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Nkwalini Zone Four Orphan Care Point |
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Nkwalini Update The Ngculwini "Walter" Project Nkwalini Zone Four Orphan Care Point
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Update 22 August, 2008
During the intervening months since November 2007, there has been ongoing progress in developing the orphan care point in Nkwalwini Zone 4. Nick Mdluli and I have communicated by email which allows me to interject ideas and offer positive support to his committee and community.
There are now 117 children ages 1-16 being cared for in the care point. Unfortunately, one child died when he ate poison. Most of the children who are school age were able to go to school starting in January 2008.
There have been 3 gardens planted in the past 8 months providing a variety of vegetables and even herbs which are high in vitamins and minerals. This added garden food along with the porridge the children had been receiving is already improving their general health. The committee has acquired a large water storage bin to be used for the cooking and drinking water.
FAO directed by John Weatherson, emergency coordinator, and his crew remained active in assisting the gardeners until 31 July when the UN discontinued FAO emergency service in Swaziland. The community often expressed their thanks to John and his ‘gardener teacher’ Joao Mahlalela who taught them how to grow food for the orphan point and their own families. The food production has been great and varied, and allowed the group to take food to the homebound in their community. The people of the community have continued to work in the gardens and do the other needed tasks including cooking and day care for the children.
The International Tabernacle Church has been supportive to this community, and have been thanked by the people they helped, for their job well done. Various comfort issues were offered including a blanket for each child.
The caregivers were fortunate to be able to attend an education course, provided by UNICEF designed to help them care for the children. There are still heads of families who are children and need extra care. All the children need to be taught life skills and the caregivers try to incorporate that teaching in their daily activities.
Please see the pictures taken of the children, the gardens, blanket day, and other activities relating to the Nkalwini Ward 4 Orphan Care Point.
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