Mbabane – World Vision Eswatini’s Board of Directors, alongside the organisation’s Regional Director Matthew Pickard, recently visited the Lobamba Lomdzala Area Programme (AP) in the Lobamba Lomdzala and Kwaluseni Tinkhundla. The visit was part of the board’s ongoing monitoring and oversight of the organisation’s projects.
The team toured several initiatives under the AP, including the site for the new Lobamba Lomdzala AP offices. The land, donated by His Majesty King Mswati III, is being prepared for the construction of office buildings and a warehouse. Board members also had the opportunity to meet with local children who shared their hopes, challenges, and expectations for the future.
The children raised several key issues, including the need for mental and emotional health support to help them cope with trauma, such as bullying and gangsterism. They expressed a desire for more opportunities to engage in youth clubs, which could offer mentorship to steer them away from teenage pregnancy and other negative influences. A common request was the creation of sports facilities and supervised spaces where they could spend their free time productively.
Nutrition was also a major concern. The children spoke about the difficulties they face in concentrating at school due to hunger, and requested support in growing crops at their schools to supplement meal programmes. Many depend on the one meal provided by their schools for daily sustenance.
Additionally, the children voiced an interest in learning practical skills that would enable them to secure jobs and improve their futures.
The Board members were moved by the day’s visit, noting that the impact of World Vision’s work on the ground far exceeded what is often conveyed through reports. They discussed ways the organisation can better serve the community and support sustainable transformation, particularly in achieving improved outcomes for children.
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