2015 Swazi Kids Newsletter

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Swazi Kids Newsletter 2015
Queenith is the eldest of four siblings from her
mother and father; also living with them is a
half brother by their father and another
woman. (A very common occurrence). About
two years ago their father and mother divorced.
Reputedly the father is a “drunkard” as is the
local terminology. He left at the time of the
split. The mother remained a scarce few months
more, but also ultimately abandoned the
children. As the story unfolded, I asked
Queenith “Are you safe? Do you need burglar
bars on your windows?” Eyes shamefully to the
ground, she responded, “You must see where I
am living. I need no bars, as I have no door.”
We adjusted our day’s plans so that we could
travel with Queenith to where the five children
have been living to see for ourselves. The
reality was worse than we epected; Queenith
parents her four younger sibling while living in
a rude shack. The building is part of the
paternal homestead. This in itself this is a
problem as evidently this man is trouble, as
even his own mother reported, so the children
fear even for what little they have. The shack
is 15’ by 15’ made of mud and stick, with an old
piece of corrugated iron for the roof. The walls
were made just from native mud, no cement.
These walls only last in the rains for 5-10 years.
This dwelling was in a late stage of decay. The
walls no longer reached the iron roof and indeed
what was a plain slab of a wood door hung only
by a single nail. The children were completely
exposed to the elements, whatever they may
own or indeed their own bodies were open and
available to any predators, human or animal.
The adjacent cook shack was unusable with
walls fallen in and a grass roof so old that a live
flame would surely burn the remaining poles to
the ground. The inside of the “sleeping space”
was a shambles. It was the worst any of us,
Swazi’s included, had ever seen. There was not
a dry eye among the vistors as we surveyed
where five of our brightest students were trying
to survive. Their only reliable food source was
the feeding program that Swazi Kids provided
at Matjana and that served through World Food
Program at the secondary school.
Inside the main sleeping space was an old bed
with absolutely filthy bedding of some
description. None of us would let our dogs sleep
on things in this condition. Three used the small
bed and two were on discarded grain sacks on the
floor. Queenith, as the eldest would put the kids
to bed. If she had a candle, she told us she would
sleep until 2 am and then awaken and study by
candlelight, sleeping again an hour or so before
first light. She was in position 1 in her class
three years ago and she is ashamed to say that
her grades have dropped her to position 5 out of a
class of 40. (I pause here for effect….) Clearly
the girl is brilliant, but can you just imagine….
No you can’t, don’t try. See the photos.
Queenith in the building she and her four siblings use as
a home (above and right). Photos: K. Burgess.
The story does go on, but in the interests of a
newsletter, here is what we are planning. The
Wheeler Foundation has stepped up and offered
to build them a home. A builder has been up, and
now local council must be involved, as we are
going to move the children from the paternal
homestead lands, as rebuilding there may
encourage the return of the father and the
potential for them to be chased from their own
new home is high. We will pay the local chief with
a cow for land of their own. According to law, this
land will belong to the eldest brother, Wandile,
who is an even stronger student than Queenith,
although shockingly stunted in his growth, he is
about the same height as our daughter Thula who
is eight years old. He is 16!
2

Swazi Kids Newsletter 2015
3
Queenith (above) and with the Swazi Kids visitors
(right). Photos: K. Burgess.
We will build them a modest 2-bedroom cinder
block home, fence it and add a small chicken run.
The community, we hope, will come together and
erect for them a cook shack. We are looking for
donors who would like to add to their usual
annual giving, over and above to help out the
children of the Mbobane family. We need only
about $1,500 more than what Wheelers have
offered for the main structure. This would buy the
cow in exchange for the land ($500) the chicken
run ($150) the chickens $10 each (need 6) we also
need another solar light $80 (charges their cell
phones and can be a small source of income) $300
for gutters and large barrels into which to collect
rain water, $50 for a gas stove.
We have already stocked them with new
mattresses and some clean bedding, if it does not
get stolen in the interim.
We also seek a sponsor ($200) for the sister,
Lindelwa who is in Grade 5. We intend to
provide them with a monthly food, travel and
toiletries allowance of about $80/month also, if
anyone feels called to provide a month or more.
What we hope to do is really the least that we
would want for anyone, a safe home so that
Queenith and her siblings can devote their
energies towards school rather than simply to
their survival.

Swazi Kids Newsletter 2015
March 2015 Trip to Build Community Center #3
4
In March of this year, ten Canadians (plus
three Americans and one Nicaraguan)
traveled to Swaziland for another community
center build for the women of Gone Rural,
this one in the Edlangwene region. As
reported in the 2014 newsletter, these
buildings are erected in partnership with
Gone Rural boMake to become economic,
cultural and social centers for communities.
Gone Rural is a women’s cooperative that
coordinates and markets woven goods highend
table ware, pounded metal artifacts and ceramics
from 16 groups of working women. These
products are sold across the world, providing
much needed employment and income in
Swaziland. This was our third community
center, and we have found that these
buildings have a significant role beyond being
a workplace for Gone Rural
(www.goneruralswazi.com).
They are used firstly for the women working
within the Gone Rural
model, they train,
work, transact and
socialize in the spaces.
Additionally, they are
meeting places for
other education offered
by NGO’s in the
country, such as our
WORTH program, HIV
education, any new
law changes, women’s
rights and for
weddings. Indeed the
only event not allowed
in them is funerals.
In the 2015 trip, the
volunteer group was
taught by a local “ecobuilding-design”
group
the local technique and
merits of using native soil and cement to
create a brick that lasts lifetime. Then it
was up the Tea Road again working on the
foundation of community center #3. As we
have emphasized over the past few years,
these structures are proving to be of
incredible value in so many ways for our
families and their communities.
Gone Rural women at the community center
construction site in Edlangwene. Photo: K. Burgess.
Gone Rural women in Edlangwene. Photo: K. Burgess.

Swazi Kids Newsletter 2015
5
Swazi Kids Sponsors Travel Reflections
We asked some of the participants on the 2015 trip to share their thoughts with us on their
experience. Here’s what they said:
The trip to Swaziland is easily the most
worthwhile adventure that I've ever been
a part of. Working side by side the
Swazi women and seeing their standard
of living, but also their spirit was eye
opening and uplifting. We had a really
great group of people and I will always
be grateful that I had this opportunity.
Thanks for including my sister and me
this year and good luck to you in the
future!
Bob Brown
The thoughts that stick with me most:
For a suppressed female society, I've
been amazed at the women's strength.
Emotionally, and physically strong women
who have taken the steps with help, to
rise above poverty for themselves, and for
their children. Swazi kids and Gone Rural
has provided the women a means to help
themselves. Their dignity remains intact as
their work provides them with a self worth
that is indispensable. These are women
like you and me, with hopes and dreams,
willing to work for it.
They just needed a direction, and Swazi
kids and Gone Rural has provided that for
them.
Thanks for the opportunity to join your
group,
Carol Morrissette
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Swazi Kids Newsletter 2015
A Word from Zethu
As reported in the 2014 newsletter, Zethu Shabangu has been attending Brentwood College on
Vancouver Island since September on a Swazi Kids scholarship. She will complete her high
school diploma in 2016. Here is a letter describing her experience in Canada.
6
First Experience at Brentwood
Being at Brentwood is a great privilege to me and even to
my family. There is a lot I learn each and every day,
physically and emotionally. It is hard to be away from
home, friends and family but Brentwood helped me to
withstand and overcome each and every circumstance
that might bring any destruction on my mission. I
remember my first term wasn’t easy at all: coming
from a developing country with limited knowledge was
the only thing that made my first term difficult. The
use of technology on each class was completely knew
and the teaching style too but I never gave up, instead
I told myself that I can do it, because I believe that
once you have a positive attitude you won’t regret.
With the help of the faculty, students, Mr. and Mrs.
Patel, the Johnston family and not forgetting Pam and
her family, I gained strength and eager to do better
than I think. I don’t remember myself crying or being
homesick while in Brentwood, but all I find is joy,
peace and happiness around me. That’s why even today
I’m able to do well in my classes. It is indeed hard to
believe all the transitions that I came across in order
to adapt to Brentwood and even to Canada. I appreciate
the love I get from each and everyone especially the
Carlson’s family who never let me down and are always
there and ready for whatever I need. I’m sure my
results will be a reference as to prove how
comfortable I am to be in Brentwood.
- Zethu
Zethu’s family with
Bruce Carlson in
Marsh 2015 (above),
and Zethu and Thula
on the slopes near
Kelowna this past
winter. (Photos by K.
Burgess, P. Carlson)

Swazi Kids Newsletter 2015
7
PLANS FOR 2016: BRENTWOOD COLLEGE
TO BUILD A SECONDARY SCHOOL
On the strength of Zethu’s success and a
developing relationship with Swazi Kids,
Brentwood College School has decided to take a
group of 16 service oriented senior students to
Swaziland in 2016. Pam has been shown a build
location for a needed secondary school.
This school is to be in a small community, in a dry
and very poor region, adjacent to one of the
country’s largest big game conservation parks.
Mkhaya houses a “secret number” of the most
endangered species of rhino in the world. The
park manager, Mick Reilly, with whom we have
done several projects and, indeed, have become
friends, is having ongoing problems with the
members of this community poaching animals
from his park. Mick was approached for help with
the fundraising for this project. He has asked
Swazi Kids if we could come to his aid. So you
see, this project will have at least a three-fold
impact. The local students and community get a
school. The Brentwood students will raise funds
for a school and then physically do the labour.
AND Mick feels this will go some way towards
gaining the allegiance of the local community with
Pam, local community leaders, the local MP and Mick
Reilly (of Big Game Parks) discussing plans for the new
secondary school construction. Photo: K. Burgess.
the benefit of improved relations with Mkyaha and
the black rhinos.
The animals are worth more to them alive, then
poached. We are excited about this two-year
project. Phase I, which we have already agreed to
fund in ‘15, is a 3 room block composed of 1 office
and 2 school rooms. Phase II will be funded and
constructed by the group for Brentwood in ’16.
Anyone interested in helping us to build a school
(our first!) is welcome to direct their donations
accordingly.
Student Support Program
In 2014, Swazi Kids raised $115,000, allowing
us to support 42 elementary school students,
40 high school students, and 14 post secondary
students. We saw 6 high school graduates in
2014, maintained school food programs and
built one community center.
50
40
30
20
10
0
Elementary
Secondary
Post-Secondary
High School Grads
Pam in her
Swazi office in
March 2015.
Photo: K.
Burgess.

Swazi Kids Newsletter 2015
Student Updates
In the interests of not having this letter become a book, I
will summarize our students this year. In a word, everyone
is AWESOME! I am humbled by the progress of these
young people. Our junior school kids, at Matjana, are
getting fed, uniformed, guided and educated. They all are
graduating into the local high schools. With few exceptions
(and there always are a few) our high school kids are
completing. The education system is tough enough that not
all graduate with grades strong enough for post secondary
education, this is a Swazi-wide reality, but plenty do. And a
few choice ones are stars. We have three students this year,
waiting to hear about government scholarships.
Our post-secondary students, this year number ten. We
had four young adults complete and graduate from their
courses in 2014. I am thrilled to report that 3 of them are
well employed and the 4 th continues his job search. At this
point, Joseph and I support them with professional skills
development including resume writing, interview skills, a
contacts list, help this personal presentation and dress, etc.
I am confident that all will be earning an income within
this year.
Swazi Kids student Qondile. Photo: K. Burgess.
Phindile
She has now completed all 4 years of her nursing plus a diploma in midwifery. She is a full time nurse
at the Good Shepherd Hospital in Siteki. She is renting a lovely apartment and living on her own. She
has begun to invest in a pension and is dating a lovely young man! Who could ask for anything more? I
love this girl for who she is and for how she has set the bar high for our other students to follow. She
has never veered off her course.
8
An Update on Joseph
Joe works for Swazi Kids, is a father of 3, a
devoted husband, a full time teacher and the
pastor at his own church. On TOP of that!!
(pause for affect) during the last 3 years, Joe
has completed his Masters Degree in Public
Health through an American University,
online. Joe, you amaze me! I note he now
seems to have quite a few colds and flus so the
rigours of the past few years are catching up to
him. He is working on switching careers from
teaching to this work with NGO’s in the
country. This would more than double his
annual salary, be very interesting work for
him and vastly broaden his horizons. Thank
you John and Susie McIntyre for supporting
Joe through his education!
At the government half-way house in Manzini. Photo: K. Burgess.

Swazi Kids Newsletter. Editors: A. Martindale & P. Carlson 2015
Reach Out
Our ongoing efforts to improve the lives of children
in Swaziland require significant funds. We thank all
of you who so generously donate to our projects.
Donations to specific projects are welcomed:
- Secondary School Construction Project
- Elementary Student ($200/year)
- High School Student ($500/year)
- School Uniform ($75)
- School Shoes ($35)
- Playground Structure ($5,000)
- Community Centre ($15,000)
Send a cheque/e-transfer (preferable as there are
no transaction costs to the charity) payable to
Swazi Kids or visit www.swazikids.org to donate
online via PayPal.
swazikids@shaw.ca
Swazi Kids photographer and
long time sponsor, Karin
Burgess. (Photo: P. Carlson)
Swazi Kids Society
4415 Swaizland Rd., Kelowna BC V1W 2X2
Canada