Learning about Swazi rural community

I was in a community pre-school with Stephanie and for a moment I could not believe it was a school. Probably, I had never had an opportunity to see how community or government schools are really like and how they function despite the fact that I also come from a developing nation where poverty and lack of resources are major issues.

A classroom, which looked like it is under-construction, where construction materials were scattered without realizing of the harm that can be done to the kids running around. That was the classroom for approximately 48 kids over one teacher. I could see kids enthusiastically arranging their small plastic chairs to start their lesson, most of them pulling their chairs near to Stephanie and me so that they can sit closer to us.

My first day observation in community school was not something I had expected ‘coz to be very honest I was not thinking the teacher would be so good and energetic to handle 30- 40 kids single handedly. The kids pay a small amount of the money as a tuition fees. The tuition fee covers monthly salary for the teacher and rest of the money is used for the construction of classroom or to buy other required materials for school.

All of the kids not paying tuition fee is another problem here; some kids don’t pay their fees due to economical condition or their parents have many other things to invest on rather than paying school fees. And, pre-school in Swaziland is not compulsory. So, lesser the fee collected, lesser the salary for the teacher. I am yet to understand how it all works here. How do teachers get motivated to come and teach here or is it that something is better than nothing?

The statistical data shows the literacy rate in Swaziland is 87.8%, well, it definitely doesn’t mean the number of educated people here; knowing how to just understand letter is not enough if you see adults or older generation here they have yet many things to learn, starting from Early Childhood  Development and Education. 

VUSUMNOTFO 'to restart the economy'

I am in Swaziland for three months study internship program in Vusumnotfo, located at Ngonini in Piggs Peak, Hhohho region.

Vusumnotfo by name itself  ‘to restart the economy’ is a Swazi community based development organization, which serves nearly 50,000 people living in the northern Hhohho region of Swaziland, comprising the eighteen chiefdoms.

Vusumnotfo was started in 1995 in response to the 1991/92 droughts; the Swaziland National Disaster Task Force coordinated the distribution of food and water through various NGOs. The Near East Foundation (NEF), which was overseeing a beekeeping project under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative (MOAC), was assigned the area that eventually became the Vusumnotfo area of operation. The vision of the organization is to envisage a community empowered and willing to improve social and economic conditions at economic level. It aims to build individual and organizational capacity so that communities can effectively identify and pursue their development objectives.

Currently, Vusumnotfo has three programs:

• Homestead Development
• Civil Society and Social Development Program
• Early Childhood Care Development Program

Also, HIV issues are mainstreamed throughout all Vusumnotfo programs, like, Prevention, Mitigation, Support and Research.

It operates at Governance level, Traditional Leader level and Social Partner level.

(Information source: Vusumnotfo, Piggs Peak)

Know more about Vusumnotfo projects and donate through       

http://www.globalgiving.org/donate/7170/vusumnotfo/

Economical 

Library under construction

Vusumnotfo Volunteers

Exposure 'Ngonini, Piggs Peak'

Here in Ngonini I have started my three-month stay in Swaziland and trying to see a different prospective of life, at least different than two years that I have spent in Europe so far. I am based in Ngonini, it’s a small town northern Swaziland which is located to the south of Hhohho district, close to the border with South Africa.

When I arrived in Mbabane, capital city of Swaziland, I stayed with other school mates in a Cathmar cottage which is a guest house owned by an American family and have all the facilities according to African standard or similar to European standard.

Living there for a couple of days I could not experience the touch of community or needs so I decided to leave for Ngoniini, Piggs Peak as early as possible.

Berine, a South African national who has immigrated to Piggs Peak in Swaziland years ago is in a co-founder of Hlanganani primary school here. She drove me to Piggs Peak and I got a chance to know little more about the country, people and the social issues here, specifically in Piggs Peak. The whole conversation made me realize I am at the right place to start my social work journey and I have to make most of it, but some realty beyond my expectation were yet to unfold.

Berine gave me a quick tour to her Pre/Primary school and introduced me to the staff members then she dropped me to the local bus stop where I had to catch a Kombi to Ngonini. I have been hopping from one place to another, one means of transport to another since September 27 despite having carsickness.

A Kombi or a micro van with capacity to accommodate 12 passengers maximum was loaded with more than 15. Approximately 45 minutes drive from the town to Ngonini where I had been asked over and over if I am married or engaged or I am interested to be make new friends. So far I have noticed that being a foreigner here you will be asked many strange questions by the people but at least they have decency not to be clingy. Every person you meet greets you and asks how you are.

Vusumnotfo area located amidst the citrus farm is definitely not a place you would have imagined that you are going to live for three months, but yes if you can have control over your materialistic thoughts you can definitely adapt it. And this is my home for another three months where I live with my supervisor Kathy with her four pets, a Peace Corps volunteer from States, Swazi volunteer and a German volunteer in Vusumnotfo project.

I am still trying to get familiar with name of places and the transport back and forth. Piggs Peak town is pretty crowded. If you are a female, men come asking for your phone number or wanna date him, women ask you if you wanna marry her daughter or son and are willing to give your parents 25 cattle according to Swazi marriage culture. At times, the attention overwhelms you but consistency make you annoyed. Put a ring in your ring finger and say them that you're MARRIED.

Middle of nowhere

Sunset through barb wire

Chicken farming

My wendy house

Banana Farm

Citrus farm

Three months in Africa...Goose Bumps!

Landed at Johannesburg airport on 28th September and missed my shuttle bus to Swaziland. After being stranded in J’burg airport for a couple of hours, I decided to stay overnight in the guest house near the airport and wait for my bus next day.

Cab drivers tried to rip me off, cops made inquiries suspecting me as an illegal immigrant, for few minutes I felt like I am in India, or where the heck I was. Thankfully, I didn’t lose my temper nor did I panic that helped

me make a right decision.

Next day, September 29, I got on the shuttle to Swaziland and I took a long breathe that everything’s gonna be alright now.

Nearly 3.5 hours drive from J’burg to Mbabane city in Swaziland was amazing. The magnificent landscape of South African boarder made me nostalgic. I could see hills, cattle grazing grass in the field and the clouds. I was surprised not to have got car sick, which I usually do suffer, I was just carried away by the scenery and I said to myself, Girl you are in AFRICA!


Spent few days in Mbabane for some paper works and headed off to my final destination in Swaziland, Piggs Peak.

Mbabane, Swaziland