Have you already or were due to join us on a schools expedition in the Kingdom of Eswatini to work on our community projects in KaNdinda, Phosela, Manzimnyama, Nqudvula or Nsuka? Would you be in a position to support these communities who are at an increased risk due to the Coronavirus, Covid19 Pandemic.
We are in touch with each of our Community Project Coordinators (Thembi, Thandazile, Lungile, Peter and Katherine) and have been sharing information through WhatsApp about the virus, sanitization and social distancing. This included an excellent information video in siSwati which the coordinators were able to share in the community. However, they need us to help them further.
We were expecting over 40 visiting international school groups plus many volunteers and other tourists from March to August but due to international travel restrictions and concerns about public health our business and foundation have been heavily affected. In Eswatini, borders are closed and we have been on lockdown for many weeks, a huge impact on tourism and other jobs. With unemployment in Eswatini at 23% before the Pandemic, things are getting worse and, as many members of these communities lack access to regular meals and food supplies due to a lack of income, they are living hand to mouth. The situation is becoming desperate as rural families increasingly have limited access to food.
We want to raise funds for those most at risk in the NCP communities we usually support, and use it to:
* Work with the NCP committee to identify the children and families most at risk in their communities
* Secure and collect supplies – essential food (rice, beans, oil, sugar, onions, vegetables, soap and hand sanitizer)
* Employ one of our team to deliver supplies to the communities, adhering to safety protocols
* Distribute Covid19 health information signs to the community leaders
Update end of June 2020
We delivered a food donation from the $730 raised so far to the 5 NCPs supported by our schools expeditions on 20th June 2020. We were greeted by each of our Community Project Coordinators with just a few members of the Community Committee. Every community complied with physical distancing protocols and each member was wearing a face mask. There was none of the normal hugs on arrival but the waving of two hands in the air was considered the new normal. The food donation included beans, rice, sorghum (porridge), oil, sugar, salt, pap (maize meal), soup plus 70% alcohol content hand sanitizer and a spray bottle. Everyone was delighted to be able to cook from the NCPs and provide food to the children and the most vulnerable in their communities. See our Facebook page for photos.
Update end of July 2020
With a slightly smaller donation amount we were still able to secure more food for the 5 communities. This time we took the staples but replaced tomatoes with beetroot and hand sanitizer with soap. The coordinators were delighted. During our trip all 5 NCPs were able to report that they had been cooking for the children but that there were so many of them.
* At Phosela the pots were on but it was too early for lunch. Tandazile has the children organised into groups to improve social distancing).
* At Nsuka the children were waiting, sitting in a circle whilst two big pots of pap and beans bubbled away. The older children (still primary age) were giving instructions to the little ones "1 metre, Covid19!" It was great to see the children playing a part in trying to ensure everyone stays safe and well.
* Nqudvula were in the middle of serving lunch with lots of empty tummies to feed. The ladies certainly had their hands full. We chatted about the importance of distancing which as we all know, with so many little ones is no easy task.
*KaNdinda and Manzinyama the children had been fed and had returned home. The NCPs aren't permitted to open for schooling at the moment but can open for feeding program, such as these.
With so many more children to feed at the NCPs, and due to school closures, it was great to hear that 4 of the 5 have received a donation of PAP and beans from the World Program. The donation we dropped off included soup powder, vegetables, salt, oil, rice and mabele (porridge) was much welcomed by the coordinators. We are planning to focus on these extras and maybe some citrus fruit for our next drop, if funds permit.
Update early September 2020
We were able to make a smaller delivery to the NCPs with some donations. 4 of the NCPs requested a similar mix of pap, rice, mabele, oil, salt, soup and veggies as previously whilst Phosela asked for some seedlings to help them with ongoing feeding of the children. All NCPs were offered this option but difficulties with water supply in Nsuka, Nqudvula and Manzinyama, and KaNdinda needing assistance with maintaining a vegetable garden meant this could not be taken up at this point.
If you spent or are due to spend time with one of these communities and would like to help us to make another donation and continue to help, please donate. We are hoping to head closer to our target.
