Swaziland: Help 50 orphans become future leaders

Our project is all about providing the infrastructure to give 50 children who started their lives without hope all that they need to overcome their impossible circumstances and not only survive but become strong, outstanding citizens of Swaziland. We believe that these children who have been rescued from certain poverty and failure can not only live productive lives, but lead others toward progressive and positive changes in this nation.

In order to accomplish those goals a careful matrix of nurture, education and training has been established. The nurture takes the form of on-site care-takers who stay with the children in homelike settings on the grounds of New Hope Centre. We have sponsors from other countries who take interest in specific children and send them letters and gifts of clothing, toys and items for hygiene. The children improve their communication skills by writing letters back to the sponsors, sharing stories from their lives. Our director, Dr. Elizabeth Hynd, who was born and raised in Swaziland, has insight into what these children have endured which has prepared her to work with these children who struggle with the aftermaths of trauma. Her compassion and wisdom have been invaluable in the forward movement from victimization to success. The children receive personal attention which is individualized to their specific needs. Since New Hope Centre is a live-in community there is continuity of care that allows for monitoring and responsive modification in the approach to care.

The children’s education is conducted on the campus of New Hope Centre by highly qualified teachers who are well versed in the care of orphaned children. They are patient, encouraging and inspiring. Rather than having the children in sharply delineated grades, they progress according to their capacities. Positive reinforcement plays a pivotal role in motivating each child to rise to his or her highest ability. Of course, part of our responsibility is to provide uniforms, books and school supplies for their education. In order for them to learn properly they must have good nutrition, hygiene, clothing and healthy bodies. Your donations have gone a long ways to help in this endeavor and once again, we thank you for your forward-looking benevolence to invest in the future of Swaziland.

Training the children goes beyond formal education. We have added the enrichment of competitive swimming instruction and have used our own students, trained as coaches for the younger students. Several of our kids have been in dance classes and have performed in programs and recitals. Many of the students take voice and instrument lessons and put their skills to use frequently, both on campus and as far away as South Africa and even Israel and America. They are tutored in speaking and travel widely within Swaziland and elsewhere leading out in speaking engagements, mentoring over 1,000 other orphans and sharing their stories with those who need to be aware of what is happening in Swaziland.

There is much more that goes into bringing an abandoned, orphaned child into a place of restoration and leadership, but we wanted to share the information above in order to encourage you that your contributions are making a difference worth the sacrifice. We applaud your generosity and continue to do everything in our ability to make you proud of your choice to support these precious children.