Yet, the beauty of the country doesn’t begin to compare to the beautiful people there.
Bright eyes and big smiles.
Hugs and handshakes.
It’s a beautiful country full of beautiful people, but it is dying.
Rapidly.
There are many problems in Swaziland, the first being poverty. With poverty comes a lack of education. With ignorance comes violence. Yet none of these are the biggest problem facing Swazi today. The biggest problem is a deadly disease.
AIDS has taken over Swaziland, making it the most AIDS infected country in the world with over 44.2% that are HIV+. The population fell from 1.1 million 2 years ago than less than a million this year – which means the people are dying faster than they’re being born.
The statistics are heartbreaking.
- Life expectancy is 28.7 years
- 44.2% are HIV+
- Between the ages of 15 and 25 girls have an infection rate of 56%
- There are presently over 100,000 orphans in the less than 1 million population
- 58% of children don’t go to school because they can’t afford school fees/uniforms
- 70% of children will be HIV+ by the time they are 15 years old
- Only 1 in 10 children will make it to the age of 30
That is, unless something drastic happens.
Well, guess what… We want to be that something drastic!
We believe that, as Christians, we are called to care for the ‘least of these’. (Matt 25:40) We are commanded by Christ to rush to their rescue- to feed them, to clothe them, to give them something to drink. (Matt 25:34 – 40, Matt 10:42) We know that God wants to save this country from death and destruction, and we are called to help Him carry out His plan!(Isaiah 1:17)
But it doesn’t stop there.
We don’t want to just “save” them from death. We don’t want to just sustain the life they are living. We know that God has more for them, He wants to give them a hope and a future! (Jeremiah 29:11)
We have many plans, hopes, and dreams to help the people of Swaziland- especially the over 100,000 orphans AIDS has left behind. From food, water, clothing, medicine, discipleship, and education at carepoints, to building a children’s village in Nsoko, these plans are already taking shape. Now we need your help!
Help make these dreams a reality! Join us today and help us give these children a hope and a future.
