Ezulwini – World Vision Eswatini and the U.S. Embassy in Eswatini met on Wednesday afternoon to explore collaborative approaches for community development and private sector engagement. The courtesy call was led by World Vision National Director Amos Zaindi to the incoming Charge d’Affaires Marc A. Weinstock at the Embassy offices in Ezulwini.
The meeting reviewed ongoing partnerships, including the PEPFAR/USAID-funded HIV Prevention and Mental Health initiatives supporting vulnerable adolescent girls and young women. The Embassy has also contributed to World Vision’s Refugee Project, funded by the UNHCR and implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Zaindi shared that World Vision had recently finalised its five-year strategy, which will focus on Government-priority areas such as access to water, youth skills development, and inclusive financing for community initiatives. “Our model is transforming communities by working alongside the Government and partners through complementary resourcing,” Zaindi told Diplomat Weinstock, who attended with Political Economic Officer Allen C. Hodges. Operations Director Sakhile Dlamini was also present.
Discussions included the decongestion of Malindza Refugee Reception Centre, with some refugees being relocated to Ndzevane, where the Government has allocated over 100 hectares for livelihoods development. Both parties discussed applying a business model to ensure the self-sustainability of Ndzevane, benefiting refugees and local communities alike.
Leave a comment