Beyond Survival: A Hope for Africa

Never before has there been such a great need for the lives of children and families in Swaziland, Africa. HIV and AIDS are ravaging an entire generation leaving families devastated and children alone. Approximately 46% of Swaziland’s total population is infected with HIV (population is 1.2 million that is 552,000 people). Because of HIV/Aids there are over 150,000 orphans and vulnerable children living in Swaziland. Most people are dying at home. Children are attempting to take care of their parents.

An entire generation is disappearing in the next 5-7 years. The result is a generation of orphans. But God is moving in a remnant of His people and Vanguard has an opportunity partner with them.

In Swaziland, orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) can usually find housing on a rural homestead of a distant family member. Homesteads are the way traditional Swazis used to live, and to this day many rural Swazis still live on or have rights to a homestead. Homesteads are usually brick and mud structures or huts or concrete block buildings. A homestead can have as many as 5 or 6 units on the property, and it is not uncommon for 15-20 children to be living on a homestead.

Care Points

Care Points serve as gathering places for the OVCs in a given community. Each Care Point varies in what it offers for the children, but basic reason for existence is food. As long as there is food to be given out the children will gather. Some of the Care Points offer informal education. Some of the Care Points attempt agricultural projects, but these are complicated by the fact that the majority of the locations don’t have a water source nearby. A few of the Care Points have very motivated “caregivers” who do their best to also provide social interaction for the children in the form of games and songs. The number of children serviced by each Care Point varies between 30-125.

If you are interested in learning more about Swaziland or would like to be added to a list of people interested in being a part of this new ministry contact either rickclapp@vanguardchurch.org or sarah_jackson@vanguardchurch.org.