet access.
The team will be flying into Manzini airport near Mbabane the capital of Swaziland. We will then
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travel to Hawane Farm where we will do most of our work.
You can see our schedule by clicking here
We will also update this page with photo's and stories upon out return.
About Swaziland
Surrounded by the Republic of South Africa and Mozambique, the Kingdom of Swaziland is a beautiful mountainous country of 1.15 million residents. It is the last remaining absolute monarchy in Africa and known as the most peaceful country on the continent. Swazilands current leadership being found in his Majesty, King Mswati III.
To find out more please view Swaziland on Wikipedia
Problems faced by Swaziland
- Prolonged economic decline for the past ten years
- Two-thirds of Swazis live on less than USD $1 a day
- Nearly 25% of the population requires food aid
- Unemployment has risen to a staggering 40%
- At 43%, Swaziland's HIV/AIDS rate is the highest in the world
- HIV/AIDS has left a burgeoning orphan population of over 60,000 children, which is predicted to grow to 100,000 by 2010
If left unchecked, the current economic social situation will lead to untold misery and suffering for children, families and communities. The next five to ten years are critical as Swaziland attempts to address the escalating challenges ahead.
Hawane Farm & Children's Homes
Hawane Farm was opened in 2004 by Chief Sipho Shongwe. The land was purchased by Teen Challenge U.K. for the purpose of hosting interim foster homes for children referred by the Ministry of Health, Social welfare.
The farm now hosts:
- at least 10 homes, capable of hosting 8 children each
- a medical centre
- church
- a pre-school
- a crafts shop
- a canteen
- a small farm
- a catfish and rabbit project
- a cultural village
The Hawane farm is a gift from God. It is a relatively flat piece of land, easy to build on, with a very reliable water source (the Mbuluzi River) in a rural setting. It is close enough to the capital for easy access to emergency facilities.
The farm also provides employment for no less than a dozen nationals.
To find out more please visit the Hawane Farm website, you can also find out about other Lighthouse projects.